Most Americans Think Price Was Too High for Bergdahl

56% in CBS poll don't like the trade for 5 Taliban members
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 10, 2014 12:26 PM CDT
Most Americans Think Price Was Too High for Bergdahl
This May 31 photo shows the parents of Bowe Bergdahl, Jani and Bob, with President Obama.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Americans generally aren't too pleased with the Bowe Bergdahl prisoner exchange, especially if they're veterans or Republicans, according to a new CBS poll. Specifically, most in the poll (56%) think the US paid too high of a price by exchanging five Gitmo detainees. Some highlights:

  • Disapprove: 45% disapprove of the deal in general, while 37% approve, and 18% don't have an opinion.
  • By party: 22% of Republicans approve of the deal and 65% disapprove; for Democrats, it's 53% vs. 27%; and for independents, 33% vs. 47%.

  • Veterans: 31% approve of the deal and 55% disapprove.
  • High price: 56% overall think the swap was too high of a price; the figure is higher among Republicans (75%) and veterans (65%) than Democrats (39%) and independents (58%).
A majority of respondents (72%) think President Obama should have notified Congress before making the deal, and Politico reports that the White House was sending seven representatives to Capitol Hill today for a closed-door briefing with senators to try to smooth things over. The session comes ahead of tomorrow's open hearing in the House. (More Bowe Bergdahl stories.)

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