Bush has huevos the size of Texas. He knows damn well that the vocal Left in Britain will be out in full force and still he goes:

More than half of Labour supporters back US President George Bush’s state visit to Britain, according to a survey released today.

They were among an overall 43% of voters who told pollsters ICM they welcomed the visit – some 7% more than the 36% who said they would prefer the President to stay away. Twelve per cent were undecided.

The survey, to be published in The Guardian tomorrow as Mr Bush flies to the UK, contradicted the widely-held assumption that the visit will damage Prime Minister Tony Blair.

It recorded improved ratings for the Prime Minister personally, as well as a slump in opposition to the war in Iraq.

And it indicated that public opinion in Britain is overwhelmingly pro-American, with 62% of respondents agreeing the US was “generally speaking, a force for good”, compared to 15% who described it as “an evil empire”.

More of those questioned said they were dissatisfied with Mr Blair’s performance (52%) than satisfied (40%). But his overall popularity rating of minus-12 was an improvement on last month’s minus-18.

Opposition to war in Iraq fell by 12 points since September to 41% of all voters, the poll suggested. Meanwhile, pro-war sentiment grew by nine points to 47%.

And some two-thirds of those questioned said that British and American troops should not withdraw from Iraq now, but remain until the situation in the country is more stable.

Liberal Democrat supporters were most opposed to Mr Bush’s visit, with 43% saying they would prefer he did not come, compared to 39% who said they welcomed him.

A majority of Labour voters – 51% – said they backed the visit, against 34% who wanted the President to stay away.

Some 45% of those describing themselves as Conservatives welcomed the President’s visit, against 37% opposed to it.

Hostility to the visit was strongest among over-65s and least strong among people in their 20s.

ICM questioned 1,002 adults between November 14 and 16.

You can read about the crazed crowds expected here, here, and here.