Senators up for re-election in 2008 overwhelmingly aligned themselves with public opinion during the recent immigration debate. Yesterday, New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici (R) gave an indication that the same thing may soon happen concerning Iraq.

Domenici, who must face the voters next year to keep his job, broke ranks with the White House yesterday and called for a “new strategy” in Iraq. He is now one of six Republican co-sponsors of legislation that could lead to the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by next spring. Three of the six Republicans are up for re-election next year.

Both the desire to challenge the White House more aggressively and the desire to bring troops home by spring are in line with public opinion. Earlier this week, Rasmussen Reports released data showing that most American voters (53%) believe Democrats in Congress have not done “enough to change President Bush’s policies in Iraq.” The survey also found that 56% would like to “remove almost all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by early 2008.”

If Republican Senators up for re-election pay more attention to voters rather than the White House, President Bush may soon find himself in an even more challenging situation. The President’s Job Approval ratings remain low giving him little leverage in the ongoing debate. Adding to the challenge, the President’s handling of the immigration issue made it easier for Republican office holders to distance themselves from the White House without offending Republican voters. Overall, 50% of voters give the President poor marks for handling the situation in Iraq.

The measure supported by Domenici is being promoted by Colorado Senator Ken Salazar (D) as a centrist alternative between the White House position and calls for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Salazar’s proposal is based around the recommendations presented last December by the Iraq Study Group. Those recommendations attracted strong public support at the time and continue to do so.

In addition to Domenici, the Republican Senators who have agreed to co-sponsor Salzar’s measure include Senators Robert F. Bennett (Utah), Judd Gregg (N.H.), John E. Sununu (N.H.), Susan Collins (Maine), and Lamar Alexander (Tenn.). Domenici, Sununu, and Collins all face re-election in 2008.

Rasmussen Reports regularly measures and reports public attitudes on the issues and topics of the day. Latest updates are available on the Rasmussen Reports home page.

Rasmussen Reports also updates the President’s Job Approval on a daily basis and continuously updates favorability ratings and general election match-ups for all Democratic and Republican candidates. Also available are ratings for Members of Congress, Other Political Figures, and Journalists.

Rasmussen Reports also regularly tracks public attitudes towards Congress, the War on Terror, and other topics.