THE PRESIDENT RISES – AT 11:16 A.M. ET:  The start of this week saw the president dipping in the Rasmussen daily tracker, for some unknown reason.  Was there reason to be concerned?  I don't know, but today shows an important rise, from 46% to 48%.  He's still beating Obama.  From Rasmussen: 

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump’s job performance. Fifty percent (50%) disapprove. 

The latest figures include 36% who Strongly Approve of the way Trump is performing and 41% who Strongly Disapprove. This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -5.

COMMENT:  The 2020 presidential sweepstakes have already begun.  The Democrats have seven to eight thousand presidential candidates, none of whom are outstanding.  The Republicans have the president, but there are some pretenders lining up.  It is said that one Jeff Flake might challenge Mr. Trump for the nomination.  Or maybe Ohio Governor John Kasich.  Or one of the oldies might return to the campaign trail.  The level of resistance within the Republican Party to the president, and it is there, will largely be determined by his standing in the polls. 

November 15,  2018