Confirmation

I didn't need to see this poll to know the findings:

The poll found that just 29 percent of Americans approve of the way President Bush is managing the war in Iraq, matching the lowest mark of his presidency. Nearly 70 percent of Americans said Mr. Bush did not have a plan to end the war, and an overwhelming 80 percent said Mr. Bush’s latest effort to rally public support for the conflict amounted to a change in language but not policy.

The poll underlined the extent to which the war has framed the midterm elections. Americans cited Iraq as the most important issue affecting their vote, and majorities of Republicans and Democrats said they wanted a change in the government’s approach to the war. Only 20 percent said they thought the United States was winning in Iraq, down from a high of 36 percent in January.

And it should be. Sure, there's a lot in the background: Katrina, corruption, rising healthcare costs, the environment, alternative energy. But Iraq is clearly the driving force. And it's not going away no matter how many jokes are botched. Even the mercenaries are bugging out of Iraq. The contractors don't think it's secure and are wrapping up operations. Bechtel just doesn't leave a moneymaking factory unless they have to. Which is where we're at.

The real question is whether the tidal wave we may see on Tuesday can possibly break through the ice at the White House and actually impact public policy.