Obama Winning Among Veterans

After a decade of war, America's troops aren't feeling very war-like. President Obama currently leads Mitt Romney among veterans who have served since the Gulf War by seven points—a wider lead than he has among the general populace—according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, and many say it's because of his stance on defense. One former master sergeant, for instance, says he's a Ron Paul supporter, but in the general election he's voting for whoever he thinks is less likely to start "knee-jerk reaction wars," even if it means voting for "that Democrat."

Just 32% of those surveyed think the war in Iraq ended successfully. "We looked real cool going into Iraq waving our guns," adds the two-time Bronze Star winner. "But people lost their lives, and it made no sense." Even in red states like South Carolina, anti-war sentiments run deep; Reuters talked to two Republican veterans who voted for Santorum in the primary, but cast a ballot for Obama in 2008. "I went to war for George Bush," says one. "But we can't keep policing the world." But those polled aren't exactly gaga about the job Obama is doing: Only 27% approve, to 37% who disapprove; the rest are undecided. (More poll numbers stories.)