As Ukrainian civilians fight for their sovereignty from Russian invaders, a new Quinnipiac poll released Monday shows that the majority of American Democrats would leave the country if they found themselves in a similar conflict, while a majority of Republicans and Independents would stay and fight.
The poll asked Americans: “If you were in the same position as Ukrainians are now, do you think that you would stay and fight or leave the country?”
An overall majority, 55 percent, said they would stay and fight, whereas 38 percent said they would leave the country.
When broken down by political affiliation, 68 percent of Republicans said they would stay and fight, while 25 percent would flee and 57 percent of independents would stay and fight, while 36 percent would flee.
Unlike the majority of Republicans and Independents, most Democrats – 52 percent — said they would flee the country, while 40 percent said they would stay and fight.
“When confronted with a terrible hypothetical that would put them in the shoes of the Ukrainians, Americans say they would stand and fight rather than seek safety in another country,” said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
Quinnipiac also asked Americans if they support a U.S. military response if Russian President Vladimir Putin sends troops beyond the borders of Ukraine and into NATO countries. A strong majority — 79 percent — supported such U.S. military action, compared to 14 percent who disapproved.
Americans also believe 60-28 percent that Putin would use nuclear weapons against NATO nations.
“Russians are largely in the dark about and unable to halt the destruction being wrought by Putin, say Americans who see the Russian leader as mentally unstable. And half of Americans liken Putin to modern history’s darkest villain, Adolf Hitler,” Malloy added.
When it comes to President Joe Biden, Americans are divided on how the president has handled the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with 42 percent approving, 45 percent disapproving, and 13 percent not offering an opinion.
One week ago, Americans approved of Biden’s job regarding the invasion at a rate of 39 percent, while 47 percent disapproved.
Americans also slammed Biden with “a negative 38 – 51 percent job approval rating with 11 percent not offering an opinion.”
“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,” the poll stated.