[DrDeb]

PERSPECTIVE:

Rather than OVEREMPHASIZE the meaning of one-shot polls, we should consider the results of more meaningful (ROLLING) TRACKING POLLS! I've been watching several such polls, which essentially support the following 'tracking' results from Rasmussen.

Rasmussen Tracking Poll
[This poll surveys 1,500 LIKELY VOTERS on a ROLLING basis}

Since the beginning of January, this poll and other tracking polls have placed the President's approval rating between 54% and 57%. Currently, January 14-16,2004, the tracking poll has the President's approval rating at 57% (35% strongly approve vs 28% strongly disapprove -- the HIGHEST in almost 3 weeks).

As most tracking polls indicate, a president's JOB approval rating CORRELATES with voter perception of the economy -- after the January 9 jobs report, the poll noted a job approval decline which has now disappeared!

COMPARATIVES
At this point in their respective presidencies, Reagan's 'Gallup' approval rating was 52%, Bush 41's rating was mid-40s, and Clinton's approval rating was 42%!

REMEMBER, IT'S A MARATHON NOT A SPRINT!

[nopardons]

That it is! Thanks for the timely reminder.

[onyx]

Exactly. Excellent information and I am duly reminded and grateful.

[deport]

Rasmussen blew it big time in 2000. So at this stage I don't trust his polling... Scott has made corrections and time will tell how accurate they were.... But you are correct that a one shot poll isn't the way to look at things over the long run. Here's some locations of polls showing long term job approval and favorability ratings.

http://www.pollingreport.com/BushJob.htm

http://www.pollingreport.com/BushFav.htm

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/NEW_POLLS/polls-GWB_JA.html .. ratings since inauguration

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls.html