Political Skullduggery

With the federally mandated use of electronic voting technology, the opinions of the American voters may not really matter. But the results of this new poll are interesting nevertheless.

Public confidence in GOP governance has plunged to the lowest levels of the Bush presidency, with Americans saying by wide margins that they now trust Democrats more than Republicans to deal with Iraq, the economy, immigration and other issues, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll that underscores the GOP's fragile grip on power six months before the midterm elections.

Dissatisfaction with the administration's policies in Iraq has overwhelmed other issues as the source of problems for President Bush and the Republicans. The survey suggests that pessimism about the direction of the country -- 69 percent said the nation is now off track -- and disaffection with Republicans have dramatically improved Democrats' chances to make gains in November.

Democrats are now favored to handle all 10 issues measured in the Post-ABC News poll. The survey shows a majority of the public, 56 percent, saying they would prefer to see Democrats in control of Congress after the elections.

The American people are belatedly concluding that, contrary to administration assertions, the war in Iraq is not making the Middle East safe for democracy. Not to mention that it has spawned a new generation of terrorists.

Will the public punish the Republicans for the Iraq mess in the mid-term elections? Who knows. Chances are, even if these dismal polls hold up, the final tally may be adjusted to maintain the status quo.