USATODAY.com - Poll: Most support war as a last resort

Overall, 58% favor using U.S. ground troops to remove Saddam from power, a percentage that has held fairly steady since mid-October.

The survey finds complex attitudes on what would justify invasion. Two out of three, 64%, say the United States should first get U.N. authorization to launch an attack if Iraq defies a U.N. resolution calling for full inspections. The Bush administration says it could act without additional U.N. approval.

But 63% in the poll favor letting Saddam off the hook if weapons are found and he agrees to destroy them.

If U.N. inspectors find no evidence of weapons of mass destruction or facilities where they could be produced, 52% oppose sending troops.

One analyst says the findings suggest that President Bush should go slow in forcing a military showdown and be sure every peaceful avenue is exhausted.

Public support for Bush remains high. Overall, 65% approve of the job he is doing, down slightly from 68% two weeks ago.

A long slow decline in approval ratings, support if he goes very slow in Iraq. Rove is already planning the 2004 campaign so expect reasonably smart politics from the White House. You will also see ambiguous policies, where you have to see the details to get a clear picture. Iraq is toast, but it might be a slow burn.