The first post-election update to our War on Terror tracking shows increased confidence regarding the United States’ position. Forty-five percent (45%) of respondents now say the United States and its allies are winning the war--a five-point increase since the last survey, taken immediately preceding the 2006 mid-term elections (see crosstabs).

This is the highest level of confidence measured in all of 2006. In fact, with just a single exception, it is the highest level of confidence recorded since December 2005.

The current results clearly show the impact of Election 2006. Democrats and unaffiliated voters are more optimistic than in the pre-election poll. Republicans show a slight decline in optimism.

Twenty-seven percent (27%) of Democrats now believe the United States has the advantage in the war, up six points since the beginning of the month.

Unaffiliated voters show a similar trend--37% say the United States is winning, up from 29% earlier this month.

Conversely, Republicans have experienced a slight decrease in confidence. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of GOP voters currently believe the United States has the advantage, down from 72% before the election.

Increases in positive sentiment are not restricted to perceptions of the overall War on Terror. A near majority (48%) says that the country is safer today than it was before the attacks of 9/11. That’s a six-point jump since the election.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) believe that the situation in Iraq will improve over the next six months and 45% say it will worsen. Those figures were 26% and 51%, respectively, in the previous survey.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) now believe that the Iraq war ultimately will be determined a success and 48% say it will be deemed a failure. Half of respondents to the pre-election survey (50%) said Iraq would be seen through the eyes of history as a failure.

Earlier surveys found that Robert Gates, the man nominated to replace Donald Rumsfeld, made a positive first impression. A solid plurality want to see him confirmed.

Another survey found a serious decline in confidence concerning America’s future --just 41% say America’s best days are yet to come.

However, the economic confidence of consumers and investors is within hailing distance of its post-9/11 high-water mark.

Crosstabs are available to Premium Members only.