if you are looking for some good news for Democrats, this national poll (not commissioned by Daily Kos, MoE +/- 4) has a whiff of not-so-bad to go with the "if only..."
After an unusually bad July in PPP’s national poll, President Barack Obama has seen a lot of improvement on several fronts. His national approval rating has rebounded, moving from 48-47 in June, to 45-52 last month, back to 47-48 now. For five of the last eight months, Obama has been one point above or below breaking even; in others, he was two points below and four points above.
PPP has asked voters’ approval of Obama’s health care plan for 12 months now, and with 46% approving and 48% disapproving, that is the highest level of approval and the second best approval margin since the first month, September 2009, when it was 45-46. This marks a huge shift since July (40-53). In another improvement for Obama, 50% still say they prefer having Obama as president, compared to 43% who would rather have George W. Bush back. In April, Obama won only 48-46. While independents this year generally favor Republican candidates and disapprove of Obama, they prefer Obama against Bush, 53-36, versus April’s 49-37.
When asked who they think is more responsible for the state of the economy, 49% picked Bush, to 40% choosing Obama. Independents say Bush, 52-38. Fewer Republicans, 75%, pick Obama than Democrats pick Bush, 81%.
While this is still a rough time for Democrats, the reports of Obama's political death are greatly exaggerated.
Note also, the health care improvement is not isolated to this poll. See Kaiser poll: Health care reform support reaches new high.
Now, here's a drum I've been beating:
"July could’ve been a blip on the radar. Obama’s more overt use of Bush in his stump speech of late could resonate with voters, particularly with independents who don’t want to return to past economic policies," said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.
There's still time for D-leaning indies to come home, but they won't unless we go out and give them a reason to. Reminding them of what Republicans under Bush did to us is good policy as well as good politics.
Still, keep in mind Obama's on a 2012 cycle while House and Senate Democrats are looking at 2010.