Poll: 53% approve of Obama's decision to replace McChrystal

Though most Americans approve of Obama’s decision to oust McChrystal, they don’t necessarily agree that removing the general from his duties was the best way to handle the matter. Specifically, 37% say Obama ideally would have reprimanded McChrystal but not removed him from his command, about the same as the proportion who say removing McChrystal was the best way to handle the situation (38%). Another 12% say Obama should not have taken any action against McChrystal. Fourteen percent do not express an opinion.

The vast majority (68%) of those who approve of Obama’s decision agree that removing McChrystal was the best way to handle the matter. Still, more than one-quarter of this group believe a lesser punishment would have been a better course of action. Those who disapprove of Obama’s ouster of McChrystal would generally have preferred that the president reprimand the general.