Gallup: Americans Agree With Petraeus Decision To Resign

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM



KYLE LEIGHTON 1:21 PM EST, TUESDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2012

A majority of Americans say former head of the CIA Gen. David Patraeus's decision to resign after a sex scandal was a necessary one, according to a new poll from Gallup released Tuesday. Fifty-one percent said Patraeus had to go, while 41 percent say he should have remained in his position. Fifty-six percent of Republicans, 50 percent of Democrats and 49 percent of independent voters said Patraeus had to resign.

Patraeus's personal favorability rating has also fallen. In March of 2011, 55 percent of Americans had a favorable view of the former general, while 11 percent had an unfavorable one. That split is now 40 percent favorable, 30 percent unfavorable. From Gallup:

Petraeus has been a significant figure in U.S. foreign policy in recent years, first overseeing the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and then serving as director of the CIA. His career in government now appears over after the revelation of his extramarital affair, and his public image has suffered as well. Still, Americans are more likely to view him positively than negatively, suggesting they may put more weight on his military and political service and accomplishments and less on personal scandal.

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The Gallup poll used 1,009 live telephone interviews with Americans via landlines and cell-phones conducted Nov. 15-18. It has a sampling error of 4 percent.

Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/gallup-americans-agree-with-petraeus-decision-to-resign

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. No shit

...

[groundloop]

2. Yeah, and Gallup showed Mittens leading popular vote too.

And besides, what the hell does it matter what popular opinion is on this? What's done is done. I wonder if Gallup does a poll to see who believes the sun will come up in the morning.

[fightthegoodfightnow]

3. Gallup?

Really? How many Presidential elections do they have to be wrong about before their credibility is called into question.

They may be right about Petraeus but they have been wrong about so much it calls into question their methology.

[lexw]

4. Everytime I see the word Gallup I roll my eyes.

I hope the majority of the world feels the way I do about them.

[adieu]

5. Why are we listening to Gallup?

I wouldn't trust any polls they conduct from now on.

[SDjack]

6. Ha ha ha -- you said "Gallup". But how do we know

really what the American people are thinking?

[SoapBox]

7. I don't usually agree with Gallup but...

I absolutely agree with the resignation.

I'm sick and tired of these "High and Powerful" types, being able to do shit like this and then cry boo-hoo because they were so good at their job. ESPECIALLY when they belong to the Puke Party (no, I'm not saying that Dems can do crap like this either!)

WELL, dudes, keep it zipped and if you are SO desperate to get "it" off, have sex with your WIFE...OR...ever hear of a hand?????? YA, the cold truth sometimes hurts.

I'm sick of all the defenders!

He needed to go...He BROKE a trust to us and his wife/family. You wanted a girl friend? Get a divorce first.

Stop defending this idiot.

[CoboWowbo]

8. Based on no facts...

I'm going guess these are the real numbers:

"Had to go"
52% Republicans
54% Democrats
52% Indie

"should have remained"
40%

[Ash_F]

9. I think he should resign

for his war crimes, then go to jail.

[ballaratocker]

10. His indiscretions do not morally offend me.

Like Clinton, who cares? I do think though due to the position he is in, there may have been potential for him to be blackmailed or ways outside threats to get to him. I will also put a big maybe on that as I'm not an intelligence expert.