Less Focus on Afghan War in 2012 Election

October 24, 2012

The foreign policy debate between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney was their first opportunity to challenge each other directly on the way forward in Afghanistan.

Four years ago, the Afghan war played a role in the U.S. presidential election. Then-Senator Barack Obama even visited Afghanistan during the campaign.

"I think one of the biggest mistakes we have made strategically after 9/11 was to fail to finish the job here, focus our attention here," said Obama.

But now, as this year's election approaches, major polls show U.S. voters are worried more about the economy than one of their country's longest wars.

The CATO Institute's Malou Innocent says it was only a matter of time before Americans turned their focus back toward home.

"I think the war fatigue factors in tremendously to the extent to which Americans really just do not care to what happens abroad," said Innocent.

With thousands of U.S. troops dead or injured and billions of dollars spent in a tough economy, Innocent says it's hard for Americans to see tangible gains from the conflict.

As recently as March, half of Americans polled said they want the U.S. to withdraw troops from Afghanistan faster.

In their foreign policy debate, President Obama and challenger Mitt Romney agreed on withdrawing combat forces.