Republicans in Congress may have successfully distanced themselves from the President on the Dubai Ports issue.

Forty-three percent (43%) of Americans say they generally trust Republicans more than Democrats on national security issues while 38% place more trust in the Democrats. That five point advantage for generic Republicans is fairly modest, but is better than the numbers the President has mustered.

A separate survey found that 41% of Americans trust Democrats in Congress more than the President on national security issues. Forty percent (40%) have more trust in the President.

Interest in the story remains very high. Seventy-two percent (72%) of Americans say they have been following news about the Dubai Ports deal somewhat or very closely.

The Rasmussen Reports survey also found that Americans remain evenly divided as to the balance between concerns about national security and individual liberties. Thirty percent (30%) of Americans believe our legal system is too worried about individual liberties; 29% believe the system is too worried about national security; and, 29% say the balance is about right.

These figures are little changed from a January survey conducted shortly after the NSA wiretapping story first broke into the news.

A related survey found that confidence in the overall War on Terror has declined significantly since the Dubai Ports deal has become a major news story.

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