LI Patch Polls: On Syria Strike, The 'NOs' Have It

Written by Henry Powderly

Long Islanders polled by Patch this week left a resounding message for their representatives on the proposed U.S. attack on Syria: Vote No.

In fact, more than three-quarters of locals urged their representatives – Reps. Tim Bishop, D-Southampton, Steve Israel, D-Huntington, Carolyn McCarthy, D-Mineola, and Peter King, R-Seaford – to vote against military action, even though the Syrian regime likely launched a chemical weapons attack that killed more than 1,000 people, including 400 children.
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The results come one week after President Barack Obama said he would let Congress vote on a military response to Syria's chemical weapons attack, a move he supports. The commander-in-chief said the attack would send a message to Syria that the world would not tolerate the use of chemical weapons in war.

Since then, most polling has shown the war-weary American public does not support the president's plan, and so far more representatives are expected to vote 'no' than 'yes.'

On Long Island, we posted polls on Patch sites in each congressperson's district asking readers how they want their representative to vote.

The results were very similar across the Island.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy
Respondents: 248

• Yes - 16.53%
• No - 76.21%
• Undecided - 4.03%
• It's up to her - 3.23%

Rep. Steve Israel
Respondents: 225

• Yes - 19.11%
• No - 74.67%
• Undecided - 2.22%
• It's up to him - 4%

Rep. Tim Bishop
Respondents: 382

• Yes - 13.09%
• No - 82.72%
• Undecided - 1.57%
• It's up to him - 2.62%

Rep. Peter King
Respondents: 343

• Yes - 8.16%
• No - 86.88%
• Undecided - 1.75%
• It's up to him - 3.21%

King first criticized the president for not ordering strikes himself as commander-in-chief, but as of Saturday the South Shore Republican acknowledged than Congress may vote against the attack.

The vote is expected around Sept. 16.