Last week Gallup found that President Obama's average job approval rating dropped to 53% in the third quarter of 2009, from 62% in the second quarter; the largest second to third quarter drop for an elected president.  See Gallup. 

Further, last week a Rasmussen poll reported that only "26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President" which is the lowest level of Strong Approval yet for Obama. 

"Thirty-nine percent Strongly Disapprove. ... Fifty percent of Democrats Strongly Approve while 66 percent of Republicans Strongly Disapprove of his performance." Critically, "among those not affiliated with either major political party, 18 percent Strongly Approve and 42 percent Strongly Disapprove."  See Rasmussen.

In contrast, President G.W. Bush, during his third quarter in office, gained +16 in approval, mostly due to his handling of 9/11.  You may watch a video discussing the poll findings below.

What does this approval rating mean for Obama?  Mostly that things change, and next month his approval rating may be better (or worse) depending on how the public feels about his time in office and his ability to handle the myriad problems we are facing. 

Tony Blankley, in an article entitled "GOP Must Embrace Voters' Passion" (see Politico) quotes Eddie Gillespie as saying the polling "shows rising numbers of persuadable voters who are growing disenchanted with the Obama administration's policies but nevertheless remain invested in the president. 'Our party has to bring those voters along with a critique of policies, not the kind of harsh rhetoric the left used against former President Bush.'"

Blankley also believes that this is a prime time for the GOP to stand up, make a difference and show some genuine passion for the issues.  Why does he believe this?  Because if President Obama's poll numbers keep slipping, we will see a good number of Democrats up for reelection distancing themselves from Obama to save themselves for November 2010.  Blanley points out the scariest part:  " . . . the price for both parties and politicians if they misjudge events and passions is going to rise."  I would also add that our country will suffer if politicans make wrong choices.