A record-high number of Americans want to bring American troops home from Afghanistan, according to a new poll Tuesday that found that sentiment growing among Democrats, Republicans and independents.
A Pew Research Center poll released Tuesday shows that 56 percent of those surveyed would like to see a drawdown happen as soon as possible - an increase of eight percentage points since Pew’s previous survey a month ago.
A year ago, just 40 percent of those surveyed wanted to see a rapid drawdown. In September 2008, 33 percent of Americans wanted all U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, support has subsided for keeping troops in Afghanistan until the situation is more stable. Of those surveyed, 39 percent said they want troops to stay put, down from 53 percent a year ago and 61 percent in the fall of 2008.
Two-thirds of Democrats support the withdrawal of troops, while 57 percent of independents said the same — both increases from earlier points in the war. Even among Republicans, backing for a withdrawal has grown, with 43 percent in favor, compared with 31 percent a year ago.
