E Pluribus Unum

I've been reading Ellis' biography of George Washington and I guess some things never change.

Ellis reminds us that (after 1775-76) colonial support for the war fell to dangerous levels, hampering Washington's efforts at establishing and funding a professional standing army.

Flash forward to 2005, to a war that is much less crucial and to a commander-in-chief with much lower charismatic appeal and ability.

If Washington had such a tough time, what are the prospects for George W. Bush?

• For the first time since the war in Iraq began, more than half of the American public believes the fight there has not made the United States safer, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll...

• Americans continue to rank Iraq second only to the economy in importance -- and that many are losing patience with the enterprise...

• Nearly three-quarters of Americans say the number of casualties in Iraq is unacceptable

• Two-thirds say the U.S. military there is bogged down

• Nearly six in 10 say the war was not worth fighting

In all three cases [this matches or exceeds] the highest levels of pessimism yet recorded.

• More than four in 10 believe the U.S. presence in Iraq is becoming analogous to the experience in Vietnam.

• 52 percent said war in Iraq has not contributed to the long-term security of the United States, while 47 percent said it has.

It was the first time a majority of Americans disagreed with the central notion Bush has offered to build support for war: that the fight there will make Americans safer from terrorists at home. In late 2003, 62 percent thought the Iraq war aided U.S. security, and three months ago 52 percent thought so.

• Overall, more than half -- 52 percent -- disapprove of how Bush is handling his job, the highest of his presidency.

• A somewhat larger majority -- 56 percent -- disapproved of Republicans in Congress, and an identical proportion disapproved of Democrats.

There were signs, however, that Bush and Republicans in Congress were receiving more of the blame for the recent standoffs over such issues as Bush's judicial nominees and Social Security.

• Six in 10 respondents said Bush and GOP leaders are not making good progress on the nation's problems;

• Of those, 67 percent blamed the president and Republicans while 13 percent blamed congressional Democrats.

• For the first time, a majority, 55 percent, also said Bush has done more to divide the country than to unite it.

• By 50 percent to 49 percent, Americans approved of the way Bush is handling the campaign against terrorism, down from 56 percent approval in April, equaling the lowest rating he has earned on the issue that has consistently been his core strength with the public.

As history shows with Washington and pretty much any commander-in-chief that came after him, public opinion can affect military objectives because, as Marine Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis wrote in a note to his troops as he led them back into Iraq in February 2004, "our friendly strategic center of gravity is the will of the American people."