Refugees, Security, Politics, Obama and Carson

The Bloomberg poll showing that 53% of Americans want the US to stop taking in Syrian refugees is part of a Bloomberg Politics National Poll released Wednesday showing the US divided on whether to send troops to Iraq and Syria to fight ISIS, opposed by President Obama, and on whether the government is doing enough to protect the US from terrorist attacks. Terrorism and ISIS jumped to the top of Americans’ concerns after the Paris attacks. The percentage rating terrorism or ISIS as top concerns has doubled since the last poll in September. At the same time, those who think the US is on the right track fell to 23%, the lowest rating in more than three years. Obama’s disapproval rating rose to 51%, up from 47% in September. Terror (14%, up from 7%) and ISIS (21%, up from 11%), are cited by a combined 35% of Americans as the top issue in the poll conducted November 15 to 17. That’s equal to the combined concerns about jobs, immigration, health care and the federal deficit. And, despite ongoing tension between the US and Russia, a surprising 53% of Americans favor a US-Russia military coalition to fight Islamic terrorism, even while Americans are divided about whether to send US troops to Iraq and Syria to fight ISIS (44% for and 45% against), or about whether the US has done enough to protect America from a Paris-style attack -- 64% of Republicans support sending US troops and 59% of Democrats oppose it -- while Democrats are twice as confident as Republicans that the US is doing enough to protect Americans at home. ~~~~~ On the refugee question, only 12% of Republicans want to keep the current program compared with 46% of Democrats. While 64% of Americans agree that Islam is inherently a peaceful religion, 46% of evangelicals say Islam is inherently violent, while 45% of evangelicals call Islam an inherently peaceful religion with some adherents who twist its teachings to justify violence. ~~~~~ These national trends may explain why House Republicans and 47 Democrats voted on Thursday, 289 to 137, to approve a bill requiring new screening requirements for refugees from Syria and Iraq before they can enter the US. The 47 Democrats who defied President Obama’s veto threat and backed the bill included centrists, those in tough reelection races and even one member of leadership, Representative Steve Israel, who heads the House Democrat communications effort. Two Republicans voted against the bill - Representatives Walter Jones (N.C.) and Steve King (Iowa). The bill will now go to the Senate, where it faces a tougher future. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid vowed to block the House bill if it is considered by the Senate : “The problem is not with refugees. I don’t think we’ll be dealing with it over here.” When asked about an Obama veto, Reid said, "Don’t worry, it won’t get passed. Next question?” ~~~~~ Dear readers, top Obama administration officials, in the hours before the vote, couldn't convince the 47 House Democrats to oppose the bill. The administration touts the vetting process, saying it now typically takes more than a year for each refugee. But, FBI Director James Comey said in an October hearing that some gaps remain in the administration’s ability to fully vet each refugee applicant. One thing is clear. If the House bill is blocked in the Senate, the House GOP will consider using the omnibus federal spending bill, attaching a rider blocking funding for the refugee program until stiffer controls are agreed. This raises the possibility of a Congress-Obama showdown and a partial federal shutdown. Congress must pass funding legislation by December 11. Obama may veto the spending bill, forcing a shutdown to try to make the GOP look bad with voters. But, Americans' real fears about ISIS/ jihadist terrorism may backfire, with a veto override forcing Obama to back down and agree to tighter controls. The next three weeks will give a preview of some 2016 presidential election fault lines. (NO, Dr. Carson, Syrians aren't dogs - a Moslem insult. Their entry into the US just needs to be halted to help keep Americans safe.)