ABCNEWS.com : Poll Gives Kerry Slight Edge Over Bush
As with Bush's father, much of the discontent pertains to the economy: It's the public's single most important election issue by a sizable margin, and 59 percent — a new high for this president — disapprove of the way he's handled it.

Empathy and emotion carry hazards for Bush as well. Americans by a 41-point margin, 67 percent to 26 percent, think he cares more about protecting the interests of large business corporations than ordinary working people; the figures are essentially reversed for Kerry. Fifty-seven percent think Bush doesn't understand the problems of people like them; 58 percent think Kerry does. And in the broadest gap, 51 percent don't think Bush is tolerant of different points of view; 73 percent think Kerry is.

And there's been a gradual shift in emotional balance: By an eight-point margin, more Americans are now "angry" with the administration than "enthusiastic" about it, 22 percent to 14 percent. (The overall view is another even split — 49 percent enthusiastic or satisfied; 51 percent dissatisfied or angry.)

All subject to change at a moments notice, of course, but I like these numbers.