GUTSY OR NOT GUTSY, THAT IS THE QUESTION – AT 9:07 P.M. ET:  The hype machine that went into action after the bin Laden raid described President Obama's decision to approve the raid as a "gutsy call," this apparently to portray the commander-in-chief as a bit tougher than your average community organizer.  But many Americans beg to differ, as Fox reports in a new poll: 

American voters are evenly divided over how tough a decision it was for President Barack Obama to order a Navy Seal raid on Usama bin Laden’s Pakistan compound this month.

In fact, while 48 percent of voters think signing off on the raid was a “gutsy move” by Obama, some 49 percent think it was a “no-brainer” decision any president would have made under the circumstances.

By two-to-one Democrats are more likely to think the decision to go after bin Laden was a gutsy move (65-33 percent). For Republicans it’s the reverse -- they are more than twice as likely to call it a no-brainer (69-28 percent).

Independent voters are more likely to say it wasn’t such a big deal than to see it as a gutsy call (52-43 percent).
These are just some of the findings from a Fox News poll released Wednesday.

However, the president's overall rating has improved, showing how tough it will be to bring him down in next year's election.

Overall, President Obama’s job performance ratings have improved since the killing of bin Laden. Currently 55 percent of voters approve and 41 percent disapprove. Before the raid, 47 percent approved and 47 percent disapproved (25-27 April 2011).

The president’s job rating jumped not only among Democrats and independents, but also among GOP voters. Some 19 percent of Republicans approve of the president’s performance in the new poll, up from 11 percent (April 25-27). Obama received a similar bump among his party faithful, as 88 percent of Democrats approve, up from 80 percent previously.

Among independents voters the president’s approval climbed 5 percentage points to 43 percent. Still, nearly half of independents -- 49 percent -- disapprove.

COMMENT:  The fact is, presidents have at their disposal the power to make decisions and take actions that can improve their poll ratings, sometimes enough to win an election.  This president, trained in Chicago politics, knows that elections are about winning, not about theoretical positions. 

His ratings are likely to settle down after the bin Laden glow runs its course.  But don't be surprised if the Obama political operation has other tricks to pull.  Contrast please with a Republican Party trying to find a candidate who can arouse some enthusiasm instead of mild approval.  There are 308 million people in America.  There's got to be someone.  If he's underage, we can use makeup and lighting.

May 18, 2011