By Steve Hynd
A new Washington Post/ABC News poll shows that the Surge hasn't given a long-term boost to the popularity of the Afghan occupation among the American public, with a net 52% saying that the war there has not been worth fighting.
A majority says the war in Afghanistan is not worth its costs, marking a return to negative territory after a brief uptick in public support in the wake of the announcement of the administration's new strategy for the conflict.
Despite the shift in views on the war, President Obama's ratings for handling the conflict have remained positive since the unveiling of the new strategy - 56 percent approve, 36 percent disapprove.
Views on the war's value have become more negative among both Democrats and independents. In the new poll, 56 percent of independents say it is not worth fighting, up from 47 percent in December. Among Democrats, 66 percent say it's not worth it, including half who feel that way strongly.
Republicans are solidly behind the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, with 69 percent saying the war is worth its costs.
That's still a long way from the 77% of Brits who want out. But it's worth noting that if it wasn't for the warmongering Republican base, who love America being in wars no matter how stupid or futile they are, Obama would be looking at far worse poll figures.
It may be Obama's war to run now, but only because the Right supports him on it. Politically, he's carrying their water.
Just wait to see where it goes when the Kandahar operation become a monumental clusterfuck.
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