Falling Polls Are News ...

... but rising polls are not, apparently, when you're George W. Bush.

The Rasmussen Report has Bush's approval rating at 46%, up about 4%, though his number has always been slightly higher than Gallup and CBS, and Fox News Opinion Dynamics has him at 42%, up 6% in 3 weeks.

Today, 42 percent of Americans approve and 48 percent disapprove of the job President Bush is doing. Bush regained 6 percentage points from his standing earlier this month of 36 percent approval — the lowest approval of his presidency (November 8-9).

Much of this week's improvement can be attributed to increases in approval among Republicans (+ 6 percentage points), men (+ 8 points) and independents (+10 points).

Some organizations might not want to publicize improving numbers.  I'm not naming names, but I do note that CBS has not published such a poll since November 2, when Bush's numbers were at their lowest (and gas prices at their highest.)  Gallup most likely has polled on this, but they haven't released results ( I don't have premium access - nor do I really want it.)

You can rest assured, though, if they go in the tank again they'll be page 1 news.  For instance, see what you get when you Google News Search "Bush approval ratings" for the NY Times.  I see no stories documenting the recent rise.

12/3/05 1220: You see, I told you.  Here's a test for the MSM.  The President gives a rousing address that answers a lot of questions his critics have asked.  Do you a) inform the public of what the President said for a day or two, leading the news with the speech, so that more people will know about it, or b) rush to do a poll immediately following the speech so the fewest people possible can be influenced positively by the words.  Why, "b"obviously.