In politics, too many of us confuse the word opponent with the word enemy, even though the difference is both obvious and vast.

Let me cite an example from another discipline: Two prizefighters often can stand toe-to-toe and beat one another to pulp, then hug one another with mutual admiration at the sound of the final bell. Why? They recognize each other as opponents rather than enemies.

Too often, in politics, many of us fail to see the difference between opponents and enemies. I did not vote for President Bush. Since he is the president, however, I am obligated as an American to acknowledge that even if I don’t agree with how he got where he is and how he is handling the job, he is my president, too.

Millions of Americans have resented Bush, well before he first took office. If they wish to unseat him, their task is clear: vote against him and his policies and urge others to do likewise. They’d be foolish to encourage voters to see him as some sort of ideological enemy. They’d be wiser to focus on what he really is: one tough political opponent.

In October, President Bush had an overall approval rating of 39 percent in some polls. His disapproval numbers reached 51 percent, largely because the Iraq campaign was not going well at the time and many Americans were thinking twice about it.

But by this week, after the capture of Saddam Hussein, the president’s approval rating is back to 59 percent or 60 percent. Polls show that his disapproval ratings are around 39 percent.

Can Bush’s popularity be sustained over the 11 months remaining until the next election? I don’t think it’s very likely. It took only two months for his approval and disapproval numbers to change places, in effect, showing how quickly winds can shift in American politics. The bounce from Saddam Hussein capture could be ephemeral. Even if there is not yet a credible Democrat in sight, there are many potential mine fields in the president’s path.

Despite the passage of legislation that adds a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, polls show that just 36 percent approve of how he has dealt with that issue. Support for his position on the federal deficit and the cost and availability of health insurance has inched up a little, but the numbers are still negative. If the need for U.S. forces continues and if body bags keep coming home, it could spell real trouble for the president.

Overall, Bush is in better shape than most analysts predicted he’d be at this point. But it is too early to suggest that he is out of the woods. If you don’t believe me, take a look at what knocked George Bush pere from his perch after his enormous popularity following the first Gulf War.

At the same point in the 1992 election cycle, the elder Bush’s approval ratings were similar to those of his son: 55 to 60 percent, both having fallen from post-Iraq war highs of above 85 percent. By the time of the Republican convention in August 1992, though, Bush Sr. had slipped to 29 percent, and he lost to Bill Clinton by five percentage points.

George Bush Sr. was forced to seek re-election in the middle of a recession. His son will very likely run on the energy of an economic recovery. No incumbent American president in modern times ever has been defeated in the middle of a major economic expansion.

So he’s no enemy — he’s your opponent. And people like him. Just this week, another poll logged George W. in at a higher level than Colin Powell as the most admired American male.

No, next year’s election is not over. But as of now, the man in the White House is in good shape — largely because many Americans no longer see him as the enemy.

Claude Lewis is a retired columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer.