Let’s all hearken back to about a year ago, and remember what the situation in Iraq was like. The media was reporting dire circumstances, no political progress, and high death tolls on a nearly daily basis. In response, approval for the war effort was low - and the election prospects for people like Sen. John McCain were dim.

Fast forward to the present, and we are experiencing success on multiple fronts in Iraq as deaths of both Americans and Iraqis have plummeted, political progress is being made, and the terrorists and Muqtada al-Sadr are giving up and moving to Iran.

And what of the stories telling the fatal tale of John McCain being the largest proponent of the proven successful surge strategy? Well, let’s go to the polls:

According to late February polling conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 53 percent of Americans — a slim majority — now believe “the U.S. will ultimately succeed in achieving its goals” in Iraq. That figure is up from 42 percent in September 2007.

The percentage of those who believe the war in Iraq is going “very well” or “fairly well” is also up, from 30 percent in February 2007 to 48 percent today.

As I’ve always said, Americans love to win - and as long as we have leaders like John McCain in America, we will win.

Obama = 47%

Clinton = 45%

http://www.gallup.com/poll/104530/Gallup-Daily-Tracking-Election-2008.aspx

Rasmussen Reports – Clinton leads in Rhode Island, Texas race neck-and-neck

Rhode Island

Clinton = 53%

Obama = 38%

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/rhode_island/rhode_island_democratic_presidential_primary

Texas

Clinton = 46%

Obama = 45%

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/texas/texas_democratic_presidential_primary

Clinton = 50%

Obama = 45%

http://trailblazers.beloblog.com/archives/2008/02/new-texas-poll-hillary-holds-t.html#comments

…isn’t even her. Not that surprising really.
That’s right - Hillary Clinton’s biggest reason to vote for her…is Bill with 26%. He just beats out “experience” with 23%. Whose experience, exactly, they don’t bother to delve into.

At least so says the New York Times/CBS News Poll released on Monday.

Also funny in the analysis is that Obama’s big debut of Oprah Winfrey might have actually hurt him with voters. One 1% of Dems say they would vote for someone because she has endorsed them, compared to 14% who break the other way.

Having gone to school in Denver for four years, I still keep tabs on Colorado politics as much as possible. Next year, Colorado will play host to the DNC convention for what will surely be a fun-filled week of imposing their left-wing values on a center-right population.

Colorado is also home to what some people say will be the most important U.S. Senate election in the nation (an arguable point, but it will be top 5ish without a doubt). The conventional wisdom inside the beltway has been that Rep. Mark Udall (D-Boulder) is heavily favored to win the seat being vacated by Sen. Wayne Allard (R). Republicans will nominate former Congressman Bob Schaffer, a thoughtful conservative (ACU, Human Events), and someone who represents mainstream Coloradoans.

It might be time for the Dems to take another look at the facts, however. A recent poll conducted by Rasmussen shows shows Congressman Schaffer leading the race. It also shows most Republican presidential nominees leading Hillary Clinton. The races are close - Schaffer’s lead is a slight 1% - but this is encouraging news for the campaign and GOPers around the country. Remember, too, that Colorado has a significant GOP voter registration advantage over the Dems.

One poll is no reason to become complacent, but with Hillary on the ballot, and Congressman Schaffer doing an effective job spreading his message of individual freedom and fiscal responsibility we have reason to be hopeful.

This will be one to watch. Go get’em Congressman!

Posted on RedState.com is an article noting that Dems going back to their districts have noticed their constituents aren’t badgering them about “pulling the troops out now”.

It seems as though success in Iraq is starting to change minds back in real America. Proof can be noted here in this new Rasmussen poll showing four consecutive months of growing confidence in our fight in the War on Terror.

The Dems are about to find out that apparently fighting to win in the War on Terror is not only the right thing to do in policy and principle, but it’s becoming vogue. Expect them to all change positions soon to pander effectively…