by Mark Silva
As President Barack Obama nears a decision about the deployment of new U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, the American public appears sharply divided:
Just 42 percent support an increase in U.S. troops -- 35 percent at the level that the American commander in Afghanistan has recommended, 7 percent at some smaller level -- the Gallup Poll reports today. Another 44 percent would like to see a reduction in U.S. forces.
""If Obama decides to increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan, he will be going against the wishes of the vast majority of rank-and-file Democrats." Gallup's Jeffrey Jones notes.
The majority of Republicans side with Gen. Stanley McChrystal's recommendation of 40,000 additional troops, with anotther 6 percent supporting a smaller troop increase.
Independents are evenly divided between favoring a troop increase of any size (36 percent support McChrystal's recommended increase and 7 percent favor a smaller increase) while 43 percent support a reduction. The poll was run Nov. 5-8.
The Washington Bureau's Paul Richter reports that half the Amercan public isn't the only party wary about a troop buildup in Afghaniistan:
"In an unexpected dissent at a critical moment, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan has warned in classified cables against any further buildup of American forces in the country, senior U.S. officials said Wednesday.
"Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, a retired Army general and former commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, objected in two cables delivered to the State Department saying that additional troops would be unwise because of the corruption and ineffectiveness of the Afghan government,'' Richter reports. "The advice in the cables, sent last week, comes as most signs are suggesting that President Obama soon will announce plans to send thousands of additional troops to Afghanistan in hopes of turning the tide against militants.''
Comments
This place has already been bombed to the Stone Age.
Nothing left to bomb.
Only allied soldiers to be used as targets for moslem thugs.
Bush's fool's errand has to be brought to a swift conclusion.
Let India China Russia deal with it.
American-born terrorists like Tim McVeigh and Dr. Hasan pose much greater threat.
Posted by: ornery | November 12, 2009 7:51 AM
The addition of 40,000 additional troops or not will not make any difference in Afghanistan. The situation there is unwinnable. The U.S. military will not prevail. There will be a continuous flow of body bags and injured soldiers back to the U.S. What are the objectives?? What is the exit strategy?? The Republicans certainly do not know. They can't even comprehend Afghanistan- their people or culture. Off course the Pentagon is in it for the 'job security' aspect of it. The Afghan government is inept, ineffective, and corrupt. The president's brother is a big time heroin dealer there. This McChrystal should be dismissed immediately and a phased withdrawal of all troops should begin. If not, the U.S. and the Obama administration will live to regret it.
Posted by: Doug R. | November 12, 2009 9:00 AM
From the "leakes" on the internet looks like Obama is not taking either Generals advice Jones or McCrystal.
Makes you wonder who gave Obama a millitary education so fast.
Posted by: Inky | November 12, 2009 9:14 AM
Another impossible problem left behind by the incompetent rebublicans who now draw delight from the position Obama has been put. It doesn't matter that it is a problem for the country, just a political problem that could help their return. Pretty much the same with the economy.
Posted by: bill r. | November 12, 2009 9:27 AM
Another impossible problem left behind by the incompetent rebublicans who now draw delight from the position Obama has been put. It doesn't matter that it is a problem for the country, just a political problem that could help their return. Pretty much the same with the economy.
Posted by: bill r. | November 12, 2009 9:27 AM
Now little bill, you do realize that president Obama (not Bush) made the Afghanistan war one of his campaign strategies right?
It was then candidate Obama who told you that the Afghanistan war was one to fight! that he would take it to them, no soft shoe, no hoodwink, no babysitting!
You toss out Bush's name regularly like he's still in charge, yet you fail to admit that president Obama (not Bush) is THE MAN!
Oh, the blame game is all you have and that Bush diaper rash has your knickers in a bunch all the time. Pick up the clue phone little bill, Bush gone - Obama in charge! What's he doing about it?
Posted by: springfield | November 12, 2009 11:20 AM
It's OK to ignore the reality and reasons for the current dilemma. If I had supported these blunders for 8 years, I would too. Afghanistan remains the priority, but may have been left to fester so long that a resolution may be impossible. While you delight in the problems now facing America and Obama, I find it offensive that your support for 8 years of blundering, has now turned to a political football of your making.
Posted by: bill r. | November 12, 2009 11:50 AM
War of necessity mr. child president, sound familiar? You sure had all the answers when you didn't have to make a decision. Now it is clear that you do not care one bit about the lives of the soldiers you put in harms way each day. Dither on child, it is obvious you are in over your head, have no clue about how to make a decision and have the moral backbone of a jellyfish. This is the weak kneed style of a community agitator whose entire career has been based on spending productive peoples' money and building political power through strong arm tactics. How did that work out with Karzai child?
Posted by: Hans | November 12, 2009 12:39 PM
You can't be talking about me little bill, I never supported any wars - EVER.
Only in your small mind can you assume things like this.
It's OK to ignore the reality and reasons for the current dilemma. If I had supported these blunders for 8 years, I would too. Afghanistan remains the priority, but may have been left to fester so long that a resolution may be impossible. While you delight in the problems now facing America and Obama, I find it offensive that your support for 8 years of blundering, has now turned to a political football of your making.
Posted by: bill r. | November 12, 2009 11:50 AM
But then, you can't get that Bush diaper rash out of your shorts. Hate on little man, it makes you look so juvenile.
Posted by: springfield | November 12, 2009 4:22 PM
Springfield, these guys are stuuuupid is as stuuuuuupid does. And they contantly make themselves look stuuuupid.
Nothing but nonsense from them. Blame Bush for eveything.
In the fight to keep America safe, where have the liberals been for the last 8 years? On the side of the enemy. We don't want to look at Male Muslims that act, walk, and talk Jihad. That makes you a racist. So 13 soldiers have to die and 30 more are wounded in the name of Political Correctness. MORONS on the left, don't you know that the next bomb, the next terrorist attack will not leave you alive just because you want to do your typical phony act and appease the enemy? Your name is on the list to die along with anybody else fool.
Posted by: Dumb Fitzgerald, ILL | November 13, 2009 4:02 AM
Springfield, these guys are stuuuupid is as stuuuuuupid does. And they contantly make themselves look stuuuupid.
Nothing but nonsense from them. Blame Bush for eveything.
In the fight to keep America safe, where have the liberals been for the last 8 years? On the side of the enemy. We don't want to look at Male Muslims that act, walk, and talk Jihad. That makes you a racist. So 13 soldiers have to die and 30 more are wounded in the name of Political Correctness. MORONS on the left, don't you know that the next bomb, the next terrorist attack will not leave you alive just because you want to do your typical phony act and appease the enemy? Your name is on the list to die along with anybody else fool.
Posted by: Dumb Fitzgerald, ILL | November 13, 2009 4:23 AM
it makes you look so juvenile.
Posted by: springfield | November 12, 2009 4:22 PM
Yes indeed...I feel so juvenile after reading your diaper rash post and the idiots after it.
Posted by: bill r. | November 13, 2009 11:53 AM