A FUNNY THING HAPPENED TO OBAMA ON THE WAY TO DEIFICATION – AT 7:52 P.M. ET:  We kind of knew that Obama's godlike image would fade, and that George W. Bush would be resurrected.  We just didn't think it would happen this soon.  Bush is back with a book, and Americans seem to like him:

Good thing President Obama fled overseas after the disastrous Democratic outcomes in the midterm election.

He wouldn't want to see Tuesday's new poll numbers.

Gallup just announced that Americans' favorable opinions of George W. Bush are rising as the Obama presidency ages and now their favorable views of the Republican nearly match their falling feelings about the Democrat.

Gallup now finds that 44% of Americans have a favorable view of the 43rd president, up about 10%, or four points since the end of his second term in January 2009. Obviously, the former chief executive no longer has a job approval rating.

According to the authoritative RealClearPolitics average of polls, 45.4% of Americans now approve of Obama's job performance, while 49.6% disapprove, compared with 53% Bush disapproval. Obama's approval is down from the 70% range at his inauguration.

COMMENT:  Oh, I can just see the day when Obama secretly calls Bush for advice.  Now, I don't think that will happen because Obama's ego wouldn't allow it.  But maybe Michelle will call Laura.

Bush took a tremendous pounding in the press, and Obama has been treated like royalty in the press.  And look at the numbers.  What does that tell you?  It tells you that the American people eventually find the truth, despite the efforts of The New York Times and Christiane Amanpour.  Smart, those Americans.

November 9, 2010