The latest Rasmussen Reports tracking poll finds that 43% of Americans now say the U.S. and its allies are winning the War on Terror (see crosstabs). While that’s down slightly from 47% a month ago, it’s the third straight month at 43% or above. That hasn’t happened since the three months ending in January 2006.

During the first nine months of 2007, the number believing that the U.S. and its allies were winning fell as low as 33% and reached the 40% level just once.

Twenty-five percent (25%) now believe the terrorists are winning. That’s little changed from a month ago but down from 30% two months ago. Last month, when 24% thought the terrorists were winning, represented the lowest level of pessimism recorded since 2004.

The Rasmussen Reports telephone survey also found that 34% of all American voters expect things to get better in Iraq over the next six months while 29% expect the situation to get worse. That’s the second straight month that a plurality has given a positive assessment on the situation in Iraq. The recent increase in optimism is substantial. Just four months ago, in July, 49% of American voters offered a pessimistic assessment of the situation in Iraq and only 23% expected things to get better.

While the figures reflect growing optimism overall, a gender gap remains. Forty-eight percent (48%) of men believe the U.S. and its allies are winning the War on Terror along with just 39% of women. Men, by a 44% to 26% margin, expect things to get better in Iraq over the next six months. Women are more evenly divided--by a 31% to 27% margin they expect things to get worse.

There is also a significant difference in partisan perceptions. Sixty-six percent (66%) believe the U.S. and its allies are winning the War on Terror. That view is shared by 30% of Democrats and 35% of those not affiliated with either major political party.

Overall, 30% now believe the American mission in Iraq will ultimately be judged a success while 51% say the history books will judge the long engagement a failure.

President Bush hasn’t gotten much credit for the increased optimism. Twenty-eight percent (28%) of Americans say he has done a Good or an Excellent job handling the situation in Iraq. That’s down from 29% a month ago and 30% the month before.

Fifty-one percent (51%) say the President has done a poor job handling the situation in Iraq. That figure has changed little in recent months.

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