.Support Up for U.S. Mission in Afghanistan: Poll
A 54 percent majority of Americans, up five points from December, say they support U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, and a bare majority foresee a favorable outcome to the war, according to a new national Angus Reid poll.
The poll was taken last week, as U.S. troops moved to capture Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan, and as the U.S. and Pakistan announced the capture of three top Taliban leaders.
In the poll, 38 percent said they oppose the war, down from 42 percent in the December survey.
The poll asked: "Do you think the United States made a mistake or did the right thing in sending military forces to Afghanistan?"
A total of 48 percent answered "right thing," (up from 42 percent in December), 33 percent said "made a mistake" (down from 35 percent in December), while 19 percent were not sure (versus 24 percent in December).
War in Afghanistan proved disastrous for the British Empire in the 19th Century, and contributed to breakup of the Soviet empire of the late 20th Century. But Americans are guardedly optimistic, according to the Reid survey.
Asked about the war's "most likely" outcome, 25 percent predicted a "clear military victory" by the U.S. and allied forces, while 26 percent forecast a negotiated settlement from a position of U.S. and allied strength, with the Taliban given a "small role" in post-war Afghanistan.
Just 6 percent of those surveyed predicted a military defeat, and only 10 percent forecast that the Taliban would be given "a significant role." Nearly one-third of those polled were not sure.
Support for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan was strongest in the West, with the war supported by a margin of 64 percent to 33 percent.
The historically isolationist Midwest was most skeptical, with 50 percent voicing support and 39 percent of those surveyed expressing opposition.
Although it gets higher marks than two months ago -- and has registered successes of late -- the Obama administration is still not trusted in a war-making role.
The Reid survey asked: "How confident are you that the Obama administration will be able to 'finish the job' in Afghanistan?" Thirty-five percent voiced confidence, 52 percent said they were either "not too confident" or "not confident at all" with 12 percent undecided.
Overall, by a 57-43 margin, respondents said they have a clear idea of what the war in Afghanistan is about, an increase of five percent from December.
The poll of 1,004 randomly selected American adults was taken Feb. 16 and 17, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.
SeattlePI
The poll was taken last week, as U.S. troops moved to capture Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan, and as the U.S. and Pakistan announced the capture of three top Taliban leaders.
In the poll, 38 percent said they oppose the war, down from 42 percent in the December survey.
The poll asked: "Do you think the United States made a mistake or did the right thing in sending military forces to Afghanistan?"
A total of 48 percent answered "right thing," (up from 42 percent in December), 33 percent said "made a mistake" (down from 35 percent in December), while 19 percent were not sure (versus 24 percent in December).
War in Afghanistan proved disastrous for the British Empire in the 19th Century, and contributed to breakup of the Soviet empire of the late 20th Century. But Americans are guardedly optimistic, according to the Reid survey.
Asked about the war's "most likely" outcome, 25 percent predicted a "clear military victory" by the U.S. and allied forces, while 26 percent forecast a negotiated settlement from a position of U.S. and allied strength, with the Taliban given a "small role" in post-war Afghanistan.
Just 6 percent of those surveyed predicted a military defeat, and only 10 percent forecast that the Taliban would be given "a significant role." Nearly one-third of those polled were not sure.
Support for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan was strongest in the West, with the war supported by a margin of 64 percent to 33 percent.
The historically isolationist Midwest was most skeptical, with 50 percent voicing support and 39 percent of those surveyed expressing opposition.
Although it gets higher marks than two months ago -- and has registered successes of late -- the Obama administration is still not trusted in a war-making role.
The Reid survey asked: "How confident are you that the Obama administration will be able to 'finish the job' in Afghanistan?" Thirty-five percent voiced confidence, 52 percent said they were either "not too confident" or "not confident at all" with 12 percent undecided.
Overall, by a 57-43 margin, respondents said they have a clear idea of what the war in Afghanistan is about, an increase of five percent from December.
The poll of 1,004 randomly selected American adults was taken Feb. 16 and 17, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.
SeattlePI
posted by madtom at 11:47 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home