Just 19% of American voters believe that the U.S. troop surge in Iraq was a success. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 43% of voters consider the surge a failure. Twenty-four percent (24%) say it’s too soon to tell while 15% are not sure.

Twenty-six percent (26%) of men say the surge has been a success. Only 13% of women share that view. Forty-two percent (42%) of men say the surge failed and 44% of women agree.

Republicans, by a 38% to 23% margin, say the surge has been a success. Democrats, by a 63% to 8% margin, consider it a failure. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 12% say the surge was a success. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of unafiliateds consider it a failure while 33% say it’s too early to tell.

Virtually all surveys on Iraq have shown a similar partisan divide, but support for the President’s position is eroding. Most Americans now want U.S. combat troops out of Iraq by early next year. Most American voters (53%) say that Democrats in Congress have not done “enough to change President Bush’s policies in Iraq.” Americans continue to view the situation in Iraq as the top issue facing the country today.

Despite the desire for a troop withdrawal, just 21% of voters now believe it is likely that President Bush will announce a troop withdrawal in the near future. Sixty-four percent (64%) say such an announcement from the President is Not Very Likely or Not at All Likely. It remains to be seen whether public opinion will overcome the President’s position on Iraq just as it did on immigration.

A related survey found that nearly half of American voters believe the withdrawal of U.S. troops will lead to an increase in sectarian violence. Roughly the same percentage believe that when troops leave, the Iraqi people will still be better off than they were under the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Fifty percent (50%) of voters give the President poor marks for his handling of the situation in Iraq. His overall Job Approval ratings remain near the lowest level of his term in office.