Rasmussen: Mini-Surge for Bush

I suppose it should probably just be attributed to Reagan nostalgia and the fact that the press hasn't been able to beat the Abu Ghraib bongos effectively for a week. It's probably ephemeral, and doesn't mean anything.

But Rasmussen Reports is showing a surge for Bush (and congressional Republicans) in just about every measure:

* Head to Head: Bush 47%, Kerry 44% (Bush up two, Kerry down one from yesterday)

* Generic Congressional: Dem 42%, Rep 38% (stubborn Dem lead narrowed by 2)

* 54% prefer Bush on National Defense, highest in two months

* 26% Say Terrorists Winning... Lowest Level in Six Weeks

* 40% Say Economy Getting Better; Highest Since January

* Consumer Confidence Index highest since January

* 43% Say Bush Good or Excellent on Iraq Highest reading in seven weeks

and

* Bush Job Approval at 52%; it's bounced between 50 and 52 of late

So it looks like Bush is rebounding. Partly on the de-escalation of violence in Iraq, partly on the improving economy, which the public is finally starting to register.

It like Joshua Micah Christopher Thomas Steffan Geoffrey Tavington-Cavendish Marshall's semi-prediction of Bush's job approval falling into the thirties was, shockingly enough, hyperpartisan hackery.

"Where's the floor?" Joshy wanted to know.

Well, the floor now looks around 50%.