A CBS News poll released today has devastating news for the Bush "administration" anyone who still cares:

Just 21 percent approve of President Bush's handling of the war, the lowest number he's ever received, and an 8-point drop from just a month ago. Most of that drop has been among Republicans and conservatives.

An eight point drop since the elections.

Full details available here (PDF).

The highlights:

The bulk of the losses are from among Republicans and conservatives. (And how could they not be? You can't get less than zero from Democrats.)

62% now say it was "a mistake" to send troops to Iraq.

53% now say it's not very or not likely at all that we'll succeed in Iraq.

85% of Americans now consider Iraq to be in civil war.

Sen. Gordon Smith may be the first to jump ship post-election, but he won't be the last. And with Bush now insisting that the ISG report supports his policies, but majorities calling for troop withdrawals, hard timetables, engagement with Iran and Syria, etc., Bush's last best hope is that the Republicans on the ISG blow up the bipartisan facade and allow him to pretend their report doesn't really require anything of him.

Will they permit it? Will Republicans, as a party, continue to allow Bush to abuse them this way?

UPDATE: Another key nut from the full report:

Approve of Bush's job handling Iraq

Now 11/14

GOP 47% 70%

Dem 5% 3%

Ind 17% 23%

Cons. 34% 60%

Look at that drop. Look at that!

UPDATE II:

More delicious morsels:

Overall job approve/disapprove: 31/63

Will make right decisions on war: Dems in Congress, 53%; Bush, 27%

62% say Iraq a mistake; in 1971, 61% said the same of Vietnam

This is about as vicious an ass-kicking as I've seen in a poll on an issue like this. Which, by the way, 35% of respondents now identify as the country's most important problem. Next leading contender: economy and jobs at just 9%.

The ISG is looking less like political cover and more like a courtesy flush with every passing minute.

Tony Snow: Call in sick tomorrow.