China has replaced North Korea as one of the top three U.S. enemies, according to a poll of Americans.

Iran topped the list, with 25 percent naming it when asked which country is the greatest U.S. enemy, according to the Gallup Poll. Iraq came next at 22 percent, then China with 14 percent.

From the Washington Post report on the poll results. Once again, there are real world consequences to China bashing in the press and by politicians. People actually listen and read, and when you see on CNN that everyone’s hotel room in Beijing this summer will be crammed full of listening devices, it tends to make Americans think that they should be worried about this country.

You know, with the steady drumbeat of scary rhetoric coming out of D.C. with respect to Iran, it’s amazing that China is perceived as a greater enemy. Moreover, why would the country of Iraq, whose government is working quite closely with the U.S. military, be considered an enemy? All good questions, no good answers.