Forty-three percent (43%) of Americans favor the recommendation made by General David Petraeus to withdraw 30,000 soldiers from Iraq but leave 130,000 troops in place at least through the summer. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 38% are opposed and 19% are not sure.

The survey also found that Americans may have resigned themselves to the fact that U.S. troops are likely to remain in Iraq for a long time. Seventy-one percent (71%) say that it is somewhat or very likely that “a large number of U.S. soldiers will remain in Iraq five years from today.” That would mean a large troop presence in Iraq when the next President’s first term is drawing to a close.

Petraeus testified before Congress for two days this week and effectively recommended that the U.S. troop strength in Iraq return to levels that existed before the “surge” launched earlier in the year. President Bush is expected to endorse the Petraeus recommendation in a nationally televised address tonight.

The response to the Petraeus plan is similar to results found in a survey conducted in advance of his appearance. Last week, a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 43% favored “a longer term plan that gradually withdraws U.S. troops from Iraq over a period of several years.” Thirty-five percent (35%) were opposed.

Republicans support the Petraeus recommendation by a 66% to 18% margin. Democrats oppose the General’s plan by a 55% to 27% margin. Adults not affiliated with either major party are evenly divided.

Men favor the Petraeus approach by a 49% to 39% margin. Women are evenly divided. Those with higher incomes are generally more supportive of the plan than those with lower incomes.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of Americans followed news of the Petraeus testimony at least somewhat closely this week.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) have a favorable opinion of Petraeus while 18% have an unfavorable view. A plurality, 45%, have no opinion of the General at this time.

A separate survey released last week found that just 39% of American voters believe the Petraeus report will honestly and accurately reflect the General’s assessment of the situation in Iraq.

Rasmussen Reports regularly tracks public confidence in the War on Terror and the latest update shows that 39% of Americans believe the U.S. and its allies are winning. Thirty-two percent (32%) believe the terrorists are winning.

Among leading Presidential candidates, 20% of voters name Hillary Clinton as the one they’d trust most to handle the situation in Iraq. Sixteen percent (16%) name Barack Obama, 15% prefer Rudy Giuliani, and 12% Fred Thompson. All told, however, 42% named a Democratic candidate and 41% named a Republican.

Overall, voters say they trust Democrats more than Republicans on a whole series of issues tracked by Rasmussen Reports.

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