THE BOUNCE CONTINUES - AT 9:33 A.M. ET:  The president continues to gain in the polls following his speech to Congress last week and his all-out campaign on health care.  While bounces generally dissipate over time - which is why they're called bounces - the fact that Obama could turn things around quickly indicates that he is still a potent political force.  That political skill could be turned on at election time, and it can have its impact.  The presidency is still the center of action.

Rasmussen reports this morning that overall approval for Obama stands at 52%, with disapproval at 48%.  Contrast this to the Rasmussen report of September 1st, showing approval at 45% and disapproval at 53%.  The president has gone up seven points in approval and down five points in disapproval.  That is a dramatic change in his favor.

Just as important, passions against the president have receded, at least according to Rasmussen.  Ras's presidential approval index, measuring the gap between those who strongly approve and those who strongly disapprove, stands at minus three this morning, 34% to 37%.  That number was minus 14 on August 23rd.

If the president makes reasonable compromises on health care, and keeps the left wing of his party in line, he can retain some of this momentum, and maybe even expand on it.  His improving numbers could also help quell some of the small, but noticeable skepticism he's faced on the part of the more professional parts of the media.

For those on our side, the battle against the Age of Obama is far from won. 

September 14, 2009