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No Appetite for Olympic Boycott in U.S.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Few Americans believe their country’s athletes should stay away from this year’s Beijing Olympics, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. Only 21 per cent of respondents support a boycott.
In addition, 31 per cent of respondents want U.S. president George W. Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies in Beijing, unless China makes major changes in its human rights policies.
On Apr. 8, the House of Representatives voted 413-1 to pass a resolution that criticized the Chinese government for its "disproportionate and extreme" response to recent protests. Republican Texas congressman Ron Paul was the lone dissenting voice in the lower house.
Last month, Reporters Without Borders called on heads of state and governments to boycott the opening ceremonies of this year’s Olympic Games as a way to underline China’s poor treatment of human rights. German chancellor Angela Merkel and Britain’s Prince Charles have said they will skip the opening events, while French president Nicolas Sarkozy has said he is considering his options.
On Apr. 13, U.S. national security adviser Stephen Hadley discussed his views on the issue, saying, "I think unfortunately, a lot of countries say, ‘Well, if we say that we are not going to the opening ceremonies, we checked the box on Tibet.’ That’s a cop-out. If other countries are concerned about Tibet, they ought to do what we are doing, through quiet diplomacy."
The torch relay stops in Paris, London and San Francisco were affected by protesters who condemned China’s human rights record and voiced support for Tibetan autonomy.
This year’s Olympics are scheduled to take place from Aug. 8 to Aug. 24. Boycotts affected the 1976, 1980 and 1984 games.
Polling Data
Should the United States athletes boycott the Olympics in China?
|
Yes |
21% |
|
No |
53% |
|
Not sure |
26% |
Should U.S. president George W. Bush boycott the opening ceremonies in Beijing, unless China makes major changes in its human rights policies?
|
Yes |
31% |
|
No |
45% |
|
Not sure |
25% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 800 likely American voters, conducted on Apr. 7 and Apr. 8, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.