Poll: U.S. Public Distrusts Russia

We noted yesterday some findings from Rasmussen that placed Russia low on the totem poll when it came to threats to the United States. Today they're out with fresh numbers on the issue of whether Russia will honor its arms control commitments:

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of voters do not think the Russians will honor the agreement to cut their nuclear weapons arsenal. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure what the Russians will do.

Seventy-four percent (74%) of Republicans and 51% of voters not affiliated with either major party don’t trust the Russians to honor the agreement. Democrats are more conflicted: 30% believe the Russians will honor the agreement, 40% don’t, and 30% are not sure.

Seventy percent (70%) of conservatives do not trust the Russians, while liberals are evenly divided on the question.

When we look at the trajectory of U.S.-Russia post Cold War relations, some people tend to express disappointment that the two countries haven't put the relationship on a better footing. But six decades worth of constant hostility and tension on both sides is not easily reversed.