DEMS ARE BOUNCING – AT 10:01 A.M. ET:  Rasmussen reports that the president continues to get a bounce from his State of the Union speech.  However, it comes almost entirely from his own party:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 33% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -7 (see trends).

This is the first update based entirely upon interviews conducted since the State-of-the-Union Address and it reflects a bounce for the President. The number who Strongly Approve is the highest in more than four months (since September) and the overall Approval Index rating is the best in more than three months (since October).

And now the details:

The bounce comes almost entirely from those in the president’s party. Sixty-four percent (64%) of Democrats now Strongly Approve, up from 50% before the speech. However, the speech appears to have had the opposite impact on unaffiliated voters. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 50% now Strongly Disapprove. That’s up from 42% before the speech. The next few days should give an indication as to whether these changes will fade or if they signify the beginning of a new phase in the political environment.

So the president has, at least temporarily, strengthened himself among his base.  I suspect the coming weeks will show slippage again.  Also, the fact that the president actually lose support among independents as a result of the SOTU has to have the White House worried.

Overall, 50% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. That’s up four points since the morning of the speech and is the first time his approval has reached 50% among likely voters since November 16. Fifty percent now (50%) disapprove.

Not exactly impressive.  The bounce in his own party didn't even get Obama over 50%. 

Finally, the president did not indicate any change of direction, although change could, of course, come through actions.  Unless the voters see change they can actually believe in, Mr. Obama's numbers will go Titanic again.

January 31,  2010