Fresh data from the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute signal that about two-thirds of Americans support having U.S. troops in Afghanistan if their mission is to eliminate terrorist threats.

But if the mission is "building a stable democratic government in Afghanistan" — or nation-building — then support for having U.S. troops there evaporates: 39% said that is a worthy goal, vs. 52% who said it is not.

Quinnipiac Polling Institute assistant director Peter Brown told us this morning that the majority of Americans are OK with the idea of shedding blood if it's due to fighting done "over there," so-to-speak:

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The poll results, said Brown, underscore the challenge President Barack Obama will have if he decides to add more troops to the effort in Afghanistan — and how Obama will have to appeal for support to Americans who oppose him on most other policies:

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The Quinnipiac data seem to be in line with other recent surveys, including Gallup's conclusion that "Americans Say Afghanistan Going Badly, But Not A Mistake".

Quinnipiac's national telephone survey of 2,630 registered voters was done from Sept. 29-Oct. 5. The margin of error on each result: +/- 1.9 percentage points.

These numbers come out, of course, as the president continues his review of Afghan war strategy and considers the recommendation of his top commander there that additional troops be added to the campaign.

To see more of NPR's coverage of events in Afghanistan, click here.