THE CLOSING GAP - AT 10:02 A.M. ET:  Rasmussen reports this morning the narrowest gap he's yet recorded in approval vs. disapproval of President Obama.  Some 51% approve of the president's performance, while 49% disapprove, a spread of only two points.  Please note, as we always emphasize, that a poll is a snapshot in time, and there is a margin of error.  But still, the overall trend for Mr. Obama is downward.  People like the president personally, but his policies are not winning many converts.

And the president faces a tough Autumn ahead, as the 2010 midterm races are launched.  He's got to show results, both domestically and in foreign policy.  He's getting very little help from foreign nations, and very little adult help from his party in Congress.

July 19, 2009