Since this is the big dividing line between the two leading primary contenders in national polling and fundraising, it's only fair to see where most Kossacks actually stand on the issue.
In order to do that, it's a simple matter of answering the question as asked.
The question below the fold.
The question:
In 1982, Anwar Sadat traveled to Israel, a trip that resulted in a peace agreement that has lasted ever since. In the spirit of that type of bold leadership, would you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?
So, the poll choice will be to answer the question exactly as asked.
Should a president be willing to meet with such hostile leaders without precondition during his/her first year in office?
The following words are not part of the question:
"commit"
"promise"
"unconditionally"
"without preparation"
As a matter of passing interest,
a majority of Democrats and a plurality of Americans answered affirmatively to this misleading formulation of the question:
Forty-two percent (42%) of Americans say that the next President should meet with the heads of nations such as Iran, Syria, and North Korea without setting any preconditions. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% disagree while 24% are not sure.
That question came up during last Monday’s Presidential Debate with Illinois Senator Barack Obama saying he would commit to such meetings and New York Senator Hillary Clinton offering a more cautious response. Democrats, by a 55% to 22% margin, agree with Obama. Clinton and Obama continue to dominate the race for the Democratic Presidential nomination.
(Note, this is the last time I will diary this topic. I hope.)