As conservative pundits line up against Republicans, over at RealClearPolitics, Scott Rasmussen says the GOP base may actually be returning home:

The political season has kicked into high gear this week and the initial news cycle features a bounce in President Bush’s Job Approval ratings. Our numbers today show the President at 47%, up six points in a week and the best numbers he’s enjoyed since mid-February. What’s fueling this? The Republican base is coming home. Today, 85% of the GOP faithful voice approval of Bush’s performance. Earlier this year, that level of support had fallen as low as 66%. Of course, it’s still early. It’s just one poll. It might be statistical noise or perhaps a temporary bounce following the 9/11 activities and the President’s recent speeches. However, it might also be an early signal that the White House strategy to re-focus the debate is starting to energize the base. Only time will tell.

Pundits tend to be more cynical than voters, so maybe Rasmussen is on to something.