The number of likely voters who believe that the U.S. and its allies are winning the war on terror is now 38%, up from 36% in February, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the issue. Thirty-four percent (34%) say the terrorists are winning, 23% say neither.

Shortly after last November's election, 45% said the West is winning. The last time that half the nation believed the U.S. and its allies were winning was in December of 2005.

Fifty-four percent (54%) now believe the U.S. mission in Iraq will ultimately be deemed a failure, which is unchanged from last month. There are almost as many short-term pessimists, with 49% expecting the situation in Iraq to worsen over the next six months. Only 28% think things will improve during that period.

President Bush's performance in Iraq is considered "poor" by 52%, an increase from 49% in February. Just 30% currently say President Bush is doing a good or excellent job in Iraq.

The nation’s voters are evenly divided on the question of whether the U.S. is safer now than it was before 9/11. Forty-two percent (42%) say we're safer and 43% disagree.. Over the past several months, optimists on this question have generally tended to edge out pessimists. Exceptions were found in early January of this year and early November, just before the election.

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