CNN poll: Growing pessimism in U.S. over Afghanistan war

Nearly six in 10 Americans continue to oppose the war in Afghanistan amid a growing pessimism about the situation the United States faces in that country, according to a new national poll.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Wednesday indicates that 44 percent of the public believes things are going well for the United States in Afghanistan, down from 55 percent in March.

According to the poll, 58 percent of Americans oppose the war in Afghanistan, with opposition highest among Democrats.

"Six in 10 Republicans support the war, but support drops to 40 percent among Independents and just 20 percent among Democrats," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.

The survey indicates that, since the start of September, support for the war has dropped nine percentage points among Democrats, while remaining steady among Republicans and Independents.

Separately, according to the poll, two-thirds of Americans now favor allowing people who are openly gay or lesbian to serve in the military, with 28 percent opposed.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted September 21-23, with 1,010 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.

CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report