Large majority supports ending war in Afghanistan by 2014

Last week Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that the U.S. and its allies are hoping to scale back from taking the lead in combat operations in Afghanistan by the end of next year.

While the announcement caused quite a stir in the media, Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno noted that it “has been our strategy all along.”

Nevertheless, a new poll out today found that, by a large margin, Americans support it. According to Rasmussen, 67% favor the plan Panetta outlined last week, while only 22% opposed ending combat operations by that time.