Obama Favorability Soars While Republicans Stumble

A new ABC News/Washington Post poll indicates that President Obama has gained a net 11 points in favorability in the past month while Gingrich and Romney has lost 9 and 23 points respectively.

This poll was conducted prior to Tuesday night's State of the Union address. A CBS News poll indicates that 9 0f 10 American who viewed the address approved of the proposals presented in the speech. Of those who viewed, 91% approved of the speech and 9% disapproved. Last year 83% approved.

It is obviously early. The improving economy and the President's focus on jobs, the middle class, and fairness in tax policy seems to be meeting with approval. The Republicans do not seem to be helping their image with the very negative, mean-spirited campaign they have begun.

Stay tuned for a long campaign season. This election could not be more important, and the two visions for America offered by the two parties could not be more clear, distinct, and different. Early on, Barack Obama seems to be positioning himself well for a second term.