Here are some poll numbers released by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
Seventy-two percent (72%) of U.S. voters say the United States should take more military action to prevent further piracy against American and other ships off Africa's east coast.
Twelve percent (12%) are opposed to any further U.S. military action against the pirates, and 16% are not sure, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
There is very little partisan disagreement on this question. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of both Republicans and voters not affiliated with either major party support more military action against the pirates, as do 63% of Democrats.
Nearly nine-out-of-10 voters (89%) nationwide approve of President Obama's decision to use Navy SEALs to rescue U.S. commercial ship captain Richard Phillips by killing his Somali pirate kidnappers. Phillips was being held hostage after the pirates botched an attempt to hijack his ship. Just three percent (3%) disapprove.
Ninety-six percent (96%) of Republicans, 91% of unaffiliateds and 83% of Democrats approve of the decision to rescue the captain by killing the kidnappers.
Phillips was rescued on Sunday after SEAL snipers shot three of the pirates when it looked like the captain's life was in danger. The survey was taken Sunday and Monday nights. Since Phillips was freed, Somali pirates have seized several other ships for ransom and made an unsuccessful attempt to capture another U.S. commercial ship.
However, 57% of voters believe the recent action by the United States to kill the Somali pirates will decrease pirate activity in the region. Sixteen percent (16%) say it will increase pirate activity, and 14% say the U.S. action will have no impact.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) also are at least somewhat concerned that the American rescue of the captain will endanger other hostages in that area. News reports say up to 300 hostages and 19 ships are current being held for ransom by pirates in the Gulf of Aden and further south off of Somalia.
Thirty-six percent (36%) of voters are not very or not at all concerned that the U.S. action puts the other hostages at risk.
There clearly was a high level of interest in the pirate story. Ninety percent (90%) of voters say they followed news stories about the pirates kidnapping the U.S. captain at least somewhat closely, with 56% following Very Closely. Just one percent (1%) say they weren't following at all.
Forty-six percent (46%) of voters give the president good or excellent marks on his handling of national security this week, with 30% rating his performance as poor.
But in a survey taken Saturday and Sunday nights, both before and after Phillips' rescue, voter confidence in America's handling of the War on Terror rebounded slightly. These are his lowest ratings in this area since Election Day.
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To view a copy of the original report, please us this link: Shiver Me Timbers!