Modified from WSJ

Modified from WSJ

Because of the quality of the pollsters, the NBC/WSJ poll is one of the most respected of the media polls. This month's version is a partial release, but there's some interesting data here.

As you can see from the above graphic, some of the numbers aren't stellar, but the trends certainly are in the right direction, at just the right time. As Newt and Mitt slug it out in Florida for Republican primary supremacy, alienating just about everyone on the way, Obama's message is this: "while you guys release your tax statements and historian consulting contracts, I'm going after economic fairness and the right to do my job. And, by the way, if you want to play alpha male and pound each other to see who's the bigger asshole, I'll just free me some hostages and kill a few thugs and crooks in the process. And if you still don't get the message, see me in November."

It may or may not work as planned, but he's off to a good start.

From First Read:

"The calendar says it’s the dead of winter, but for President Obama, these results must feel like the start of spring," said Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff.

From the WSJ:

"Republicans had better bring their A game to the election in November, as today's results are a reminder that as attitudes about the economy improve, so does President Obama's standing,'' said Bill McInturff, a GOP pollster who conducts the Wall Street Journal survey with Democratic pollster Peter Hart. CBS News [2011]

But Congress sees no boost from any emerging sense of optimism. Instead, its 13 percent approval rating remains near historic lows, while 80 percent disapprove of the way lawmakers are doing their job. That’s the same as it was the last time the question was asked in August. The record low in the history of the poll was 12 percent, set in October 2008, right before that year’s elections.

And lest you think a rising tide lifts all boats Now, take that well received SOTU address [my error, this link was 2011. See this focus group link instead: Buffett Rule non-partisan, popular with State of the Union watchers and State of the Union gets high marks from Ohio voters , says poll] and compare it to the Republican House (see 2012 House GOP 'agenda': More investigations, more obstructionism ) and you tell me who's winning.

Chris Cillizza has made the case that the debt ceiling fight was an inflection point for a feistier Obama. Whether it's that, the economy itself, the Newt-Mitt grudge match or the SOTU, something feels different in terms of the media coverage and the poll numbers.

Can it be sustained? Stick around and we'll find out.