How the Pentagon judges Afghan public opinion

" the Pentagon said in response to questions that the endorsement of a follow-on force by a gathering of tribal elders that Karzai convened in late November “indicates overwhelming support from the people of Afghanistan to continue the partnership that has brought us this far.” "  Yes, there is no measure of Afghan public opinion than the collection of US occupation cronies appointed to the council by the chief puppet of occupation himself.  If the Afghan public is overwhelming in favor of occupation, why are US troops needed in the country in the first place?