Obama Clueless on Fighting ISIS (or Close to It), Say Most in Poll

President Barack Obama is clueless on plans for fighting ISIS, a majority of Americans believe, according to a new CBS News Poll taken after the Paris terrorist attacks and released on Monday.

One question dealt directly with the president's handling of the Islamic State, asking: "Do you think Barack Obama has a clear plan for dealing with ISIS militants, or not?" Of the total respondents, 66 percent said he does not have a clear plan, including 88 percent of Republicans, 45 percent of Democrats and 68 percent of independents.

Only 23 percent said they believe Obama has a clear plan, including 40 percent of Democrats, 19 percent of independents and seven percent of Republicans.

The poll was taken from Nov. 19-22 with 1,205 respondents, including Democrats, Republicans and independents, said CBS News.

ISIS took responsibility for attacks in Paris that killed more than 120 people on Nov. 13 involving several locations at nearly the same time, including assaults near a soccer stadium, a crowded concert hall and restaurants.

The poll came a day after Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev charged per  Interfax that the Islamic State gained strength "possibly partly due to irresponsible U.S. politics" that made it a priority of ousting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad rather and eliminating terrorism, said Bloomberg Business.

According to CBS News Poll, half the country now supports the use of ground troops in Syria and Iraq to battle the ISIS. The poll found 50 percent are okay with ground troops – 66 percent of Republicans, 43 percent of Democrats and 45 percent of independents – while 42 percent are against using ground troops, including 48 percent of Democrats, 46 percent of independents and 29 percent of Republicans.

The Obama administration has argued against extensive use of ground troops in Syria and Iraq to fight ISIS militants, claiming that diplomacy was needed instead to create long term change, said the Wall Street Journal.

"The lessons of the last decade show us that a U.S. ground force cannot impose stability or a new system of governance on countries ravaged by extremism and sectarianism — local forces have to do that, with our support," Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser, told the Journal.

Related Stories:

• Friday the 13th Terror in Paris: 10 Images of the World Mourning
  
• Isis Bookstore Vandalized: Colorado Shop Named After Goddess Now a Target