GOP Pollster, with Likud link, suggests majority of Americans support PM's congress speech
Furthermore, 67% of those polled said they believed that if the Iranians obtain a nuclear weapon, they would use it against Israel or the US.
By JPOST.COM STAFFPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses US Congress in 2011(photo credit: REUTERS)
A new poll conducted by a Republican pollster with links to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign suggests that a majority of Americans support his speech before Congress on the issue of Iranian nuclear negotiations.According the poll, which was conducted by McLaughlin & Associates and obtained by Politico, 50 percent said they support Netanyahu's controversial speech before Congress, 23% opposed it and 18% said they don't know.Additionally, the poll, which was conducted from February 13th to 17th, found that 76% said that Iran must be prevented from ever getting a nuclear weapon, 79% said that any deal that could help Iranians get a nuclear weapon should require both the president's and Congress' approval.Furthermore, 67% of those polled said they believed that if the Iranians obtain a nuclear weapon, they would use it against Israel or the US.The poll has received some criticism for its question framing. For example, the main question of the poll is: "President Obama and some Democrats think it should be cancelled because it is 2 weeks before an Israeli election. Israeli Prime Minister wants to speak to the American Congress to try to stop a deal that would give Iran a nuclear weapon. These negotiations are set to conclude 3 weeks after the Prime Minister’s speech. Knowing all of this is true, do you support or oppose Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to Congress on March 3rd?”The phrasing of the question and line of reasoning it takes, seems to guide readers to supporting the speech.Furthermore, the source of the poll is suspect. The CEO for McLaughlin & Associates John McLaughlin, is part of the advisory team for Netanyahu in the upcoming elections.This poll comes in the wake of a CNN poll that had a contradictory conclusion. According to CNN's poll, 63% oppose the speech, while 33% believe it is proper.
