Obama Up, Dems Barely Hold for 2010

A year away from midterm elections, Democrats in Congress are breaking even with Republicans in a recent poll of preferences among registered voters.

If the 2010 election were held today, 46% of respondents say they would choose the Democratic candidate over a Republican; that percentage has dropped four points since the same Gallup poll question was asked in July.

Forty-four percent say they would choose the Republican candidate, with their backing unchanged since the July poll. Three percent more people say they are undecided, or would choose another candidate.

Meanwhile, another poll by the Associated Press shows that President Obama's approval rating is starting to rise again after experiencing a declining rating since his inauguration in January. The poll shows that 56% of those surveyed in the past week approve of his job performance, up from 50% in September. Voters say they are more approving of his handling of the economy and health care reform, but not the war. Overall, 39% say they disapprove of his job performance, down from 49% last month.