Back in the Game? Blunt Climbs to 47%

Governor Matt Blunt has climbed back to an approval rating of 47% among Missouri voters in the latest monthly SurveyUSA poll, a five point jump from August and a full 10 point surge since the beginning of the year.

While it's still true that a slim majority (48%) of Missourians disapprove of the Governor, the numbers are quite the turnaround for a man expecting a tough re-election fight in less than 14 months.

Blunt has a gender gap. 56% of males approve, but just 39% of females do. Blunt handily wins Hispanics, 59%-36%. Independents still break against him, but contrary to the conventional wisdom, in this sampling, Blunt wins over slightly more Democrats than he loses Republicans.

In the Ozarks, his approval rating is up to a sparkling 55%. 55% also give him the nod in Central Missouri. It's notable his numbers have improved in the cities.

Anybody have a way to explain this Blunt comeback?

Well, don't go further than the much discussed SurveyUSA sample. In September, 30% of the respondents were Republicans (compared to 35% Democrats). In August, just 23% of those polled identified themselves as Republicans. Back in January, 29% of respondents were Republicans and a whopping 39% were Democrats.

So does the sampling size explain it all? And do Republicans consider this September breakdown a more fair sample?