Zarqawi's Death Boosts Bush In War Poll

I question the timing.

In the wake of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death, President Bush is seeing improvement in public confidence that the Iraq war is winnable, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows.

The new poll found that 48% believe the United States probably or definitely will win the war, up from 39% in April. It also found that 47% believe things are going well in Iraq, up from 38% in March.

The survey, taken Friday to Sunday and released Monday, also showed Bush's approval rating going up to 38% from 36% earlier this month and an all-time low of 31% in May. The poll news came as Bush and members of his Cabinet met at Camp David to discuss ways to help the recently formed government in Iraq.

"Good news makes people feel better," says political analyst Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report. "This is the first break the president has gotten in about 18 months."

Wow... 9/10 point jumps. Pretty big. But:

Still, 51% say the war was a mistake. Rothenberg and other analysts cautioned that long-term public confidence will grow only if the death of Zarqawi is followed up by increasing Iraq's stability.

Bush Makes Another Timing-Questioned Surprise Appearance In Iraq: Says he heard Zarqawi was still alive, just wanted to get in "last licks."

posted by Ace at 12:10 PM

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