MORE POLL SLIPPAGE FOR OBAMA - AT 7:40 P.M. ET:  We always caution that a poll is a snapshot in time, and no one poll should be seen as the final word.  However, Obama's slippage in the Rasmussen daily tracker does continue, although slowly.  His worst numbers came today.  Some 54% approve of the president's performance, whereas 45% disapprove.  Margins of error can produce variations in daily results, but the trend is downward.  On January 21st, the day after inauguration, the numbers were 65-30.  A month later they were 57-41.  On March 21st they were 55-44, a gap of eleven.  Now the gap is nine points.

Rasmussen's presidential approval index - the gap between those who strongly approve and strongly disapprove - shows a similar pattern.  Day after inauguration, 28 points; a month later, 10 points; March 21st, four points; today, two points.

There were intermediate polls between those dates that showed normal variations.  And we should point out that polls by other organizations show a higher approval for Mr. Obama.  But Rasmussen has a solid record, and polls daily.  If Mr. Obama is indeed at 54%, there should be some concern in the White House.  An international defeat, or more devastation in the economy, could push the president closer to that 50% mark, with its psychological and political implications.

April 21, 2009