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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 POLL NUMBERS 
12

Public Backs Afghan Troop Surge 47%-43%

....and majority support holding off on decision until after runoff

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(Newser) – Public support for a troop surge in Afghanistan is surging, too, according to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll. Support for a troop increase edged out opposition 47% to 43%, after trailing opposition 44% to 51% last month. But 58% also support waiting until after the runoff election to make the decision on sending more troops; a timetable for which Republicans have blasted Barack Obama.

On health care, it’s a good news/bad news story for Democrats. The good news: the majority support a public option, by a 48-42 margin. The bad news: the public opposes the overall plan 42%-38%, and overall faith in government is at a 12-year low. “I was hoping that business as usual was going to stop with the Obama administration,” said one respondent, “and so far I just haven’t seen that.”

Graphic shows the number of US troops in Afghanistan through this month; it's nearly doubled since last year.
Graphic shows the number of US troops in Afghanistan through this month; it's nearly doubled since last year.
US helicopters of the International Security Assistance Force, arrive in Badghis province, Afghanistan, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008.
US helicopters of the International Security Assistance Force, arrive in Badghis province, Afghanistan, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
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12 comments
VIEWING:
 
IggyJack
Oct 28, 09 11:22 AM CDT
Hm, revise the healthcare plan to where the public backs the whole thing and then go forth and vote. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
freethemall
Oct 28, 09 11:30 AM CDT
right on!
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
davjc09
Oct 28, 09 11:27 AM CDT
"I was hoping that business as usual was going to stop with the Obama administration,” said one respondent, “and so far I just haven’t seen that.” ---- that has been my major knock on Obama. I voted for him bc of this and I have felt duped so far. Not saying he hasn't or can't do some good in Washington, but he promised a lot more common sense governing and hasn't really come through on that. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
IN RESPONSE:
freethemall
Oct 28, 09 11:48 AM CDT
I voted for Obama also, but I didn't expect he would work miracles. I knew the "Obamamania" that was happening during the campaign was fostering over-expectations. The man is mortal, after all, but he's, nevertheless, a significant improvement over his predecessor.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
davjc09
Oct 28, 09 12:33 PM CDT
I didn't expect him to work miracles, per se. But I thought the whole transparency issue would have been an easy thing to accomplish. Also, I felt that he was going to be at least a cut above the partisan bickering. But the constant 'blaming Bush' tactics are starting to wear then. I get it, he's a screw up. A 10 year old merely by sheer luck would govern the country better than Bush. McCain could've just as easily been better than Bush. My main gripe is that I just haven't seen any evidence from Obama that proves that he's any different from any other clown in Washington.
Vote up! Vote down!
+4

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