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Poll: U.S. adults don't feel safer

Front pages headlines from around the country that announce the death of Al-Qaida terror leader Osama bin Laden are seen in front of the Newseum in Washington on May 2, 2011. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
1 of 4 | Front pages headlines from around the country that announce the death of Al-Qaida terror leader Osama bin Laden are seen in front of the Newseum in Washington on May 2, 2011. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

NEW YORK, May 4 (UPI) -- Sixty percent of U.S. adults believe the killing of Osama bin Laden has actually increased the threat of terrorism, a poll released Wednesday indicated.

The New York Times-CBS poll found the operation has given President Obama's approval ratings a boost, especially among independents and Republicans. While an overwhelming majority welcomed bin Laden's death, only 16 percent said they feel safer than they did before.

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More than 60 percent said the United States should not withdraw from Afghanistan immediately. More than half favored a reduction in troop levels.

"The Taliban needs to be defeated," Richard Olbrich, a Madison, Wis., lawyer and self-identified Democrat, told the Times. "I have no idea how long it will take to complete that mission. And we can't leave until Afghanistan is back on its feet a little bit."

Overall, Obama's approval rating rose 11 points. His boost was smallest among Democrats, with 86 percent giving him good marks now compared with 79 percent in April.

His standing was up 11 points from last month among independents to 52 percent. His approval with Republicans was up 15 points to 24 percent.

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President George W. Bush's approval rating went up 8 points after the capture of Saddam Hussein. The boost was gone within a month.

The poll was conducted Monday and Tuesday with 532 adults interviewed by telephone. The margin of error was 4 percentage points.

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