63% Of Americans Concerned Russia May Use Nuclear Weapons, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 7 Out Of 10 Say U.S. Troops Should Get Involved If Russia Invades A NATO Country
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In a survey that began after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and concluded Sunday evening, a majority of Americans are voicing concern about Russia's nuclear weapons. In the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin referencing dire consequences facing any country that tries to counter the invasion, Americans say 63 - 32 percent that they are concerned that Russia may use nuclear weapons if NATO, which includes the United States, tries to interfere with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of adults released today.
Most of the survey was conducted before Putin announced Sunday that he was ordering Russian nuclear forces to be put on high alert.
Americans think 66 - 20 percent that Putin has intentions to invade other countries beyond Ukraine.
If Russia invades a NATO country, Americans say 70 - 21 percent that American troops should get involved.
Support has increased for President Biden's decision to deploy thousands of troops to Eastern Europe to support U.S. allies in NATO. Americans now support the decision 70 - 21 percent. In a February 16, 2022 Quinnipiac University Poll, they supported it 54 - 36 percent.
"American support for defending NATO countries surrounding Ukraine grows dramatically, but Americans cast a wary eye on the possible consequences. By more than three to one, they see Russia expanding its attack, and register deep concern over the darkest possible scenario, a nuclear attack on NATO and/or the United States," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
BIDEN
Americans give President Biden a negative 37 - 52 percent job approval rating with 11 percent not offering an opinion. That's compared to a negative 35 - 55 percent job approval rating in Quinnipiac University's February 16, 2022 poll.
In today's poll, registered voters give Biden a negative 38 - 52 percent job approval rating with 10 percent not offering an opinion. In February, registered voters gave Biden a negative 37 - 56 percent job approval rating.
Thirty-nine percent of Americans approve of Biden's handling of the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while 47 percent disapprove, and 14 percent did not offer an opinion. Among registered voters, 40 percent approve, while 47 percent disapprove, and 13 percent did not offer an opinion.
U.S. ACTIONS: RUSSIA, UKRAINE
A majority of Americans (57 percent) think the steps that the Biden administration has taken to punish Russia for the invasion of Ukraine are not tough enough, while 29 percent say they are about right, and 3 percent say they are too tough.
Democrats are split with 44 percent saying the steps are not tough enough, and 47 percent saying they are about right, with 2 percent saying they are too tough. On the other hand, 80 percent of Republicans and 56 percent of independents say the steps are not tough enough.
A plurality of Americans (45 percent) think the United States is doing too little to help Ukraine, 37 percent think the U.S. is doing about the right amount, and 7 percent think the U.S. is doing too much to help Ukraine.
PUTIN
More than 8 in 10 Americans (81 percent) have an unfavorable opinion of Vladimir Putin, 4 percent have a favorable opinion, and 12 percent haven't heard enough about him.
Roughly half of Americans (49 percent) think Putin is mentally unstable, while 31 percent think he's mentally stable, and 20 percent did not offer an opinion.
Americans say 86 - 6 percent that Russia is not justified in making the claim that Ukraine should be reclaimed by Russia and no longer be a sovereign territory.
"By a large majority, Vladimir Putin is deeply disliked, his justification for attacking Ukraine is rejected and nearly half of Americans consider him mentally unstable," added Malloy.
SUPREME COURT PICK
Days after President Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, Americans say 48 - 22 percent that the U.S. Senate should confirm her to the Supreme Court, with 29 percent not offering an opinion.
1,364 U.S. adults nationwide were surveyed from February 25th - 27th with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.
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Email poll@qu.edu, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.
Poll Questions
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Question 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as president?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 37% 6% 74% 32% 32% 42% 55% 24% Disapprove 52 92 13 53 57 47 41 67 DK/NA 11 2 12 15 11 10 4 9 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 28% 44% 37% 42% 27% 42% 35% 50% 37% Disapprove 50 49 57 54 65 51 57 30 44 DK/NA 22 7 6 4 8 7 7 20 19 Mltry Hshld Approve 29% Disapprove 64 DK/NA 7 -
Question 1a. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as president? COMBINED WITH: (If approve/disapprove q1) Do you strongly or somewhat approve/disapprove?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve strongly 19% 4% 42% 13% 12% 24% 30% 12% Approve smwht 19 2 33 20 19 18 25 12 Disapprove smwht 8 5 5 13 10 6 5 8 Disapprove strongly 43 88 7 40 46 40 36 59 DK/NA 11 2 14 15 12 11 5 9 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve strongly 5% 18% 21% 32% 10% 25% 18% 24% 21% Approve smwht 23 25 16 10 17 16 17 26 15 Disapprove smwht 19 5 4 5 10 4 7 9 12 Disapprove strongly 31 44 53 48 54 47 50 21 30 DK/NA 23 8 6 5 8 7 8 20 22 Mltry Hshld Approve strongly 15% Approve smwht 14 Disapprove smwht 5 Disapprove strongly 58 DK/NA 7 -
Question 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 39% 11% 70% 39% 37% 42% 53% 28% Disapprove 47 81 17 45 51 43 37 59 DK/NA 14 8 13 16 13 15 9 13 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 37% 37% 41% 43% 32% 42% 37% 50% 43% Disapprove 43 47 52 46 57 46 51 28 40 DK/NA 20 15 7 11 11 13 12 22 17 Mltry Hshld Approve 30% Disapprove 58 DK/NA 12 -
Question 3. As you may know, President Biden approved the deployment of thousands of troops to Eastern Europe to support U.S. allies in NATO, such as Poland and Romania. Do you support or oppose that decision?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 70% 64% 85% 70% 73% 68% 82% 67% Oppose 21 27 11 22 20 22 13 23 DK/NA 9 9 4 7 7 10 5 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 68% 72% 68% 76% 76% 69% 72% 70% 72% Oppose 18 23 24 18 17 22 20 20 17 DK/NA 14 5 8 6 7 8 8 10 11 Mltry Hshld Support 73% Oppose 21 DK/NA 7 -
Question 4. Is your opinion of Vladimir Putin favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Favorable 4% 6% 1% 4% 6% 3% 1% 6% Unfavorable 81 79 91 80 79 83 95 79 Hvn't hrd enough 12 13 7 12 13 12 3 13 REFUSED 2 1 - 3 3 2 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 4% 8% 4% 2% 5% 3% 4% 7% 5% Unfavorable 77 73 83 91 83 86 85 67 79 Hvn't hrd enough 18 17 10 6 9 9 9 26 13 REFUSED 1 2 3 1 2 2 2 - 3 Mltry Hshld Favorable 7% Unfavorable 83 Hvn't hrd enough 9 REFUSED 1 -
Question 5. Do you think that Russia is justified in making the claim that Ukraine should be reclaimed by Russia and no longer be a sovereign territory, or don't you think that Russia is justified in making this claim?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Justified 6% 4% 5% 7% 7% 5% 2% 4% No 86 91 92 83 85 87 94 88 DK/NA 8 5 2 10 8 8 4 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Justified 10% 8% 3% 3% 4% 3% 3% 11% 10% No 81 80 93 92 90 91 90 79 80 DK/NA 8 12 5 5 7 6 6 11 10 Mltry Hshld Yes/Justified 9% No 85 DK/NA 6 -
Question 6. Do you think Russian President Vladimir Putin is mentally stable or mentally unstable?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Mentally stable 31% 32% 21% 36% 43% 20% 26% 31% Mentally unstable 49 54 63 43 39 58 55 51 DK/NA 20 14 16 21 18 21 20 18 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Mentally stable 35% 41% 30% 18% 39% 21% 29% 32% 31% Mentally unstable 46 39 51 64 43 61 52 47 46 DK/NA 19 21 18 17 18 19 18 21 23 Mltry Hshld Mentally stable 34% Mentally unstable 52 DK/NA 14 -
Question 7. Do you think the steps that the Biden administration has taken to punish Russia for the invasion of Ukraine have been too tough on Russia, not tough enough on Russia, or have they been about right?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Too tough 3% 2% 2% 2% 4% 3% - 5% Not tough enough 57 80 44 56 58 55 57 61 About right 29 11 47 28 27 30 35 23 DK/NA 11 7 6 13 11 12 7 11 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Too tough 6% 4% 2% 1% 4% 3% 4% 6% 3% Not tough enough 42 57 64 69 62 58 60 42 53 About right 37 27 27 24 24 30 27 41 30 DK/NA 15 12 7 5 10 9 10 11 14 Mltry Hshld Too tough 2% Not tough enough 66 About right 23 DK/NA 9 -
Question 8. Do you think the United States is doing too much, too little, or about the right amount to help Ukraine?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Too much 7% 6% 2% 8% 8% 6% 3% 8% Too little 45 61 38 45 47 44 49 48 About right 37 23 53 38 38 37 42 34 DK/NA 11 11 7 10 8 13 6 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Too much 7% 10% 6% 2% 6% 6% 6% 10% 6% Too little 37 47 52 48 50 47 48 28 40 About right 48 31 33 39 37 37 37 43 46 DK/NA 9 11 8 11 7 10 9 19 9 Mltry Hshld Too much 6% Too little 50 About right 33 DK/NA 11 -
Question 9. If Russia invades a NATO country, do you think American troops should get involved, or don't you think so?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Should 70% 69% 76% 72% 76% 65% 76% 68% No 21 25 16 21 18 24 17 23 DK/NA 9 7 8 7 6 11 7 9 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Should 73% 71% 72% 68% 77% 66% 71% 60% 73% No 19 22 20 21 16 24 20 28 19 DK/NA 8 6 8 11 7 10 8 11 7 Mltry Hshld Yes/Should 80% No 16 DK/NA 4 -
Question 10. Do you think Vladimir Putin has intentions to invade other countries beyond Ukraine, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Has intentions 66% 73% 72% 61% 61% 71% 66% 64% No 20 16 15 25 26 14 19 21 DK/NA 14 11 14 14 12 16 15 15 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Has intentions 65% 64% 68% 73% 58% 71% 65% 63% 76% No 23 24 19 13 28 13 20 25 18 DK/NA 12 12 13 14 14 16 15 12 6 Mltry Hshld Yes/Has intentions 67% No 17 DK/NA 16 -
Question 11. Vladimir Putin made reference to the dire consequences facing any country that tries to counter the invasion of Ukraine. Are you concerned that Russia may use nuclear weapons if NATO, which includes the United States, tries to interfere with the invasion, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Concerned 63% 65% 74% 57% 54% 71% 64% 62% No 32 31 23 39 42 23 31 33 DK/NA 5 4 3 4 4 6 5 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Concerned 63% 66% 62% 66% 52% 71% 63% 72% 65% No 33 30 35 28 44 23 32 25 30 DK/NA 4 5 2 6 4 6 5 3 5 Mltry Hshld Yes/Concerned 59% No 36 DK/NA 5 -
Question 12. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? U.S. politicians should refrain from criticism of U.S. policies during a foreign policy crisis that has sent American troops abroad.
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Agree 45% 40% 57% 43% 45% 46% 40% 42% Disagree 45 50 37 48 48 43 52 47 DK/NA 9 10 6 9 8 11 7 11 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Agree 41% 44% 50% 51% 38% 44% 41% 54% 54% Disagree 54 48 43 36 53 45 49 36 38 DK/NA 5 8 8 13 9 10 10 10 7 Mltry Hshld Agree 48% Disagree 42 DK/NA 10 -
Question 13. Are you concerned a long conflict in Ukraine will hurt you and your family financially, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Concerned 59% 68% 53% 61% 59% 60% 53% 55% No 36 31 42 34 37 35 43 40 DK/NA 4 1 5 4 4 5 3 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Concerned 54% 62% 63% 62% 54% 56% 55% 78% 61% No 43 36 35 32 42 40 41 18 37 DK/NA 3 2 3 6 4 5 4 4 2 Mltry Hshld Yes/Concerned 58% No 37 DK/NA 6 -
Question 14. As you may know, President Biden has nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Do you think the U.S. Senate should confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Should 48% 23% 78% 48% 47% 50% 63% 35% No 22 47 4 19 22 22 16 33 DK/NA 29 30 18 33 31 28 21 32 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Should 45% 50% 49% 51% 40% 49% 45% 71% 49% No 14 23 27 27 29 25 27 7 13 DK/NA 41 27 24 21 32 26 28 22 38