AP Poll: Few expect victory in Iraq

Since the release of the Iraq Study Group report, George Bush has described it as "a really important part of our considerations," but that before any decisions are made he wants to listen to what the military has to say, and he wants to listen to what the State Department has to say and he'll meet with members of Congress to hear to what they have to say.  Apparently the only group he doesn't want to listen to is the American people.  

During yesterday's press conference with Tony Blair, Bush said:

And the objective, I repeat, is a government which can sustain, govern, and defend itself -- free government of Iraq that can do that -- and will be an ally in this movement -- against this movement that is threatening peace and stability.

That's Bush's criteria for beginning to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.  But the latest AP poll says that:

Americans are overwhelmingly resigned to something less than clear-cut victory in Iraq and growing numbers doubt the country will achieve a stable, democratic government no matter how the U.S. gets out...

Some 63 percent did not expect a stable, democratic government to be established there...

The survey found strong support for a two-year timetable if that's what it took to get U.S. troops out. Seventy-one percent said they would favor a two-year timeline from now until sometime in 2008, but when people are asked instead about a six-month timeline for withdrawal that number drops to 60 percent.

The poll, taken before the release of the ISG report, has dissatisfaction with Bush's handling of the Iraq War at an all-time high of 71%.  Do you remember when 51% was a mandate?