Public Support Turns Against Libya Action

New poll marks a near-reversal since March
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 24, 2011 7:12 AM CDT
US Libya Involvement: As House Vote Looms, New Poll Shows US Public Disapproves of Involvement
A Libyan youth flashes the victory sign during a demonstration after Friday prayers in Misrata, Libya, Friday, June 17, 2011.   (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Since the US involvement in Libya began in March, public opinion has just about reversed: 46% of respondents in a new Gallup poll disapprove of the action and 39% approve. The poll comes as the House of Representatives is expected to vote today to strip funding for the operation, though the Washington Post notes any such vote will be largely symbolic as the Senate will likely not approve it.

A full 64% of those who disapprove in the latest poll oppose the conflict on principle—only 29% oppose it specifically because the president did not get congressional approval. Back in March, the approval rate for the mission was 47% and disapproval was at 37%, USA Today reports. In both polls, the remainder of respondents had no opinion. (More Libya stories.)

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