The Iraq Study Group delivered a long-awaited report to official Washington and called for a fundamental change in U.S. strategy. There is broad public support for one of the bi-partisan panel’s key recommendations—reducing the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey finds that 64% of American voters favor “removing almost all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by early 2008.” Just 22% are opposed. (See crosstabs)

However, while voters are supportive of this recommendation, they are not optimistic about its implementation--just 38% think it is likely that most U.S. troops will be withdrawn by 2008. Most (53%) say such an outcome is not very likely or not at all likely. Other recent surveys have shown that voters have low expectations for what the President and Congress will accomplish over the next couple of years. However, a post-election survey did find that Americans have become a bit more optimistic concerning the overall War on Terror.

Neither Republicans nor Democrats are optimistic about the troops coming home. Just 45% of Democrats and 41% of Republicans believe that is likely to occur before the next round of federal elections. Those not affiliated with either major party are even more skeptical. There is, however, a huge partisan divide on the wisdom of withdrawing troops from Iraq. Democrats overwhelmingly support that approach while Republicans are evenly divided.

Just 36% of all Americans believe that the Iraqi government will survive as a democracy after the U.S. troops leave. Thirty-eight percent (38%) think it’s likely will remain allied with the U.S.

While Iraq has been the dominant political issue of recent years, interest in the Iraq Study Group’s report is fairly modest among the general public. Just 23% of voters say they’re following news stories about the Group very closely. Another 39% say they’re following the news “somewhat” closely.

The group’s co-Chairmen draw reasonable reviews in the court of public opinion. James Baker (R) is viewed favorably by 40% and unfavorably by 34%. Twenty-seven percent (27%) don’t know enough to have an opinion. His Democratic counterpart, Lee Hamilton, is less well known. He earns favorable reviews from 29% of all Likely Voters. Twenty-four percent (24%) have an unfavorable opinion of him and nearly half (47%) have no opinion either way. See favorability ratings for 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidates, Republican Presidential Candidates, Congressional Leaders, and Other Political Figures.

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