These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
37% Support President's Plan for Afghanistan, 38% Oppose
Friday, December 4, 2009
The good news for President Obama is that 53% of voters nationwide support his plan to send another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Nearly as many (47%) support his plan to begin withdrawing troops from that war-torn country in 18 months.
But the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of voters agree with both parts of the plan.
As a result, the president's plan as outlined in a nationally televised speech Tuesday night ultimately earns mixed reviews. Thirty-seven percent (37%) say they support the overall plan, while 38% oppose it. Twenty-five percent (25%) are not sure.
Thirty percent (30%) of voters favor the plan to send more troops but oppose the timetable for withdrawal.
Eighteen percent (18%) favor the timetable for withdrawal but not the plan to send more troops.
A majority of Democrats support the president's overall plan, while a plurality of Republicans and voters not affiliated with either party are opposed. Thirty-five percent (35%) of Democrats support both sending more troops and the establishment of a timetable for withdrawal. Just 12% of unaffiliated voters support both.
Among all voters, 37% now say the president is doing a good or an excellent job on Afghanistan, while 36% give him poor marks. Those figures reflect a slight improvement from before the speech .
Asked about their general preference for Afghanistan policy, 50% of voters favor increasing the number of U.S. troops in that country while 35% would like to reduce the number of troops.
Eighty-three percent (83%) say the situation in Afghanistan is important to the national security of the United States. That figure includes 53% who say it's Very Important.
Sixty-seven percent (67%) of voters believe the war in Afghanistan was an appropriate response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Twenty-one percent (21%) disagree.
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