Not-so-United Nations

When announcing his nomination of Susan Rice as U.S.ambassador to the United Nations, President Obama described the organization as an “indispensable—and imperfect—forum.”

According to a recent Gallup poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans say the United Nations has been “doing a poor job trying to solve the problems it has had to face.” Only 26 percent say the organization is doing a good job—the lowest rating since Gallup first began asking the question more than 50 years ago. But 64 percent of Americans still favor a “leading” or “major” role for the organization in world affairs, compared to 30 percent who favor a “minor” role. Majorities of Republicans (58 percent), Democrats (73 percent), and independents (62 percent) all favor a “leading” or “major” role for the organization.

Source: The Gallup Organization, February 2009.