Free Republic

President Barack Obama's job approval climbed to 52 percent in the Gallup poll for the three-day period of Sept. 4 through Sept. 6, which is the highest Obama's approval has been since the three-day period ending June 1, 2011, when it hit 53 percent. On Sept. 3, the day before the Democratic National Convention started, Obama's approval had been just 45%. At the same time, Obama picked up ground over Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Last week, according to the Gallup tracking poll of the presidential race, Romney actually lost a point over the course of the Republican National Convention....

Heading into a critical period in the debate over health-care reform, public approval of President Obama's stewardship on the issue has dropped below the 50 percent threshold for the first time, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Barely more than half approve of the way he is handling unemployment, which now tops 10 percent in 15 states and the District. The president's overall approval rating remains higher than his marks on particular domestic issues, with 59 percent giving him positive reviews and 37 percent disapproving. But this is the first time in his presidency that Obama has fallen...