US News

Obama’s foreign policy approval rating drops to new low

WASHINGTON – Approval of President Obama’s handling of foreign policy hit a new low in a new poll as his responses to turmoil around the globe are under attack.

Only 37 percent of those questioned in the latest Wall Street Journal / NBC poll said the president was performing well on the foreign policy front.

And a clear majority — 54 percent — said they believe believe Obama can no longer lead the country and get the job done for the rest of his term.

The poll was conducted before a major assault across Iraq made major international news, and before Tuesday’s news that the US had nabbed a top ringleader of the Benghazi attack.

But those in the survey had time to absorb the controversial trade for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for five Taliban prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay. The poll also followed a high-profile standoff with Russia over its annexation with Crimea and the clash over Ukraine.

Respondents opposed the Bergdahl swap 44-30 percent.

Obama’s overall approval rating dropped to 41 percent, a three-point drop from two months ago in the poll.

“Whether it’s [Vladimir] Putin, Ukraine, the [problems at] VA hospitals, Bowe Bergdahl, the events have controlled Obama, rather than Obama having controlled the events,” said Bill McInturff, who conducted the poll.