The latest Pew Research Center for the People and the Press poll shows that 53% of Americans – more than half – now believe the U.S. will succeed in its goals in Iraq. That figure means that more Americans support our mission in Iraq now than have done so since the summer of 2006.

And that’s not all.

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.

And then there’s this about the impact changing public opinion could have on the election:

Democrats’ resolute support for the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces may soon position them at odds with independent voters, in particular, a constituency they need to retake the White House.

Half of self-identified independents polled now believe the United States should “keep troops in Iraq until the situation has stabilized,” according to polling data assembled by Pew at Politico’s request.

Meanwhile, the Clinton and Obama camps say they have no plans to take a second look at their surrender strategies.

As for the Democratic Party, 7 in 10 Dems believe the war is going poorly. About a quarter of Democrats believe we should maintain our presence in Iraq until the country is sufficiently stabilized.

While Democrats increasingly constitute the bulk of voters who support the withdrawal of troops, the public shift of opinion overall has been dramatic. As many voters now believe that the war is going “well” as “not well” — 48 percent each, according to Pew.

Pew also found that 49 percent favor bringing the troops home as soon as possible while 47 percent say the troops should stay in until the situation stabilizes — statistical parity between the two positions.

So, contrary to Democratic talking points, their surrender agenda doesn’t have the support of an “overwhelming majority” of the public.