What A Difference A Couple Weeks Makes

Only a couple of weeks ago I commented on the prevailing sense of doubt directed towards Iraq. At that time a majority of Americans believed that both going into Iraq was not worth it and that it was unlikely a stable democracy could be fostered there. Yet only a little over a week removed from the Iraqi elections American opinion has taken a dramatic turn. According to the latest Gallup numbers, Americans are now very bullish on Iraq and it's prospects for democracy. For example:

• 55% now say going into Iraq was the right thing to do, up from 47% last month.
• 53% now say things are going well in Iraq, up from 40% last month.
• 64% now say it is likely that Iraq will become a stable democracy.

It's amazing what effect people exercising their long-deprived right to vote among mortar fire and suicide bombers will have on a dubious foreign country. Though the irrefutable success of the Iraqi elections was no surprise to me, the president, or most Republicans, it has gone a long way in alleviating some of the doubts that had existed in this country.

Some other interesting tidbits from the poll are:

• Republicans receive a 56% approval rating, while Democrats only receive 46%.
• 55% now think the president's policies will lead the country in the right direction.

Though the numbers regarding Iraq are important, the most important portions of the poll are those two listed above. President Bush's vision and policies were proven right in Iraq, and will continue to be, which undoubtedly leads the public to be receptive to his other policies and proposals. The Democrats' approval is so low because their doom and gloom vision of Iraq was wrong, and all Americans see now is a party in disarray with no vision for the country.

If Republicans want to keep their approval high they must continue to push their vision, bringing about reform that will prepare America for the challenges of the 21st century. In short, stay the course, Americans are with us.