Rasmussen poll shows Republican support for President Obama on Afghanistan

September 4, 10:54 PMPolitical Buzz ExaminerRyan Witt

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  Marines mourn to loss of Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard.  AP Photo Julie Jacobson

I think I can be excused for wondering if Republicans could support President Obama on any issue lately.  After many voiced opposition to the Obama school speech it seemed as if Republicans would criticize the President for breathing.  A recent Rasmussen poll proves that in fact Republicans do at least support the President on on the issue of Afghanistan.

While many are calling for a withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan the Rasmussen data reveals that most Americans (52%) do not support a troop withdrawal or even a timetable for troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.  Most revealing however is how the numbers breakdown along party lines.  31% of Democrats support a complete withdrawal of troops compared to 13% of Republicans.  In addition, a large number of Republicans (73%) oppose a timetable for withdrawal in Afghanistan whereas only 27% of Democrats believe in no timetable.

My personal theory is that the poll partially reflects the past views of Republicans and Democrats on the Iraq war.  Most Republicans vehemently opposed a timetable for withdrawal of troops in Iraq when Democrats pushed for such a timetable.  As a result I believe now Republicans still react negatively to any kind of "timetable" while Democrats still think they are generally a good idea.

In predicament that looks eerily like that faced by Lyndon B. Johnson President Obama is getting support from the opposing party and while receiving criticism from his own party in regards to a foreign war.  Just like LBJ and Vietnam the war has the potential to be real roadblock to the President Obama's domestic agenda if members of his own party start to turn on him.