How did public opinion of U.S. foreign policy change from the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations? In what ways did foreign policy impact presidential approval ratings and presidential behavior?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers should identify how public opinion of the Clinton administration’s performance on foreign policy issues was low, but presidential approval ratings remained high. In addition, answers should identify the ways in which Clinton seemingly made foreign policy decisions based on public opinion. Responses should identify high evaluations of Bush’s foreign policy after the 9/11 attacks and acknowledge how it dropped in responses to the Iraq war and mishandling of foreign affairs. Answers should also acknowledge how Bush sometimes seemingly ignored public opinion (such as when he decided to invade Iraq without a UN Security Council Resolution). Lastly, answers should identify how public opinion reflects that many citizens feel the Obama administration has been too passive on foreign policy crises and how presidential approval ratings have decreased over his term. Answers may identify cases such as Syria as reflections of how public opinion may have impacted Obama’s decision-making.