Support for Iraq War Highest Since 2006

Americans' support for the Iraq war is at its highest since the summer of 2006, with some 53% believing the 6-year-old US mission will succeed in bringing stability to the country—up from 42% in September, Politico reports. A February Pew Research Center poll found 48% of Americans believe the war is going well, up from 30% in February 2007.

The increased support could affect the 2008 elections; the surge of Democratic congressional victories in 2006 coincided with public distaste for the war. Independent voters increasingly see keeping troops in Iraq as the right thing to do, a plus for many Republican candidates—particularly presidential hopeful John McCain. Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton say they will draw down troops quickly. (More Iraq stories.)