A new Zogby Poll® of 859 likely voters nationwide, conducted from 5/21/19-5/23/19, with a margin of sampling error of +/-3.3 percentage points, shows a majority of likely voters agree that if Iran or its proxies attacked the U.S. or its allies, the U.S. should take military action against Iran. In a separate question, a plurality of likely voters agree that the Mueller report has vindicated the president and feel it's time to move on.
Overall, 64% (34% strongly/30% somewhat) agreed that if Iran (or its proxies) attacked the United States or its allies, we should go to war with Iran. Only 19% disagreed (strongly and somewhat disagree combined) about declaring war on Iran if the U.S. or its allies were attacked; 17% of likely voters were not sure.
A majority of most sub-groups agreed that the U.S. should declare war if attacked, but the level with which they agreed varied; for example, younger voters aged 18-29 were less enthusiastic about war with Iran (53% agree/25% disagree) than voters aged 65+ (70% agree/21% disagree).
More Republicans (83% agree/8% disagree) than Democrats (57% agree/26% disagree) felt that if Iran or its proxies attacked the U.S., we should declare war. Independents (51% agree/23% disagree) were similar to Democrats in this respect.
The groups who were least likely to agree with going to war with Iran were Generation Z (aged 18-24) and liberal voters. A third of liberals disagreed with a declaration of war if attacked, and almost half (48%) agreed, while 28% of Generation Z voters (aged 18-24) disagreed and half agreed.
We asked survey respondents "Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: The Mueller report has vindicated President Trump of any wrongdoing and I am ready to move on with my life." Overall, a 36% plurality of likely voters strongly agreed with the statement above and almost half agreed overall (strongly and somewhat agree combined) compared to 40% of likely voters who said they disagreed (strongly and somewhat disagree combined).
Responses were split heavily down partisan lines. Half (54%) of Democrats strongly disagreed that the Mueller report exonerated the president, while two-thirds (68%) of Republicans strongly agreed the Mueller reported vindicated Trump. Independents were split, as 42% agreed and 39% disagreed; 19% of Independents said not sure. This pattern also repeated itself with the ideology of surveyed respondents. Liberals (20% agree/69% disagree) and conservatives (78% agree/15% disagree) had very strong reactions to the question compared with moderates (40% agree/47% disagree).
Other sub-group responses were less polarized. For example, a plurality of voters aged 18-29 (44%) strongly and somewhat agreed that the Mueller report vindicated President Trump, while voters aged 65+ were more evenly split (49% agree/46% disagree) as to how they processed the Mueller report. A majority (53% agree/39% disagree) of men reported "Mueller fatigue," while a small plurality of women (43% agree/41% disagree) agreed the report vindicated the president.
Race played a significant factor in how likely voters interpreted the Mueller report. White voters (53% agree/38% disagree) were much more likely to agree (strongly and somewhat agree combined) that the Mueller report exonerated the president. Hispanics (42% disagree/38% agree) and African Americans were slightly more likely to disagree (47% disagree/30% agree).
There was a slight difference in opinion about the Mueller report findings when it came to the region where voters lived. Voters in the central/great lakes (51% agree/38% disagree) and western regions (58% agree/31% disagree) were much more likely to have said the Mueller report vindicated the president. Voters living in the eastern U.S. were most likely to disagree (52% disagree/35% agree).
Gender and the type of environment people lived in also correlated with how they felt about the Mueller report and its implications for the president. While a plurality in all types of cities (large, medium and small) agreed that the Mueller report vindicated the president and they were ready to move on with their lives, there were differences in how men and women felt specifically about this issue. Urban men agreed (56% agree/36% disagree) more than urban women (44% agree/41% disagree), while suburban men (47% agree/44% disagree) agreed more than suburban women (35% agree/46% disagree). A majority of both rural men (56% agree/38% disagree) and women (52% agree/34% disagree) agreed they were ready move on with their lives when it came to the Mueller report.
The groups who felt the strongest about the Mueller report findings exonerating the president were also groups who were more favorable toward the president and his policies: NASCAR fans (68% agree/26% disagree), Social networkers (50% agree/37% disagree) and frequent Walmart (56% agree/30% disagree) and Amazon shoppers (51% agree/39% disagree) all sided with the president and his interpretation of the Mueller report.
The Takeaways
Even as conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq continue, Americans aren't entirely against more involvement in the Middle East. A majority of likely voters support the U.S. declaring war on Iran, if they attacked first. This result was consistent among most sub-groups.
When interpreting the Mueller report and whether they want to move on with their lives, voters largely follow party cues. Still, a plurality of all age and income groups, men, women, Independents, and all city voters felt the Mueller report vindicated the president and said they were ready to move on with their
Although the poll was taken before Mueller's press conference, little will probably change in voters' minds. Some partisans might dig in their heels even more.
Democrats must decide if they want to pursue impeachment based on their interpretation of the Mueller report. Right now a plurality of voters report "Mueller fatigue." Democrats might overplay their hand by pursuing impeachment based on the Mueller report findings, only to hurt their chances at taking back the Senate and white house in 2020.