Poll: The 'New Way Forward' Tanks

Most likely because it isn't 'new' and it doesn't promise to move anything 'forward'.

Via USA Today:

In a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday, more than 6 of 10 people back the idea of a non-binding congressional resolution expressing opposition to Bush's plan to commit an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to Iraq.

Since it would be non-binding, one would think there would be more support but that number is close to the percentage of those who are now opposed to the war.

However, those surveyed are split, 47%-50%, over whether Congress should deny funding for the additional troops.

I think that number is quite significant - that almost half of those surveyed actually support the denial of funds is probably the strongest finding in this poll indicating the lack of confidence Americans have in the idea of victory being the result of this continued war due to Bush's already failed strategy.

Among key findings:

•The central elements of Bush's "new way forward" in Iraq command limited public support. Now, 38% support a significant increase in U.S. troop levels, up from 36% before the speech.

Six in 10 have little or no confidence the Iraqi government will be able to take responsibility for handling security there by November, as Bush suggested. And by more than 2-1, those surveyed oppose his plan to send an additional $1 billion in economic aid.

•Americans feel more pessimistic about the war in the wake of Bush's speech. For the first time, a narrow plurality — 49%-47% — say the United States is likely to lose the war. Before the speech, they said by 50% to 46% that the United States was likely to win.

•The proportion who predict that political stability around the world will improve this year dropped by 9 points, to 32%.

•Those who say Bush has a "clear plan" for Iraq rose a bit, to 29% from 25%. Those who say congressional Democrats have a clear plan dropped to 21% from 25%.

Even so, by 51% to 36%, those surveyed have more confidence in congressional Democrats to handle Iraq than in the president.

•Optimism that the president and congressional Democrats would work together more closely this year plunged. Before the speech, Americans divided 50%-50% on that question. After the speech — and the almost uniform Democratic criticism of it — 62% of those surveyed say more cooperation isn't likely.

•Approval of Bush's handling of Iraq moved up a tick, from a low point of 26% before the speech to 28% now. His overall job-approval rating dipped 3 points, to 34%.

Any increases in Bush's favour are basically within the margin of error so any Good News™ the White House may try to garner from these results is certainly fleeting. Then again, Bush says he doesn't govern by polls (except when he's trying to please his base on issues like stem cell research funding, same sex marriage, so-called right to life issues and whatever else he and Rove can think of to keep the evangelicals, warmongers and neocons on his side).

The right-wing reaction to the poll: darn biased poll questions. Of course you don't see that criticism when the poll numbers are in their favour.