NEW POLL: Veterans strongly support withdrawal from Afghanistan; Republicans out of step with rest of America on Afghan refugees

WASHINGTON, DC – A new poll commissioned by VoteVets shows that American veterans overwhelmingly support President Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, along with all Americans.

When asked, “Do you believe it is time for America to bring troops home from Afghanistan and end the war, or do you believe we need to continue the war in Afghanistan and send more troops in to retake the country from the Taliban?” veterans support the withdrawal by a whopping 63-24 percent margin. That is in-line with findings among registered voters, who support the withdrawal by a 65-22 percent margin, according to the poll.

“Veterans know the cost of war, so it should come as no surprise that they strongly back President Biden’s decision to end the war in Afghanistan,” said Mary Kaszynski, Director of Government Relations for VoteVets. “The military achieved its security mission in Afghanistan a long time ago, when it decimated al Qaeda and brought Osama bin Laden to justice. Veterans strongly believe President Biden is right – it is time to go.”

A lot of attention has rightfully been put on the plight of translators and other Afghan allies, in recent weeks. Overall, when asked if they would welcome Afghan refugees into their own neighborhoods, Americans said they would, by a 46-37 percent margin. A majority of Democrats and Independents would support bringing Afghans into their own neighborhoods. Republicans are out of step with the majority of Americans, saying they would oppose any Afghans settling in their communities (20 percent support, 64 percent oppose).

“The heartbreaking images we’re seeing from Afghanistan have most Americans feeling a sense of responsibility to care for our Afghan allies,” said Kaszynski. “Given how Donald Trump and his radical allies in Congress and right-wing media have riled Republicans up about helping any refugee, this shouldn’t come as a shock that when it comes to doing right by our Afghan allies, Republicans are just not willing to step up in the same way other Americans are.”

The poll was performed by Public Policy Polling, from August 20-21, via landline and text. It polled 668 registered voters and 606 veterans.

Full results of the questions asked on Afghanistan can be found
here: https://votevets.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NationalResults1.pdf (National Sample), and
here: https://votevets.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/VeteransResults1.pdf (Veterans Sample)

The poll asked questions on other subjects which will be released in the future.