The Tide is Turning

American public opinion on the Iraq War is turning as battlefield success is maintained and as media reports dry up.

Forty percent of American remain firm in defending the war and wanting to win.

While sixty percent think the war a mistake, they are not all in favor of the big skedaddle and defeat. Only under 20% want to get out now and damn the consequences.

Another 20% want to leave after securing Iraq. Which to me is pretty much the same as the 40% who want to stay until we win.

Ten percent think the war is a disaster yet think we will stay. So they aren't willing to advocate retreat despite their opposition to the war. Good enough for government work, as they say.

Another 10% want the troops out but aren't sure if disaster will result if we do so. So they aren't firm enough in opinion to exert an influence.

All this adds up to a majority (80%) of American that is either supportive of the war, is willing to win, or is unwilling to lose.

The 20% who dominate the Democratic party may not know anybody who wants to stay in Iraq, but that is a problem of insular thinking and lack of diversity in their social circles.

Four months ago, I figured that improving opinions about the surge would eventually filter into the public's assessment of the war. That has happened.

We have the time we need to win, I think. It's tough to surrender with 20% support, I'd say.