The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that Americans are fairly evenly divided on the question of whether Iraq is like Vietnam. Forty-seven percent (47%) believe that, from the perspective of the United States, Iraq is like Vietnam. Forty-four percent (44%) disagree and say it is not.

Republicans, by a 61% to 29% comparison, say Iraq is not like Vietnam. Democrats, by a 59% to 33% margin, say they are similar.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of voters say that our biggest mistake in Vietnam was getting involved in the first place. Forty-two percent (42%) say the mistake was using the wrong strategy to accomplish the nation’s goals.

The numbers are strikingly similar for Iraq. Forty-nine percent (49%) say it was a mistake for the U.S. to get involved in the first place while 41% believe the wrong strategy was used.

In both cases, a majority of Democrats say the mistake was getting involved. A majority of Republicans say the mistake was using the wrong strategy. The gap between the parties is somewhat bigger on Iraq than Vietnam.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of Americans believe it is possible for the next President to resolve the situation in Iraq in a manner that is good for the United States. Twenty-six percent (26%) disagree while 27% are not sure.

On this question, there is an unusual partisan split. Fifty-one percent (51%) of Republicans agree that it is possible for the next President to successfully resolve the situation in Iraq. An identical percentage of Democrats agree. However, those not affiliated with either major party are more pessimistic. Only 38% of unaffiliateds say a successful resolution is possible while 31% disagree and say that goal is not within reach for the next President.

Seventy-four percent (74%) of Americans correctly identified Vietnam as the War that cost the lives of more U.S. soldiers. Eleven percent (11%) thought more died in Iraq and six percent (6%) thought losses were about the same. Nine percent (9%) are not sure.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.