Poll: Record number says terrorists are winning

More Americans believe today that terrorists are beating the U.S. and its allies than at any point since 9/11, according to a Monday poll.

About 40 percent of those polled say extremists currently have the edge in that fight, according to the CNN/ORC survey, and 18 percent say the same about the American-led coalition.

{mosads}Another 40 percent pick neither side, and 2 percent have no opinion.

The previous high for those saying the terrorists are winning was 22 percent in August 2006.

Americans are also nervous about the possibility of terrorists hurting their families, with more than 4 in 10 expressing that concern.

About 15 percent say they are “very worried” about terrorism hurting a family member; another 30 percent say they are “somewhat worried.”

Monday’s results also found that Americans are skeptical President Obama can protect them from extremism.

Just 17 percent say they “have a great deal” of confidence the Obama administration can shield the U.S. from terrorist attacks.

About 34 percent say they have “a moderate amount” of confidence, compared with 20 percent who say they have “not much” and 30 percent with “none at all.”

The pollsters reported that 45 percent think terrorists will always find a way of causing bloodshed regardless of government action. Another 53 percent say that the government can prevent attacks if it works hard enough.

CNN polled 1,018 adults via cellphone and landline Dec. 17–21. The survey has a 3 percentage point margin of error.

National anxieties about terrorism are running high following the mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., earlier this month. The massacre left 14 dead and 22 wounded on Dec. 2.