Three weeks following the battle for Fallujah, 44% voters rate President Bush's handling of the situation in Iraq good or excellent while 41% say he is doing a poor job in this area. That's unchanged from a week ago.

With the exception of a brief period following the Republican National Convention, the current figures are among the best ratings all year for the President on Iraq.

The War with Iraq was the primary issue of Election 2004. The fact that voters remain roughly evenly divided on this issue is the biggest single reason the election was close all year. Over time, events in Iraq will shift these perceptions in one way or the other.

If voters perceive success in Iraq, they will give the President more credit on this issue and Republicans will benefit in 2006 and 2008. If voters perceive failure in Iraq, the President's popularity will fade and Democrats will benefit over the next couple of election cycles.

Men give the President higher marks on the topic of Iraq than women. Forty-six percent (46%) of men give the President good or excellent marks for Iraq while 43% of women agree. Review historical data and demographics.

The electorate is similarly divided as to the President's management of the economy.

These President's ratings for handling Iraq are updated every Wednesday at Noon Eastern.