Polls detect signs of bounce for Obama

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama appeared to get a modest boost from this week's Democratic convention, polls indicated.

The Gallup national tracking poll released Saturday gave Obama a 4-point lead over Republican nominee Mitt Romney, 49-45, a 1-point increase from Friday and a 2-point pickup since Thursday. Gallup's job approval rating Saturday indicated 49 percent approved of the president's performance in office and 42 percent disapproved.

The Gallup survey caught the eye of political analysts because of its running nature. It covers a seven-day window, so voters were being surveyed in the afterglow of the Republican convention in Tampa, Fla., and before the Democrats took the stage in Charlotte, N.C.

The Gallup seven-day rolling poll will not reflect exclusively post-convention opinion until Sept. 15.

The Rasmussen three-day rolling sample Saturday showed Obama leading Romney 46-44. Rasmussen said Obama was "enjoying a convention bounce that has been evident in the last two nights of tracking data" -- beginning with Wednesday's address by former President Bill Clinton at the Democratic National Convention.

Rasmussen also noted Democratic interest in the campaign has increased, with party members now following the campaign as closely as their Republican counterparts.