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Public Backs Afghan Troop Surge 47%-43%

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

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 28, 2009 11:21 AM CDT
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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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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
MrG
Oct 29, 2009 2:28 AM CDT
Obama is taking a lot of crap now but in the hindsight of history I believe he will have achieved many great things others have failed such as health care and better relations with other countries. Sure it would be wonderful if he could change all the bs that goes on in Washington, but lets get real folks , no one is going to change that system but I would like to think Obama has at least put some cracks in it. As to Afghanistan, where my son will soon proudly serve again, I believe an increase in troops is the only answer to getting some stability in that region = it is a war that will never be won in a tradional sense but it is more in the American interest to seek that than that disgrace of our imperialist attack on Iraq. Remember where the bastards who attacked us made their base camp.
freethemall
Oct 28, 2009 8:01 AM CDT
I tend to agree, dave jc.
davjc09
Oct 28, 2009 6:16 AM CDT
I'd agree with you, but I don't think it's just Obama. You get thumbed down for centrist/moderate views on almost any issue, bc you're either not conservative or liberal enough.
Politics • Health • US

 
Afghanistan • troop surge • poll • health care reform • poll numbers • public option • Afghanistan election

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