GOP widens advantage as party better equipped to fight terrorism

Except for two times in the past 12 years, the GOP has widely been regarded by Americans as the party better equipped to protect the U.S. from terrorism, but a new poll shows Republicans have the widest advantage since Gallup began polling on the question in 2002.

The Gallup poll shows 55 percent of Americans give Republicans the edge, compared to 32 percent for Democrats.

Here’s a closer look at the numbers:

From Gallup:

“The strong Republican advantage this year is most likely related to the increasing news coverage of ISIS and its beheadings of two American journalists. Although the Obama administration has initiated air attacks against terrorist positions in Iraq, the president’s widely quoted comments that he had “no strategy” for dealing with the issue may help explain why Americans have become less likely to say the Democrats could better protect the U.S. from terrorism and military threats.”