On the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, President Bush delivered a nationally televised address to discuss the war on terror—and to defend the war in Iraq, which he contends is an integral part of the larger conflict. But in a survey of Americans conducted just a few days after the President's speech, Rasmussen Reports finds that his words did little to sway general perceptions of either.

Forty-one percent (41%) say the U.S. and its allies are winning the war on terror, unchanged from our poll conducted just days before the anniversary commemorations and the President's national address. Twenty-nine percent (29%) say the terrorists are winning. (see crosstabs)

In December of last year, 50% were optimistic about the war on terror. But throughout 2006 the number has ranged between 38% and 44%. After news broke this August of a thwarted terrorist plot in London, only 38% would say that the West is winning the war on terror.

In the new survey, 48% say the situation in Iraq is likely to get worse over the next six months, and only 28% expect improvement. Those numbers too are about the same as just before the President's speech. Forty-seven percent (47%) say that the mission in Iraq will ultimately be judged a failure.

Thirty-two percent (32%) now say President Bush's handling of that mission is good or excellent, 21% say fair, 45% say poor. Forty-two percent (42%) say we're safer than we were before the 9/11 attacks; 41% disagree.

Women are more inclined to be pessimistic than men on these questions. But partisan perspective has the biggest impact.

More than twice as many Republicans (68%) as Democrats (26%) say the U.S. and its allies are winning the war on terror. Three times as many Democrats (67%) as Republicans (22%) expect things to get worse in Iraq; and by about the same margin, that the mission in Iraq will ultimately fail. Democrats are far more likely to give the President poor marks for his handling of the situation there.

Only 19% of Democrats say we're safer than we were just before the terrorist attacks of five years ago; 73% of Republicans say we are.

In a related survey conducted September 10-11, only 43% say the war in Iraq is part of the war on terror; 44% say it's a distraction.

See also our story about the nuclear threat from Iran, which most Americans don't expect to see defused by diplomacy.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.