Ahead of 2020 midterms, Republicans see opening with chaos in Afghanistan
CBSN
Washington — With the chaotic evacuation of thousands of Americans and at-risk Afghans from Kabul dominating the headlines after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Republicans see a political opening to use the fallout from President Biden's withdrawal to question his capabilities, in hopes of wresting control of Congress from Democrats.
While foreign policy was not a top issue for voters in the last two elections, "the challenge for the Biden administration is it sets a narrative of competence, or lack thereof, and Americans don't like losing. Nobody likes losing, but especially in a way where you're humiliated," Glen Bolger, a Republican pollster who has worked on various congressional campaigns, told CBS News. The president has taken a hit from the chaos in Kabul. A CBS News poll released Sunday found 44% of Americans believe the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has gone "very badly" — though 63% of Americans approve of the drawdown. Forty-seven percent, meanwhile, approve of Mr. Biden's handling of the withdrawal, down from 60% in July.Ashley White received her earliest combat action badge from the United States Army soon after the first lieutenant arrived in Afghanistan. The silver military award, recognizing soldiers who've been personally engaged by an attacker during conflict, was considered an achievement in and of itself as well as an affirming rite of passage for the newly deployed. White had earned it for using her own body to shield a group of civilian women and children from gunfire that broke out in the midst of her third mission in Kandahar province. All of them survived. She never mentioned the badge to anyone in her battalion.