Whenever I need to speak to an authority on polling, my first call is usually to Karlyn Bowman of AEI. She has just issued a new report on public attitudes about the war on terror and related matters. Highlights:

In an August 2006 Gallup/USA Today poll, 55 percent said they approved of how Mr. Bush was handling the war on terrorism. In November 2001, a Gallup/CNN/USA Today poll put his terrorism approval rating at 86 percent. Other polls tell a similar story. Still in most polls, a majority approves of his handling of terrorism. President Bush and the Republicans have lost the strong edge they have had on handling terrorism. Still, in most polls, Republicans lead Democrats on the issue. In an August 2006 PSRA/Pew Research Center poll, 57 percent said they would be concerned that Democrats would weaken the country’s efforts to combat terrorism if Democrats took control of Congress. Forty percent were not concerned. Americans’ responses to many questions about 9/11 have changed in the past five years, but not those on the likelihood of another terrorist attack. In an October 2001 PSRA/Pew Research Center question, 73 percent said there would soon be another terrorist attack in the United States. In August 2006, 67 gave that response. Few Americans think that the terrorists are winning the war. But they are not sure America is winning either. The August CBS News/New York Times poll showed that 35 percent believe the U.S. and its allies are and 41 percent think neither side is.