While President Obama's overall job approval numbers have slipped, voters still favor him and his policies, along with those of congressional Democrats, more than those of the Republican opposition when measured by favorability and approval numbers and who is trusted more on a range of issues, according to a George Washington University "Battleground" poll conducted July 19-23.

Reflecting findings of other polls, 48 percent viewed congressional Republicans unfavorably while 37 percent saw them in a positive light. Democrats were seen favorably by a bare 45 percent to 44 percent ratio. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is viewed unfavorably by 51 percent (including 43 percent who see her "very" unfavorably) while 32 percent see her positively, indicating that she has become a polarizing figure. The numbers on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are not very significant since 38 percent never heard of him and 16 percent had no opinion. Only 7 percent never heard of Pelosi.

Americans oppose the climate change bill that just passed the House - or, at least what they know of it - by 41 percent to 37 percent with 22 percent not sure, and a plurality believe it will hurt the economy, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted June 28-29.

That concern about the economic impact is clearly something the Republicans are already zeroing in on as an issue they believe will work for them. The National Republican Congressional Committee sent out a fundraising pitch today pointing to a study by the conservative Heritage Foundation saying the legislation would cost the average family nearly $3,000 per household per year.