But I should correct my statement from earlier this week when I identified myself as part of the twenty-something percent of Americans who approved of George Bush. I now have some more company. According to Gallup, President Bush is in the midst of a "slight uptick."

His current approval rating is 34 percent. Alas, those aren't Clintonian numbers, but they are less Nixonian than they were a few weeks ago.

The Gallup article (here) also identifies the upward creeping numbers of Americans optimistic about the "surge" in Iraq, which Gallup credits to the positive tone of press coverage over the past fortnight.

Of course, before you get too excited, the number of Americans who feel the surge is working is only 31 percent (but 31 percent with a "bullet").

I agree with the analysis. The good news on the surge has lifted the pall over the WH and the President's supporters. I feel a sense of hope reforming among the faithful.

Very funny but also instructive: According to the Gallup piece, NYT pollsters found similar numbers in their own sample. Astounded, they redid the canvass, coming up with an identical finding the second time around.

My Own Analysis: one other reason for the "slight uptick," however, has got to be the return of the temporarily disaffected immigration conservatives who rallied back to the flag as the partisan standoff over Iraq returned to the forefront and potentially comes to a head soon in the near future.

All in all, a little good news today.

The Gallup piece in full here.