Yes, it is now a trend — the media are reporting that more and more Americans are getting fed up with the war Bush pompously declared was over, and how we are handling it. Here is the latest:

Aug. 23 — Americans are increasingly pessimistic about the U.S. mission in Iraq, saying the United States should reduce its spending and scale back its efforts there, according to the latest NEWSWEEK poll.

SIXTY-NINE PERCENT of Americans polled say they are very concerned (40 percent) or somewhat concerned (29 percent) that the United States will be bogged down for many years in Iraq without making much progress in achieving its goals. Just 18 percent say they’re confident that a stable, democratic form of government can take shape in Iraq over the long term; 37 percent are somewhat confident. Just 13 percent say U.S. efforts to establish security and rebuild Iraq have gone very well since May 1, when combat officially ended; 39 percent say somewhat well.

It’s invigorating to see that Bush’s popularity has plunged 18 percent since April to 53 percent, indicating that a healthy number of Americans have maintained their critical faculties despite the noise and fireworks of the Bush propaganda machine.

Bush attack dog Andrew Sullivan is still on vacation, and I look forward to seeing how he spins this when he returns. He always placed great importance on Bush’s high ratings, proof that his imaginary “fifth column” would be vanquished and marginalized. He has to face the fact that Bush, his shining soldier, has lost the trust and the respect of much of the population. One thing’s for certain: he’s going to try to blame someone, and it will most likely not be Bush. (Based on past behavior, candidates would be Bill Clinton, the BBC, Paul Krugman and the rest of the SCLM.)