If Rasmussen didn't exist, Power Line would have to invent it

Rasmussen's daily tracking poll really has become a lifeline for conservative bloggers who cling to the notion that Obama's not really that popular and that Americans don't really approve of him. The far-right outpost Power Line takes great comfort from Rasmussen's latest findings. Here's Power Line breaking the good news to readers:

Overall, Obama's approval rating of 55% is remarkably steady and not very high for a President still in his first three months in office. The significance of the current numbers is that the small bounce Obama got from his apology tour of Europe was transient.

Keep in mind that Rasmussen consistently tracks Obama's approval rating well below most other pollsters. And also keep in mind that Rasmussen served as something of a GOP lifeline last fall because it was perhaps the only major polling firm that showed McCain with even the slightest chance at winning down the stretch. But none of that matters to Power Line because Rasmussen says Obama's approval rating is just 55%.

What vital information does Power Line protect its readers from digesting? Just the recent CNN poll that showed Obama enjoying a 66% approval rating, and the CBS/NYT poll that also pegged Obama's rating at a sky-high 66%. Or that 71% trust Obama to fix the economy, according to Gallup. Or that CBS/NYT found 35% think America is heading in the right direction, which marks a three-year high.

But for Power Line, none of that matters because Rasmussen says Obama is doing just OK. And if that poll it didn't exist, Power Line would likely invent it.