By listening to the presidential campaign rhetoric or watching the nightly news, one would not guess that the reality on the ground in Iraq is changing.

Security has improved significantly. Last month, for the first time, fewer U.S. troops were killed in Iraq than in Afghanistan. The numbers of Iraqi citizens killed has also dropped markedly, though it remains unacceptably high. This change is clearly reversible but the people in Iraq and in the region are starting to believe in it.

The headline from Gallup's latest poll reads: Americans Favor President Meeting With U.S. Enemies: 6 in 10 think it's a good idea to meet with president of Iran.

Hopefully, sound U.S. policy will be based on sound judgements and strategy, as opposed to opinion polls.  This specific poll, however, asked the wrong questions and is of little value.