21% Say Vietnam Still An Enemy of U.S., 21% Say Ally

Eds Note:-->> Seldom do I comment on my articles here. But, forgive me as this survey just gets under my skin. Of course I don't agree with the 25% Republicans and 19% Democrats who still see Vietnam as an enemy. Enemy of what? We made up this war through lies and even the late Robert McNamara (like Rumsfeld/Iraq) admitted we were Wrong to invade Vietnam. He went to his grave this year along with 58,000 Americans and 100,000 or more Vietnamese who died because of American war against North Vietnam. When will we learn that War solves nothing? I made my point and I'm planning a Trip (my 3rd) for this year 2009 and early 2010 to Vietnam. Come meet the wonderful people of Vietnam, explore their culture with me. If you fall into the 25% that think Vietnam is an enemy, I challenge you to move away from your daily routine and JOIN ME. You can contact me here or ckuhn55@msn.com

For most Baby Boomers, the Vietnam War was a watershed moment, with the names of the dead memorialized on a black marble wall in Washington, D.C., and on similar monuments around the country. Thirty-four years after that war finally ended, Americans are evenly divided over whether Vietnam is an ally or still an enemy of the United States.

Twenty-five percent (25%) of Republicans see Vietnam as an enemy, a view shared by just 19% of both Democrats and voters not affiliated with either political party.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 21% say Vietnam is a U.S. ally, while the identical number (21%) say the Southeast Asian nation is an enemy. For nearly half of Americans (47%), however, Vietnam falls somewhere in between an ally and an enemy, and 12% are not sure.

Interestingly, Americans over the age of 50, those most likely to have been directly impacted by the war, are far less inclined to characterize Vietnam as an enemy and are more prone to view them as somewhere in between.

Those ages 18 to 29 are most likely (25%) to say Vietnam is an ally, while adults ages 30 to 39 are most likely (29%) to see the country as an enemy.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

Rasmussen Reports periodically surveys Americans for their thoughts on U.S. relations with other key nations, including neighbors Canada and Mexico and others overseas. We will be releasing additional findings from those surveys this coming week.

Given the Communist nation’s efforts to embrace capitalism in recent years, it’s perhaps no surprise that 24% of investors describe the former enemy nation as an ally of the United States, compared to 17% of non-investors.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of government employees say Vietnam is now an ally, but only 17% of those who work in the private sector agree.

It’s been years, however, since U.S. relations with Vietnam were front-page news which helps explain why in many demographic categories the number who are not sure is in double digits and also why so many think America’s one-time foe is neither ally nor enemy.

In a survey two years ago, 47% of U.S. voters said America’s biggest mistake in Vietnam was getting involved in the first place. Forty-two percent (42%) said the mistake was using the wrong strategy to accomplish the nation’s goals.

To show how times have changed, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last month signed a major treaty of cooperation with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and one of those members is Vietnam. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of voters approve of the way Clinton is performing as secretary of State.