A new poll shows Americans are nearly evenly split on setting a deadline for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. According to the Washington Post and ABC News, the number of Americans favoring a timetable has grown eight points to forty-seven percent. Fifty-one percent oppose setting a deadline. Speaking at the White House, President Bush was asked about troop withdrawal on Monday.

• President Bush: “In terms of our troop presence there, that decision will be made by General Casey, as well as the sovereign government of Iraq, based upon conditions on the ground. And one of the things that General Casey assured me of is that, whatever recommendation he makes, it will be aimed toward achieving victory. And that’s what we want. ”