Iran nuclear threat

* * * * FLASH TRAFFIC: WASHINGTON UPDATE * * * *

NEW POLL EXAMINES AMERICANS' FEARS OF IRAN NUCLEAR THREAT TO U.S. AND ISRAEL

By Joel C. Rosenberg

(Washington, D.C., May 22, 2009) -- A fascinating new poll by McLaughlin & Associates finds Americans are deeply and overwhelming concerned about the rising Iranian nuclear threat both to the U.S. and to Israel, and deeply concerned about the potential for Radical Islamic terrorists to acquire nuclear weapons from Iran. The poll also suggests the Obama administration's apparent strategy of backing away from a full-fledged alliance with Israel - and strategy to pressure Israel to make unwise territorial concessions and potentially not defend herself from the Iran threat - could backfire politically, both for the White House and for Members of Congress who sign on to the President's approach. Excerpts:
* Nine in ten voters (91%) say that Iran supplying a nuclear umbrella for terrorists is a serious threat to the United States
* Seven in ten voters (71%) say the United States will not be safe with a nuclear Iran
* Eight in ten voters (80%) say it is likely that Iran will launch a missile attack on Israel
* Three in four voters (77%) say it is likely that Iran will use the threat of nuclear attack to provide a shield for Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists to attack Israel
* The majority of voters approves of taking several specific actions to discourage the proliferation of nuclear weapons in Iran