Polling Memo: Voters on Benghazi

Benghazi: By the Numbers

A little over eight months ago, on September 11, 2012, terrorists attacked the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya killing four Americans including Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Since then, the Obama administration has been anything but transparent in the Benghazi investigation, constantly changing the narrative as to what was known and when.  And, while President Obama continues to dismiss these troubling findings as nothing more than “political circus,” here’s where the voters stand.

Fifty-three percent are dissatisfied with the “way the Obama administration has handled [Benghazi] in the past few months.” Among Independents, this numbers jumps to 58 percent. Another 59 percent believe the attacks were preventable. Fifty-eight percent of Independents agree.  And, while the electorate is relatively split when it comes to whether the Obama Administration has been honest on Benghazi, 48 percent of Independents are convinced they have been dishonest.

POLLSTER: ORC International for CNN

DATE: Conducted 5/14-18/2013

SAMPLE: Sampled 923 Adults; MoE ±3.0%

SOURCE: Q 18 & 21; http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2013/images/05/19/rel6a.pdf

POLLSTER: Pew Research Center

DATE: Conducted 5/9-12/2013

SAMPLE: Sampled 1,000 Adults; MoE ±3.7%

SOURCE: http://www.people-press.org/files/legacy-pdf/5-13-13%20Benghazi%20Release.pdf

Numbers show Obama in tough spot among IND as 48% believe Administration has been dishonest on #Benghazi. nrcc.org/2013/05/20/pol… #tcot

— Topline Translator (@ToplineReport) May 20, 2013