A new Gallup poll shows a nearly even split in public opinion between Americans who support increasing the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and those who want to decrease the number of troops there. Independents, in particular, are precisely divided. But the two political parties’ views are sharply opposed, and if President Obama decides to send 40,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, he will do so against the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Democrats.

In the new poll, 35 percent of those surveyed support a proposal to send 40,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan, and seven percent support sending a smaller number of troops — for a total of 42 percent who support an increase in troops. On the other hand, 44 percent of those surveyed support reducing the number of U.S. troops, while seven percent say they would like to see troop levels remain the same, and seven percent have no opinion.