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Poll: Americans wary of Muslim world

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor June 2, 2009 09:56 AM

President Obama leaves tonight for a four-day trip to the Middle East and Europe on which the highest profile event will be a speech in Cairo reaching out to the Muslim world.

But a newly released poll suggests that when it comes to US-Muslim relations, he has a lot of work to do back home.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey found that only about 20 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Muslim countries, while 46 percent have an unfavorable view. That unfavorable number is up five percentage points from 2002 -- soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The respondents said that they believe people in Muslim countries have even more negative views of the United States, with nearly 80 percent saying that Muslims hold an unfavorable view.

Also, while 62 percent said they don't believe the US is at war with the Muslim world, 36 percent believe the US is at war with some Muslim countries.

The poll was conducted May 14-17 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

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As they should be. Obama better not go around apologizing anymore. Many in the Middle East hate the U.S.. So be it. Let them live in fear of us.

Posted by j.B. June 2, 09 10:21 AM
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It would do these racist Americans good to reach out to Muslims. I mean, if we weren't over there for decades stealing all their oil, occupying nations, killing civilians, pushing our capitalism, porn, and freewheeling sexuality down their throats they would feel differently toward us. Maybe then they wouldn't want to bomb us.

Posted by obamafan June 2, 09 11:09 AM
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I agree with j.B.!

Posted by Steve June 2, 09 11:31 AM
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Hey Obamafan, why don't you explain to us what race Islam is? Interfaith dialogue with Muslims has been going on for centuries. It changes nothing and now the problem has spread across the West. The problem with Islam existed before the US even existed. You might want to educate yourself. It is time to end all Muslim immigration.

BTW, point what oil we stole.....

Posted by Christopher June 2, 09 12:48 PM
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See yesterday's news of the shooting in Little Rock of 2 of our uniformed soldiers outside of a recruitment office by an Islamic extremist. What will President Obama said about that? I hear deafening silence.
Mainstream Islam must share some blame for not strongly denouncing the extremists and terrorists.
Also, as a woman I would never travel to an Islamic country. Their treatment of women is at least discriminatory and at worst horrific.

Posted by lynn burnett June 2, 09 01:36 PM
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I understand why Americans have this view. Muslims have been at war with the world for a thousand years, kidnapped Americans, bombed innocent people world wide, commit acts of piracy, strap bombs ON THEIR OWN CHILDREN to go kill other children, sexually mutilated young Muslim girls, and have killed and terrorized their own Muslim brethren.

Posted by Gordan Mathless June 2, 09 04:31 PM
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Obama represents a change in American white Christian supremacist ways. I welcome the new policy of President Obama of mutual interest and mutual respect with the Muslim world. American wars and medaling in the Muslim world is to blame for the mistrust. The world has changed and we can't just fight everyone and bully the world. We have to change the way we deal with other nations and problems that we face. Bigots like Christopher who say things like "stop all Muslim immigration" promote hate and unfortunately people who hold his beliefs are no longer in power. Wake up.

Posted by Michael kimball June 2, 09 08:26 PM
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