Poll Shows Lessening Support on Afghanistan

[tekisui]

Source: NYT

As President Obama prepares to address the nation Tuesday night to discuss his strategy for the war in Afghanistan, he faces a public that is increasingly skeptical of his handling of the situation there, broadly negative in its assessment of how things are going and doubtful that sending over more troops will improve the situation.

In a recent CBS News poll, just 38 percent of Americans said they approve of the way Mr. Obama is managing the war, down 6 points since September and 20 points since April. That’s a new low in either CBS News or New York Times polls.

Just 32 percent of independents and 23 percent of Republicans approve. More Democrats approve, 57 percent, but that’s hardly a resounding number from members of his own party.

Just 23 percent in the CBS News poll say the war is going well, also a new low and down 12 points since September. The large majority, 69 percent, say it is going badly. In a rare show of agreement, the dour outlook crosses all party lines, with two-thirds or more of Republicans, Democrats and independents saying it is going badly.

While officials say the president plans to announce sending an additional 30,000 or so troops to Afghanistan, most Americans in the poll do not support a troop increase. About one-third (32 percent) does, while about 4 in 10 (39 percent) say the number of troops should be decreased. Just 20 percent or 2 in 10 say troop levels should be kept the same.

Democrats are the least likely to support an increase – just 17 percent do, compared with 34 percent of independents and about half of Republicans.

more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/poll-shows-lessening-support-on-afghanistan/

[Mari333]

1. you listening Obama?

[FrenchieCat]

2. Yes, he heard.

90% approved of Bush's war in Afghanistan,
so I'm not big on polls.
Thankfully, neither is this President,
and he will put out a plan later on this evening,
to end the shit once and for all.....
as opposed to continuing to ignore the war Bush barely fought for 8 years,
while most folks didn't seem to mind.

[tekisui]

5. I guess you are part of the 17% of Dems who support the

escalation.

[Mari333]

6. Im putting all the Dem warmongers on ignore

ever thought Id have to do that on DU, tho.

[Soylent Brice]

3. K&R

[Thickasabrick]

4. LOL....ya think???? K&R

[anonymous171]

7. Why don't they just ask "Do you support the war?"

Are they afraid of the answer?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. 17% of Democrats/50% of Republicans support an increase. Which side is Obama on?

Without the support of his own party he is now turning to the Republicans.

Maybe he should pay attention to the Democrats rather than the Pentagon and his political "advisers" for a "change".