Thousands of polling centers opened across Afghanistan Thursday despite Taliban threats of violence, while a new poll stateside revealed plunging American support for the war.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is expected to win reelection unless his challenger can force a runoff, The Associated Press reported. Reporters observed low initial turnout, likely the result of rising violence and disillusionment with government corruption.
Meanwhile, a majority of Americans have now lost faith in the Afghan war effort, with three-quarters saying no more U.S. troops should be sent to the beleaguered country, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.
The poll found slightly more Americans who agree the U.S. is winning the war (42%) than losing it (36%). But seven of 10 Democrats say the fight has not been worth its cost, according to the poll. Among the president's base -- liberals -- strong approval of Obama's handling of the war has plunged by 20 percentage points.
Read More: MSNBC, Washington Post