by Mark Silva
At a time when U.S. and NATO military leaders are calling for a new strategy for the nearly eight-year-old American war in Afghanistan, a newly released poll shows growing public opposition to the war launched after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The share of people saying they oppose the war in Afghanistan has grown to 57 percent in the newest CNN/Opinion Research survey results released today - from a poll taken Aug. 28-31. That's up from 46 percent in an early April survey.
While support for the war has fallen to 42 percent - from 53 in April - a majority of those surveyed still call the conflict winnable for the U.S.
While 62 percent say the U.S. is not winning the war in Afghanistan - virtually consistent with the view held in December 2008 - 59 percent of those surveyed over the weekend say the U.S. can win.
The Obama White House, too, maintains that it is winnable.
Asked how it defines "winnable,'' Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said this week: "I think the president and his advisors have talked about disrupting, dismantling, and destroying al Qaeda and its extremist allies. We have to ensure that... while there are those currently plotting to do our country harm, that we don't provide them a safe haven to do that, that we have a government in Afghanistan that is self-sufficient, that we have a security force in that country that's able to deal with the challenges that are presented to it. ''
He added this, too: "Our commitment can't be forever.''
The president expects to see the newest recommendation of the commander of U.S. forces there, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, as the president heads to Camp David on Wednesday for a rest carrying him into the Labor Day weekend.
The general's report seeking a new strategy for the war arrives on the heels of the deadliest month for U.S. forces in Afghanistan:
"51 U.S. soldiers lost their lives in the little-noticed fighting'' in August, our colleagues at Top of the Ticket note today. "That's six more than perished in July, the previous worst month. Or one American soldier's death every 14 hours or so.In the first eight months of this year, 182 U.S. personnel have died there, compared with 155 during all of 2008.
The administration lost columnist George Will today, too.
The CNN/Opinion Research survey of 1,010 adults carries a possible margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Comments
Another opinion not hard to understand. After 8 years of neglect in Afghanistan and 6 years of promises in Iraq, Americans are tired of war. In the begining of 2008 63% of Americans felt Iraq was a mistake. The numbers I'm sure are much higher now. The war in Afghanistan was the war on terror, Iraq was a choice. A bad choice. Funny thing is, the very same people who defended Iraq are now the ones so eager to call it Obamas war now for their political agenda. "Great Americans" have used this disaster and death as a political game without shame.
Posted by: bill r. | September 1, 2009 3:37 PM
This is the one major issue that I disagree with Pres Obama on. Needless to say, we probably would have already wrapped up the Afganistan war (and possibly captured or killed Bin Laden) had Shrub Jr and The Dick Cheney not decided that it would be a great idea to start a phony war in Iraq in order to feed cash to their Military Industrial Complex cronies, like Halliburton, KBR and Blackwater etc.
Afganistan is to far gone, the people who had anything to do with 9/11 have already left the country.
It's time to wind Afganistan down and use the money for better things here in America.
Posted by: former Republican | September 1, 2009 3:55 PM
In becoming involved in Afghanistan we showed an investment in the well-being of this country. Won't just pulling out now possibly leave the country in a state of chaos, one that could possibly create an enemy for future generations? I think we need to look to the new report to help us understand how to effectively achieve the goals we set out to achieve.
http://www.newsy.com/videos/afghanistan_strategy_more_troops_or_new_tactics
Posted by: Stephanie | September 1, 2009 4:50 PM
With friends like these.....
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/world/asia/02fraud.html?_r=1&hp
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | September 1, 2009 4:57 PM
Good grief, the Subhuman Loons on the Left are chirping with their ignorant know-nothings again.
Bill r., who on the right has said Iraq is Obama's War?
The problem with Afghanistan is that the administration hasn't been selling a strategy to the American people. The other problem is that this country is forgetting 9/11. If we were to leave, the Taliban would take over and Afghanistan once again would be a safe have for Al Qeada.
This administration has to show some leadership and fortitude when it comes to Afghanistan and Iraq. Iraq basically has been won, but some work remains. Afghanistan was and is winnable. What it needs is an Iraq-style surge. But somehow I don't think this administration has the fortitude for that.
Posted by: John D | September 1, 2009 5:01 PM
Stephanie states we had goals to achieve.
I saw no goals. I saw the last administration finally got their Army men to play with and they lost the game of "WAR". They leave the mess on the rec-room floor for everyone else to clean up after and lost the dice when they threw them under the sofa. i don't see anyone ending this "game".
Posted by: lochnesssmonster | September 1, 2009 5:17 PM
The problem with Afghanistan is that the administration hasn't been selling a strategy to the American people. The other problem is that this country is forgetting 9/11. If we were to leave, the Taliban would take over and Afghanistan once again would be a safe have for Al Qeada.
This administration has to show some leadership and fortitude when it comes to Afghanistan and Iraq. Iraq basically has been won
Posted by: John D | September 1, 2009 5:01 PM
**********************************
.
Really? So Lil Johnny Inbreed here thinks the Iraq war has been won? Who won?
And as far as Afganistan goes, exactly what plan did BushCo have for that "war"? Your heroes W. and Darth screwed that up beyond repair when they blew off going after Bin Laden to start a trumped up war in Iraq for their corporate cronies in the Military Industrial Complex.
.
http://www.altacocker.com/other_items/mission-accomplished-osama.jpg
Posted by: janet | September 1, 2009 5:47 PM
"Good grief, the Subhuman Loons on the Left are chirping with their ignorant know-nothings again."
Coming up next:
John D. - the Joseph Goebbels of Streamwood.
Posted by: TheReamer | September 1, 2009 6:19 PM
Every single post here, except one, is rational and calmly stated.
The only exception; John D.
Posted by: OldCreaky | September 1, 2009 6:21 PM
the Subhuman Loons on the Left are chirping with their ignorant know-nothings again.
Iraq basically has been won, but some work remains.
Posted by: John D | September 1, 2009 5:01 PM
Basically? Some? Are you kidding me?
And is it really neccessary for you to open your posts with such vile dribble? Let me re-phrase it for you ok:
YOU the Subhuman WINGNUT on the RIGHT are chirping with your ignorant know-nothings again.
We're all aware of your warped sense of reality so its not really necessary to talk like a 5 year old anymore ok!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | September 1, 2009 8:26 PM
Notice the absence of war protests by the radical left like International Answer, More-On.Org, and all their fellow travelers? No posters of Obama with blood dripping from his fangs, ala Bush. No fake blood spilled in churches. No demonstrations in Lafayette Park. Different strokes when a fellow radical leftist is in the White House. Which only shows how phony those so-called anti-war groups are. They're not anti-war; when it's Obama's war, suddenly it's okay.
Posted by: Derrick | September 1, 2009 8:36 PM
Different strokes when a fellow radical leftist is in the White House. Which only shows how phony those so-called anti-war groups are. They're not anti-war; when it's Obama's war, suddenly it's okay.
Posted by: Derrick | September 1, 2009 8:36 PM
*********************************
.
Brucie,
Obama didn't start a war based on lies (Iraq) and he didn't screw up the Afganistan war - the BushCo Republicans did.
It's ok to change your diaper Bruce, the adults are charge now.
Posted by: civil war guy | September 1, 2009 10:33 PM
Yes, the Subhuman Loons still chirp, led by the Ocean Creature Infested Dumb Dumb Janet and the rest of the irrational members of the Left.
Iraq was won years ago when Saddam was sent packing and then arrested and executed. Since then, Iraq has had several successful elections and up until a month or so go with Obimbo's fumbling of the country, the country was pretty quiet. Attacks have been on the increase, but can be stifled with the right leadership. Obimbo needs to do something about the problems Iran is causing in Iraq, but he seems to want to make nice-nice with the loons there rather than explain to them the facts of life.
OldCreaky, please explain which post from your ignorant ilk is rational and calmly stated?
Posted by: John D | September 1, 2009 10:58 PM
Is the learning curve a little faster now after EYE RACK?
Posted by: ornery | September 2, 2009 7:49 AM
bill r,
You torture statistics as much as we should be torturing terrorists.
Silva,
You rather conveniently leave out that Gibbs was so passionate about defending this administration's Afghanistan policy that he used the forbiden phrase "war on terror" rather than the Obama acceptable "overseas contingency operation."
There is nothing like having a consistent message, is there?
Posted by: Chris, | September 2, 2009 10:29 AM
"the Subhuman Loons still chirp"
John D is now lifting his rhetoric diirectly from Joseph Goebbels.
Posted by: Karl | September 2, 2009 10:44 AM
There is nothing like having a consistent message, is there?
Posted by: Chris, | September 2, 2009 10:29 AM
Here is a little more torture:
"We will be met as liberators"
"They are, if you will, in their last throes"
"We know where the WMDs are"
"We will pay for this war with oil"
"there will be no door to door fighting"
"There is a direct link between 9/11 and Iraq"
consistent yes.......acurate? Not even close.
Posted by: bill r. | September 2, 2009 10:50 AM
bill r,
ad hominem abusive much???
Posted by: Chris | September 2, 2009 12:22 PM
bill r,
ad hominem abusive much???
Posted by: Chris | September 2, 2009 12:22 PM
After 31/2 years in the swamp......it kind of grows on you. Like algea. But are any of these false....or an attack on you character?
Posted by: bill r. | September 2, 2009 1:03 PM
bill r,
Try reading more than just the first few lines in a wikipedia article.
Posted by: Chris | September 2, 2009 2:06 PM
bill r,
Try reading more than just the first few lines in a wikipedia article.
Posted by: Chris | September 2, 2009 2:06 PM
I'm willing to debate the issue, but have no idea what your point is. Is it my statistics showing 63% believe Iraq was a mistake? Cause if that's it I would be glad to support it with a source...is it the quotes on Iraq you disagree with? I would be glad to support that also. Wiki is hardly a source.
Posted by: bill r. | September 2, 2009 4:37 PM