Majority Supports Overall Obama Afghan Plan, but Worries About the Cost

Majorities of both Democrats and Republicans support the overall plan in general, according to breakdowns on the Gallup site. Fifty-eight percent of Democrats back the plan while 35 percent do not, with 7 percent undecided. Fifty-five percent of Republicans support it while 37 percent do not, with 8 percent undecided. Independents are split with 45 percent favoring the plan, 44 percent against it and 11 percent undecided.

Polls prior to Obama's speech had been showing increasing disapproval or opposition to U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, increasing troop levels, and the administration's handling of the issue. A Gallup poll conducted Nov. 20-22 showed public approval of Obama's handling of the issue down to 35 percent, compared to 56 percent in July.

A Pew Research Center poll conducted Oct. 28 - Nov. 8 said 40 percent of those surveyed wanted to see U.S. troops decreased, 32 percent supported an increase, and 19 percent said troop levels should stay the same.

While the USA Today/Gallup survey found overall approval of Obama's plan, there was less agreement about the number of additional troops Obama settled upon after months of review. Thirty-eight percent said the 30,000 he announced was about the right number, 36 percent said it was too many and 18 percent said it was too few.

Gallup said that 43 percent of Democrats thought the number of troops was too high while 39 percent felt it was about right and 18 percent thought it was too low, with 8 percent undecided. Thirty-eight percent of Republicans agreed with the troop levels set by Obama, 35 percent thought it was too low, 18 percent said it was too high, with 10 percent undecided. Thirty-nine percent of independents said it was too high, 38 percent said it was about right, 16 percent said it was too low and 7 percent were undecided.

Only 21 percent in the poll agreed with the timetable Obama set to begin withdrawing troops in July 2011. Forty-six percent said it was too soon to set a timetable, 26 percent said the U.S. should start withdrawing troops sooner and 21 percent agreed with the timetable. Republicans had the strongest views on this with nearly three-quarters saying it was too soon to set a timetable.

There was huge opposition to a proposal by House Appropriations Committee chairman David Obey to help pay for the war by imposing a war surtax. Sixty-eight percent rejected that idea.