ANOTHER BLOW TO CLINTON – AT 9:29 A.M. ET:  This is clearly a trend, but trends don't necessarily last.  From Rasmussen: 

Hillary Clinton’s post-convention lead has disappeared, putting her behind Donald Trump for the first time nationally since mid-July.

The latest weekly Rasmussen Reports White House Watch national telephone and online survey shows Trump with 40% support to Clinton’s 39% among Likely U.S. Voters, after Clinton led 42% to 38% a week ago. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson now earns seven percent (7%) of the vote, down from nine percent (9%) the previous two weeks, while Green Party candidate Jill Stein picks up three percent (3%) support. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Clinton's support has been trending down from a high of 44% in early August just after the Democratic National Convention. This is her lowest level of support since mid-July. Trump's support has been eroding, too, from his high of 44% at that time. A one-point lead is statistically insignificant in a survey with a +/- 3 percentage point of margin of error. It highlights, however, that this remains a very close race.

Both major candidates have lost some support this week from voters in their respective parties. Trump now has the backing of 71% of Republicans, down from 76% a week ago. Clinton has 73% of the Democratic vote, down from 79% in the previous survey. Trump attracts 15% of Democrats, while 12% of Republicans prefer Clinton. The GOP nominee continues to hold a small lead among voters not affiliated with either major political party, this week leading 36% to 28%.

COMMENT:  I haven't seen a single poll showing an increase in Clinton's support.  Of course, we should point out that this is the last week of "summer," on the political calendar, and the main campaign starts Tuesday.  I've watched Clinton speak recently, and she comes off as weak, even uninterested.  Trump, however, whether one likes him or not, is energetic and more engaged than ever. 

Everything can change in an instant, and the election is a bit more than two months away.  That's five lifetimes in politics.

September 1,  2016