Posted on 05/07/2007 1:51:36 PM PDT by Sleeping Beauty
OTTAWA (Sun Media) - Nearly half of Canadians think the Conservative government is fumbling the war effort in Afghanistan and a majority want to bring the troops home if the death toll continues to mount.
A new SES Research poll finds 54.6% of Canadians want a withdrawal if casualties climb, compared to 39.3% who see fallen soldiers as an unfortunate but necessary part of the mission.
”Canadians look at what the trade-offs are in terms of whether the mission can succeed, not just the financial cost of the mission but the human cost,” said SES President Nik Nanos.
”I think it‚s pretty clear that a majority of Canadians think if the casualties continue then we should have a pull-out.”
The difference of opinion is most stark with Conservative voters, who are much more likely than Liberal, NDP, Bloc Quebecois or Green supporters to accept blood in the war zone. But Nanos said it‚s not even a slam-dunk for committed Tories, since nearly 40% would call for a troop withdrawal if casualties continue.
Nanos said the numbers suggest a major incident with a high death count could smash the foundation of support for the mission and escalate the issue politically for the Conservatives.
The poll also reveals a whopping 67% of Canadians believe Canada’s presence in Afghanistan is actually making our country more vulnerable to a terrorist attack. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has consistently sold the mission as a way to bring democracy to Afghans while keeping the terrorist threat at bay, yet only 17.9% of Canadians believe our military might is cutting Canada‚s risk of an attack at home.
”One of the justifications for the mission in Afghanistan and the war on terror is to make us all safer, but I think for average Canadians they understand the political reality - if you’re going to pick a fight and somebody else is home, there are repercussions back in Canada,” said Nanos. “They know that just by being engaged in Afghanistan that we’re making ourselves a target.”
Do you think the Dems actions have affected Canadian opinions?
I forgot to mention that Canada is much more stoic about war deaths.
Are they are more staunchly conservative than we are?
Yes!
And I cannot stand the fact the the world is now being run by misleading polls.
Canada gets very positive reviews for its performance in Afgan. They have been effective, especially when compared to some European forces.
even though Canada now has a minority Conservative government and a stand up “conservative” Prime Minister, Canadian politics is more like Europe than America. In other words there’s a whole lot of liberal weenies around.
Canadians are kicking Taliban butt in Afganistan but once casualties hit 100 pressure will grow to get out.
I’d say Alqueda’s mission is clear...kill more Canadians...
Al Qaeda is using our "Pro Life" values against us.
“Are they are more staunchly conservative than we are?”
No, they are in fact even more weak-kneed leftist than you guys. Did you know that Canada originally joined Afghanistan out of “UN peacekeeping” values rather than “kill the terrorists!” mantra? Of course many of their conservatives do believe in the latter, it is not believed by middle Canadians.
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