Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
A Reuters/Ipsos
poll of Americans shows a significant partisan divide over U.S. policy toward Iran. But the results also show the parties' rank-and-file to be internally divided. In the case of Republicans, that division is more than might be expected.
Of all the poll's respondents, 36 percent support the framework of a deal with Iran to curtail its nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. That includes 31 percent of Republicans, 50 percent of Democrats and 33 percent of independents.
But the percentage of "unsure"—46 percent of all those polled—shows just how soft the results are. The unsures include 39 percent of Democrats, 40 percent of Republicans and 45 percent of independents.
More encouraging is the fact that 60 percent of all respondents (54 percent of Republicans, 63 percent of independents and 72 percent of Democrats) say the United States should not become militarily involved in the Middle East unless it is directly threatened. That question might best have been coupled with one asking about existing U.S. involvement, but it is what it is.
Still more encouraging is that the bomb-bomb-bomb now-now-now crowd has truly marginal support. Just 7 percent of all respondents (5 percent of Democrats, 11 percent of Republicans and 6 percent of independents) support military force as the sole way the United States ought to use to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb.
But that's tempered considerably by the percentage of Americans who say both diplomacy and military force should be used for this purpose: 39 percent of all respondents, 35 percent of Democrats, 50 percent of Republicans and 42 percent of independents.
What's clear from responses to all 11 questions in the poll is that Americans are deeply divided on most issues relating to Iran and more uncertain about how the United States should act than they are on most issues. Those of us who believe diplomacy outweighs other options should take that uncertainty as a good opportunity for persuasion.
Support the Iran deal: Call your senator now.