As the polls tell us that Americans continue to disapprove of George Bush's job skills, and as historians oddly try to predict the future by saying he will go down as the worst president in history, Americans are now showing the highest confidence in the War on Terror and the War in Iraq since the war began!  Much of Bush's disapproval ratings have been attributed to his handling of the War on Terror and the War in Iraq. He has gotten no credit for the fact we haven't suffered another attack on American soil since 9/11.  Surely he would have been blamed if we had.  So, it seems only fair to give him credit for the fact we haven't.  The War in Iraq continues to go far better than expected just a year ago.  (So much for historians' abilities to predict the future)!  

I have long said history will look back on George Bush as a great hero who withstood tremendous political opposition to do what is right, and if these numbers continue to hold up, it may not be that long into the future before my prediction comes true.  

This also bodes ill for the Democrats as they have pinned all their hopes for this year's election on their opposition to the War in Iraq.  This may partially explain why Obama has slipped a point in the polls after the second night of the Democratic Convention.

Rasmussen Reports - August 27, 2008

Voter confidence in the War on Terror is at the highest level ever recorded since Rasmussen Reports began regular tracking in January 2004. Fifty-four percent (54%) of American voters now think the United States and its allies are winning the war. The previous high-water mark for optimism--52%--was reached a handful of times in September and October 2004.

Optimism about the situation in Iraq is also at an all-time high. Forty-eight percent (48%) now expect the situation in that troubled country to get better over the next six months. Only 17% expect things to get worse. In addition to being the most optimistic assessment ever recorded, these numbers reflect a remarkable turnaround over the past year. Last August, just 27% thought things were going to get better while 47% were pessimistic.

Looking longer term, voters are evenly divided as to whether history will judge the mission in Iraq as a success or failure. Thirty-eight percent (38%) offer an optimistic assessment while 41% say the opposite. Seventy-three percent (73%) of Republicans think history will look kindly on the effort in Iraq while 63% of Democrats disagree. Unaffiliated voters are divided on the question.

These numbers also reflect an amazing turnaround over the past year. In August a year ago, 57% thought history would judge the U.S. mission in Iraq to be a failure. At that time, just 29% thought it would be viewed a success.

President Bush isn’t getting any credit from the changing political environment. Just 30% rate President George W. Bush’s handling of the situation in Iraq as good or excellent while 47% say he has been doing a poor job.  Voters remain divided on whether or not the country is safer today than it was before September 11, 2001. While 41% of voters believe it is safer today, 40% disagree.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of unaffiliated voters say the U.S. and its allies are winning.