Connect with us

Subscribe

Americas

Republicans Dislike Biden More Than Putin, New Poll Says

A new poll could rekindle debate over the extent to which Republicans support Russian President Vladimir Putin.

republicans support putin trump MAGA
A new survey raises questions over the extent to which Republicans support Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Image Credit: Taylor Herring)

Republicans are twice as likely to dislike U.S. President Joe Biden than Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a survey released today by the University of Maryland and Nielsen Scarborough. The poll results may rekindle debate over the extent to which Republicans support Putin.

The survey, conducted from March to May 2022, finds that 49 percent of Republicans selected Biden as their first choice for the national or world leader they disliked the most, compared to only 23 percent for Putin. North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi round out the top five, coming in at three to four percent each.

marjorie taylor greene republicans supporting putin
U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has been described by some of her critics as being part of the “Putin wing” of the Republican Party. (Image Credit: Gage Skidmore)

In contrast, a sizeable majority of Democrats (56 percent) selected Putin as their most hated leader, followed by former President Donald Trump at 31 percent.

Do Republicans Support Putin or Hate Biden?

The survey results point toward intensifying partisanship as a greater factor in U.S. domestic politics than explicit support for Putin. When queried about whether they approved or disapproved of specific Ukraine-related policy decisions, Republicans were sometimes twice as likely to view an action as favorable if it was described as having been taken by the “United States” instead of the “Biden administration.”

To be clear, there is disturbing sympathy for the Russian dictator in the Republican Party and broader American political right. Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney has attacked far-right fellow Republican members of Congress Madison Cawthorn, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Paul Gosar as members of “the Putin wing of the GOP.” And the rhetoric of Fox News host Tucker Carlson has increasingly resembled Kremlin talking points. Carlson is no anonymous 4Chan troll. He hosts America’s most-watched cable news show.

While the MAGA-wing of the GOP has isolationist tendencies and sympathy for Putin’s ultra-nationalist authoritarianism, the current Republican Party leadership has condemned Putin’s Ukraine invasion. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has dismissed Putin supporters within the GOP ranks as “lonely voices.” And, according to a YouGov/Yahoo News survey conducted in February, a majority of Republicans (67 percent) supported Ukraine over Russia (9 percent).

At the same time, Republican fatigue over support for Ukraine will probably grow as the war continues to drive inflation and potentially trigger a global recession. In the February YouGov/Yahoo News survey, less than a majority of Republicans believed it was in the U.S. interest to stop Russia and aid Ukraine. And 30 percent replied that the Russia-Ukraine war is “none of America’s business.” One can expect isolationism among the Republican party base to only grow.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

By submitting your info, you agree to our terms of use.

Written By

messi mls saudi arabia messi mls saudi arabia

Messi Heads to U.S. As Saudi Arabia Kicks off Bidding War With MLS

Americas

Can the Chinese yuan overtake the U.S. dollar as a global currency Can the Chinese yuan overtake the U.S. dollar as a global currency

Ukraine War Gives Chinese Yuan Boost Against U.S. Dollar

Asia

Prigozhin challenges Putin Prigozhin challenges Putin

How Yevgeny Prigozhin Could Threaten Putin From the Right

Russia

when will ukraine war end putin zelensky when will ukraine war end putin zelensky

Ukraine Takes the War Into Russia

Russia

China russia allies xi putin China russia allies xi putin

After Putin: How Russia Might Rethink Its Alliance With China

Russia

South Africa balancing Russia China and the US South Africa balancing Russia China and the US

How South Africa Balances China, Russia, and The West

Africa

What is the Euclid spacecraft What is the Euclid spacecraft

Euclid Spacecraft Will Transform How We View the ‘Dark Universe’

Space

Imran Khan released from jail Imran Khan released from jail

This Round Goes to Imran Khan

South Asia

NEWSLETTER

By submitting your information, you are agreeing to our terms of use.

Connect
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

By submitting your info, you agree to our terms of use.