Poll Watch: 62 Per Cent Say President Obama Should NOT Meet with Iran Until It Stops Its Nuclear Weapons Program

Sixty-two percent (62%) of U.S. voters say Iran should be required to stop developing its nuclear weapons capabilities before a meeting is allowed between the Iranian president and the president of the United States, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

This finding is up six points – from 56% – in late January just after President Obama signaled a willingness to talk to his Iranian counterpart without preconditions. A year ago, 59% agreed with the Bush administration position that Iran must stop its nuclear weapons program before direct talks were possible.

Just 23% of voters now say a meeting between the two presidents should go ahead without any preconditions, and 15% are not sure.

Eighty percent (80%) of Republicans and 60% of voters not affiliated with either major party believe Iran must first halt its nuclear weapons production. Democrats are more closely divided, with 49% favoring this precondition but 31% saying it’s not necessary.

Conservatives are nearly twice as likely as liberals to say Iran must halt its nuclear weapons program before talks between Obama and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are possible.

Of course, Iran, which sits on an ocean of oil, denies it is enriching uranium for weapons production. But, remember Obama during the campaign promised to talk to Ahmadinejad and the Mullahs without preconditions and then backed away from his statement.

Where Obama stands today is anyone’s guess?

But, American voters clearly vote for pre-conditions.