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Politics : American Presidential Politics and foreign affairs -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Peter Dierks who wrote (37774)	10/14/2009 3:43:48 PM
From: TimF	3 Recommendations Respond to of 71588

Americans, In Reversal, Now Back Afghan Troop Surge By SEAN HIGGINS, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILYPosted 10/13/2009 04:03 PM ET As President Obama mulls the military's request for a big troop build-up in Afghanistan, Americans have swung in favor of such a move, according to a new IBD/TIPP Poll. The survey of 927 adults found that a plurality of 48% favors sending more troops and resources to Afghanistan. That's a sharp reversal from September, when Americans opposed the idea, 55%-35%. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forc es in Afghanistan, has reportedly asked for another 40,000 troops to help control rising violence. But Obama is in no rush to make a decision, holding a series of high-level meetings with military and political advisers on his next move. And the upsurge in overall support for more troops in the IBD/TIPP Poll may not sway Obama. That's because the turnaround comes from a surge in support from Republicans — up 27 points just in October to 72%. A month ago, GOP respondents had leaned against sending more troops, 47%-45%. Independents narrowly support beefing up America's commitment to Afghanistan, 45%-42%. But Democrats say no more blood and treasure by 57%-32%. Many congressional leaders have signaled their reluctance to send reinforcements. "It is a very strange situation in that the president has more support from the opposition to send more troops," said Raghavan Mayur, president of Technometrica Market Intelligence, which conducted the survey. Respondents were evenly split on the question of whether the war in Afghanistan is winnable: 46% say it can be won, while 44% deem it a bridge too far. That is a turnaround from last month, when 50% said it was a lost cause. But the partisan split is evident here, too. Democrats are pessimists by a 54%-36% split, while Republicans expect victory by 2-to-1. Notably, independents lean toward the Democrats on this one, 48%-41%. Overall, Americans are split on Obama's handling of Afghanistan: 29% rate it good or excellent, while 35% rate it poor or unacceptable; 31% call it adequate. By a lopsided 70%-23%, respondents rejected this statement: "American troops should be withdrawn immediately from Afghanistan." That's up from 63%-30% in September... investors.com