10/15: President Loses Support in Handling of War in Afghanistan
October 15, 2009 by Marist Poll
Filed under Featured, National, National Poll Archive, Politics
Registered voters nationwide divide about President Barack Obama’s management of the war in Afghanistan. 43% approve, and 45% disapprove. 12% are unsure. The electorate’s confidence in the president’s handling of this issue has been shaken. When Marist last asked this question in June, nearly six in ten — 57% — backed the president on this question. Just 24% disapproved.
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The change in opinion has occurred across party lines. Currently, 62% of Democrats agree with how the president is dealing with this issue. This proportion is down from 75% in June. 24% of Republicans approve of the president’s actions in Afghanistan. Back in June, the GOP was much more divided with 41% reporting they approved of Mr. Obama’s management. And, Independents have also had a change of heart. 51% of these voters currently disapprove of the president’s handling of the military situation in Afghanistan. An almost identical proportion of Independents — 52% — approved of the president’s tactics four months ago.
Table: Handling the War in Afghanistan
About Four in Ten Voters Want Troop Levels in Afghanistan Increased
41% of registered voters think U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan should be increased. 32% want that number to be decreased, and 19% think it should remain the same. 8% are unsure.
How does opinion fall along party lines? A majority of Republicans — 57% — would like more troops in the region while 22% want those numbers to be reduced. 16% believe the levels should stay where they are. Democrats are a different story. 41% want the number of troops decreased while 24% would like to see additional recruits deployed. The same proportion of Democrats — 24% — wants the level of U.S. troop commitment to remain the same. Where do Independents stand? 47% want the number of troops increased, and 31% would like them decreased. 15% say they should be kept at current levels.
Table: Troop Levels in Afghanistan
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[...] Poll Watch: Marist Survey on Afghanistan Marist Survey on Afghanistan [...]
[...] now disapproves of President Obama’s handling of the war in Afghanistan, according to a new Marist poll. At the beginning of June, 57% of registered voters surveyed by Marist approved of how the [...]