Poll: Split on Troop Levels in Afghanistan

Americans are evenly divided on what should happen with U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan, a new CBS News survey finds, with 37 percent backing an increase and 38 percent favoring a decrease. Another 17 percent want troop levels kept where they are now.

Democrats are more likely to want troop levels reduced, while Republicans want them increased. Independents are divided.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Afghanistan

With the war entering its ninth year, the Obama administration is enmeshed in an intense evaluation of the war in an effort to decide if it should add troops in addition to the 68,000 already stationed there, and, if so, how many.

The top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, has suggested that the mission risks failure unless the United States adds an additional 40,000 troops; top administration officials, including Vice President Joe Biden, have reportedly advocated a counterterrorism strategy that doesn't rely on a troop serge.

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As questions have swirled over the U.S. strategy going forward, President Obama has a slide in his approval ratings on his handling of the situation in Afghanistan. In April, 58 percent approved of his handling of the conflict; by August, that number had fallen to 48 percent. In the most recent survey it has hit its lowest level yet, 42 percent.

(CBS)

Thirty-four percent, meanwhile, say they disapprove of the president's handling of Afghanistan, while roughly one in four don't have an opinion. Among Republicans, the president's approval rating on the issue has dropped almost thirty points since April.

Fifty-one percent of those surveyed say the U.S. is doing the right thing by fighting the war in Afghanistan, a slight increase from last month. Thirty-nine percent say the country is not. Republicans are far more likely to say the U.S. is doing the right thing in Afghanistan than Democrats.

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(CBS)

Iran:

Most Americans (57 percent) believe that the threat posed by Iran can be contained with diplomacy, the survey finds.

Nineteen percent, by contrast, believe the country requires immediate military action, an increase from 13 percent in February. Another 13 percent say Iran is not currently a threat, down six points from February.

Forty-three percent of Americans approve of how President Obama is handling Iran, while 35 percent disapprove. Another 22 percent aren't sure.

This poll was conducted from October 5th through 8th, before the announcement that President Obama was the winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

The president's overall approval rating remains at 56 percent.




Read the Complete Poll

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This poll was conducted among a random sample of 829 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone October 5-8, 2009. Phone numbers were dialed from random digit dial samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher.

This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

[tugar04]

THANK YOU GEORGE WILL,......

For saying what all of America is saying when it comes to Dick Cheney and his "Dithering" comments. For some reason, Dick Cheney wanted the invasion of Iraq and our continued presence there more then GW Bush did. And at end of the Bush Admin, there were a number of reasons they differed on, but GW did stop listening to this man about the Iraqi war situation at the end of his term, because it was leading America down a no-win situation. And the world hated GW Bush and all of America for our presence there. The Obama Admin is taking time to measure out the best move concerning Afghanistan, and Dick Cheney of all people should keep his mouth shut and do what he should do now as a former VP, move away from Washington and let the present administration handle what we: the American people voted them into office to do: Administer our government's business without Dick Cheney or members of his family constantly giving speeches, saying they know how to do things better, because, its been proven for the past 8 yrs now,......THEY DON'T !

Dick Cheney has cost America a great deal of pain and loss, now he should at least keep quiet and not remind us of how much his hasty, and totally ridiculous war decisions has impacted all of our lives, and as a nation.

[idependantfreedom]

Ask the soldiers, although we the people who love and support them all wish them home safe, I would no more take this choice from them than I would take their life. America is choices. Although this affects us, it is not our choice; the choice belongs those who desire to serve. I?m sure that many of them want to go home I?m sure that there are a thousand other things that they would rather be doing than risking their lives everyday day in and day out for a war, but the thing is although it?s their choice their choice in general is for us. I trust my family soldiers to make the choice they believe is right. One way or the other.

[robinspp]

War can never solve any problems. It will increase the problem. It creates hatred.

[AOCGUY]

Good news is we don't develop national policy and strategy by taking a vote. Whatever our Commander in Chief decides we can express our displeasure or agreement in 2012. In the meantime you can write in letters offering your opinion but I doubt the President will take that into consideration.

[babooph]

FDR WON defeating two modern ,massive military allies,IN less than half the time ....

[calman1959]

To those that think the Taliban will leave us alone if we let them have Afghanistan, think again.

Check on this interview;

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33107901/vp/33244662#33244662

They have their eyes on NY too. All they want to do is kill "infidels" where ever hey can find them. Feel safe now??

[ramos1129]

This is the way the Vietnam war and the Iraq war got out of hand. Westmoreland started out with around 50,000 troops. Each year, he asked for additional troops and said he could see the light at the end of the tunnel. At regular intervals, he would say the same thing until we got to around 500,000 US troops in Vietnam. The situation was the same for Iraq. We started out with around 45,000 troops and each year saw this force been esculated. We are up to 160,000 troops in Iraq. Now, with Afgan war, we esculated to 68,000 troops and the Generals want an additional 40,000 troops to bring our troops to 108,000 troops and more will be requested in 2010. All this to oppose an estimated 100 AQ in Iraq?

[Virgil-1]

Here's a headline for ya,Nobel peace prize offered in Afghnistan.

[vernique]

maybe it is time for the following compromise:
1. let those in favor of the war pay more taxes to support the war.
2. let those in favor of the war provide their sons and daughters to fight the war.
3. problem solved.

[widollar]

Congress is conflicted on most all issues. Vested interest and the fact they are ALL in the pocket of Corporations for raising the obscene amounts of money it takes to stay in office. Our political system in America is rotten to the core and it will never change, period!