NEW BOUNCE FOR OBAMA - AT 9:47 A.M. ET:  Rasmussen is reporting a small bounce for the president, possibly due to his active international week at the UN, where he's a star attraction.

In overall approval, the president is ahead, 51% to 48%, his best showing in about ten days.  In Ras's presidential approval index, measuring the gap between those who strongly approve of Mr. Obama's performance, and those who strongly disapprove, the president is behind by five points, 33% to 38%, his best performance in about eight days.

If past trends continue, this slight bounce will disappear within a week or so.  Even with the bounce, the president's numbers are not the kind you post on the refrigerator.  He is struggling to stay above the 50% mark, with many difficult decisions confronting him.

September 24, 2009