An ABC News poll shows that public support for war is edging down despite the administration's full-court press to start one. 61 percent support war, but that's down from 68 after Bush's UN speech. That support is conditional, with just 46 percent backing unilateral war, and far fewer if a costly ground war is required. Given the fact the US makes up a daily excuse for war, the numbers are particularly telling. Bush and his people are failing miserably to make a case for war.

Interestingly, 21 percent of respondents said they would be more apt to elect a member of Congress authorizing war, while 38 percent said they would be less likely. Numbers like that should embolden Democrats and some Republicans to take a stand against the war.

Finally, 53 percent of respondents believe the economy is headed in the wrong direction, compared to 43 who bizarrely think everything is peachy. Those numbers cannot reassure Republicans this fall.