FACING REALITY – AT 8:12 A.M. ET:  We have not pointed it out recently, but President Obama's poll numbers have shown substantial improvement, placing him in a reasonable position before his reelection campaign.  Even Rasmussen, who polls likely voters, and whose polls have shown Mr. Obama's situation precarious, has picked up the Obama wave:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 25% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Thirty-five percent (35%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -10.

A month ago it was -18.

The president holds a 45% to 44% edge over a Generic Republican in an early look at 2012. Republicans hold a two-point advantage over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

That's essentially even in both the presidential and Congressional measurements.

Overall, 50% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president's performance. Forty-eight percent (48%) disapprove.

A month ago is was 46% approve, 53% disapprove. 

True, some of this may reflect a leftover bin Laden effect, but it seems to be holding.  The president is back trying to present himself as a centrist, and some people are always fooled.

The Republican road is a tough one.  The Republican landslide of 2010 is not necessarily predictive of 2012.

May 26, 2011