Michelle Obama: Bragging Rights
Email(Thursday update: Here’s an additional data point worth noting given Mrs. Obama’s tumultuous welcome today at a London event where she spoke on female empowerment: Her overall popularity is similar among women and men – 79 and 73 percent, respectively, have a favorable opinion of her. But 51 percent of women have a "strongly" favorable view of Mrs. Obama, compared with 35 percent of men – a substantial difference in intensity of sentiment.)
There’s some pretty good news for Barack Obama in our latest ABC/Post poll out this morning – a 66 percent job approval rating and advances in views of the nation’s direction. But he might not brag on it at the dinner table: There are even better results for his wife.
Seventy-six percent of Americans now report an overall favorable opinion of Michelle Obama, a new high for her and toward the high end historically: Gallup had Laura Bush topping out at 80 percent in February 2005 and Barbara Bush at 85 percent in August 1992. Both by then had far longer in the spotlight than Michelle Obama to date.
Her husband may indeed have grounds for jealousy. While his job approval rating is marked by deep partisanship (95 percent of Democrats approve, compared with just 30 percent of Republicans), her popularity does more to transcend it: She’s rated favorably by 91 percent of Democrats, 75 percent of independents – and 59 percent of Republicans as well.
Politics, though, does come into it, as that 32-point Democratic-Republican gap shows. Indeed Mrs. Obama tops out at 96 percent favorability among liberal Democrats, vs. her low score of 54 percent among conservative Republicans.
Even with those divisions, a 76 percent favorable rating is notable; Hillary Clinton never exceeded 67 percent in a Gallup poll, Nancy Reagan, 70 percent in an ABC/Post survey. So is the extent to which Mrs. Obama has won some critics over. In August, during the presidential campaign, 30 percent of Americans viewed her unfavorably; she’s now halved that, to just 16 percent.
The first lady also has significant intensity behind her popularity: Forty-six percent not only see her favorably, but “strongly” so – up 8 points since January, up 20 points from August and more than double what it was when we first measured her popularity in June. (And topping her husband’s 40 percent “strong” job approval, although to be fair, favorability and job approval aren’t the same thing.)
A mere 7 percent, meanwhile, see her “strongly” unfavorably – less than half its high last summer.
It’s the intensity measure in which groups differ the most. Sixty-five percent of Democrats see Mrs. Obama strongly favorably; that plummets to 16 percent of Republicans. Her strongly favorable rating is far higher among liberals than among conservatives (65 percent vs. 29 percent). And as befits the first African-American first lady, more than three-quarters of blacks see her not just favorably, but strongly so.
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I don’t know who they’re polling because it seems to me that Obama’s numbers are falling with each new “Porkulus” bill and talk of sacrifice i.e. higher taxes by everyone.What happened to his middle class tax cuts?And while Michele Obama may be popular,for the first time in my adult life,I am disappointed with the direction my country is taking.We’re turning to the failed policies of Europe,and even they see that Obama’s “stimulus” spending will bankrupt America for generations to come.
Posted by: Kim | March 31, 2009, 12:37 am 12:37 am
What would your plan be? And you are a hater so nothing the Obama’s do will please people like you. But you would like an airhead like Palin. Boy, can you see her fixing this problem with the tax cuts and then what?
Posted by: troyman | March 31, 2009, 1:32 am 1:32 am
Palin is one of the last real freedom fighters for the U.S. and the far left is desperately trying to silence her. She is a successful and popular governor despite relentless attacks as her opponents try frivolous lawsuits as financial distractions. Palin has executive experience and is trying to protect her state’s rights, federal strings and future tax hikes by refusing some of the stimulus money. Far left bloggers are waging a huge campaign against Palin. They will fail because she is loved in Alaska and she defends liberty. I admire her strength and capabilities. And Palin didn’t receive $100,000 in AIG donations like Obama.
Posted by: Denise | March 31, 2009, 2:02 am 2:02 am
I guess some people into freedom. I’m an Independent and don’t think Obama’s $3.8 Trillion budget is the wisest course during a recession. Even the Europeans can’t figure out why Obama thinks that taking all money from the people will stimulate the economy. One economist calls it “The road to hell”.
I hope Obama will do what’s best for America.
Posted by: Justin | March 31, 2009, 2:41 am 2:41 am
Michelle, with all your pride and beauty, we all love you!! Please take time from your busy schedule and help your husband fight “Big Business” to save us all!
Posted by: Mihann | March 31, 2009, 5:10 am 5:10 am
Even the Europeans can’t figure out why Obama thinks that taking all money from the people will stimulate the economy. One economist calls it “The road to hell”.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don’t listen to what they say, watch what they do. They are 3-6 months behind us on the recession their time is comming.
Posted by: Thinking | March 31, 2009, 6:14 am 6:14 am
I am “thinking” that spending money you do not have will lead to more pain and suffering down the road. And I cannot think of anoyone who has spent their way out of debt.
As for polls, none of us want to be unpolitically correct and say bad things about the President but we will say lots of bad things about his advisors, who I believe are jerks and imposters not to mention liars and thieves, and the congress.
So take the poll numbers, a buck or three and go have a good cup of coffee.
Posted by: david | March 31, 2009, 6:33 am 6:33 am
Maybe he can put Michelle in charge of Treasury…
Posted by: matt | March 31, 2009, 7:46 am 7:46 am
Our First Lady, Michelle will do just fine. Classy, intelligent and gracious.
Posted by: sngeorgia | March 31, 2009, 7:47 am 7:47 am
I wasn’t polled.
I voted for Obama, and now I don’t approve of his job.
Yes, I knew where he stood and what his “talk” was while campaigning. So you can spare me the speech.
I don’t agree with the amount he is spending. Or should I say the amounts, plural. Trillion here and trillions there.
Trillion just sounds like another word, until you realize just how big of a number that really is. Then reality will set in and scare you.
Convert it all to time.
1 Million seconds is aprox. 11 days ago
1 Billion seconds is aprox. 32 years ago
You better make sure you are sitting down
1 Trillion seconds is over 32,000 years ago.
Yeah, puts a whole new light on things.
Obama has outspent all of the last president and we are just 3 months in.
Posted by: Angie | March 31, 2009, 8:02 am 8:02 am
I’m like many others who have responded. Where are you conducting the polls. I don’t know anyone who approves of Obama or his wife. I would suggest that ABC and all others in the news media get out of the east and poll the rest of America. We don’t like what is going on and there will be CHANGE in the next election.
Posted by: Bill | March 31, 2009, 8:14 am 8:14 am
How was this poll conducted? I have lived in the northeast my whole life (Mass., NY and CT) as has most of my family with the exception of a few who moved to California. Not exactly red states. In our communities, there is a shocked speechlessness at the degree and speed of the massive spending bills coming out of the administration; a frozen sense of fear and anger that has taken people’s breathe away. We all hope for the best but there is an ominous sense of dread that has made our communities very quiet. There is very little joy or optimism.
Posted by: bct | March 31, 2009, 8:23 am 8:23 am
George Bush spent 6 Trillion Dollars destroying our economy and country. The figures from the OMB show that the federal debt rose from 4.5 Trillion Dollars to 10.5 Trillion Dollars during Bush’s corrupt and criminal Administration. The Republicans spent a lot of money to get us where we are today, and it’s going to take a lot of money to get us back on track.
Posted by: caliguy55 | March 31, 2009, 9:59 am 9:59 am
come on people, one of the reason it was this high was becasue it was taken when the markets were ok last week. do the same thing again this week and you would see a difference, also take a poll after he gos to europe. see what happens after he meets with them. again you will see a very dramatic change in aproval.
Posted by: commen sence | March 31, 2009, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
Who’s doing the polling!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: countrygirl | March 31, 2009, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
TROYMAN – SURELY, YOU JEST? Palin may have made a great contender for the Miss America pageant, but as a political leader? LMAO !!!!
Posted by: No Head in the Sand here | March 31, 2009, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
I give great credit to Michelle Obama, or at least to her handlers and advisors. She is coming across very positive and, dare-I-say-it, even nice these days. It seems the anger has been toned down and even her expressions and statements have changed. You recall even after Obama got the nomination she almost always had a sullen or surly look and would glare at speakers, particularly people from other parties or whites, even when they would be saying good things about Barack. Also, she would always denigrate the USA, etc. It seems that she had a change of heart or, at least, her advisors and handlers have coached her to be positive about America, friendly towards others of a different race, and smile more.
Posted by: Al | March 31, 2009, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm
I’m with Denise. Hopefully, Sarah Palin won’t be so disgusted with the media etc. who are so in love with Obamalama that she will come back to the arena and get the train back on the tracks! Who is taking these polls anyway?
Posted by: marlene b | March 31, 2009, 10:37 pm 10:37 pm
This just sounds like more biased propaganda.
I’d like to know just whom you are polling because everyone I talk to is really angry about Obama’s spending.
Also, most of the comments I hear about
Michelle O are very UNflattering. (I won’t repeat them.) And I am in NEW YORK right now hearing these opinions!
Posted by: Michelle | April 1, 2009, 11:03 pm 11:03 pm
Is anyone else sick of the bias coverage on GMA,I used to love the show,but now I find Dianne and Robbin are so pro O”Bama that it is making the show less creditable.
Posted by: Briget | April 2, 2009, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
Posted by: Al
I give great credit to Michelle Obama, or at least to her handlers and advisors. She is coming across very positive and, dare-I-say-it, even nice these days. It seems the anger has been toned down and even her expressions and statements have changed. You recall even after Obama got the nomination she almost always had a sullen or surly look and would glare at speakers, particularly people from other parties or whites, even when they would be saying good things about Barack. Also, she would always denigrate the USA, etc. It seems that she had a change of heart or, at least, her advisors and handlers have coached her to be positive about America, friendly towards others of a different race, and smile more.
***************************************
Are you kidding? You seem to be so hateful, that you are saying these awful things. Now I do realize that is your perception of the matter, but until you have walked in her shoes, experienced what she has, can you even begin to understand her reason, and don’t forget her right to be angry, if she was. And how on earth can you tell what someone is thinking about how they look? I think you really ,really like Mrs. Obama, otherwise ,why were you watching her so closely? Anyway, what can you do, she’s in the White House and You are NOT!!!!
Posted by: fempharoh | April 2, 2009, 12:16 pm 12:16 pm
I don’t know of a single person who doesn’t love First Lady Michelle and President Obama. The only time I hear any negativity is when I read postings from members of the angry right. I’m curious, when has Our First Lady ever been “angry”? The only angry people I have seen are hannity, o’reily, limbaugh, and the comedic team over at fox (not)news. It’s so racist to assume that the only people who are entitled to display any emotion, good or bad, are caucasian men. First Lady Michelle is a highly accomplished, brilliant woman who is an excellent role model for our children, particularily girls.
I suspect that’s the problem some of you posters have; her achievements far exceed your own.
Posted by: Janielle | April 3, 2009, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm
I dont know where ABC is getting their numbers from. Living in Central Florida I have yet someone who is in awe of the Obama’s. They are a bunch of hypocrites who are trying to shove down our throats their socialistic ways. If they are so socialist they should move to Europe or some communist country like Cuba. If I recall right, the man who inspired Obama, Mr. Frank was a communist. Michele Obama in my eyes and in many people I talk to seems to be a racist. I dont believe anything the media says anymore
Posted by: Diane | April 3, 2009, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
The Obamas are ruining this country with socialistic ideas. Michelle needs a stylist and etiquette lessons. I agree with Diane from Florida. My friends and co-workers are ashamed and disappointed to have Obama as President of this great country.
Posted by: nvbroome | April 4, 2009, 8:49 am 8:49 am
Justin said:
I guess some people into freedom. I’m an Independent and don’t think Obama’s $3.8 Trillion budget is the wisest course during a recession. Even the Europeans can’t figure out why Obama thinks that taking all money from the people will stimulate the economy. One economist calls it “The road to hell”.
I hope Obama will do what’s best for America.
One thing, the Europeans have universal health care, life long unemployment insurance and publicly funded retirement. Of course they don’t see the same need for stimulus spending. The people are always able to spend their money because their back is covered. It is not the same here, now is it? The bigger problem is that Europeans are not the consumers we are. They have fewer things and see no need for more. They conserve because it is the right thing to do. Stimulus would not have the same effect there. Plus, they are very scared of inflation which is hard to control anywhere but especially where there is such a safety net.
Posted by: Lauranovakovics | April 4, 2009, 9:07 pm 9:07 pm
I am very surprised that you would attack the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. I never saw nasty comments about a man who killed you children and left your money in IRAQ for a WAR THAT WAS AND IS A LIE. You listened to scary fake tapes and believed them; you watched the twin towers fall and believed that they were attacked. Please let’s not get it twisted. THERE NEVER WAS A WAR, IT WAS GRAND THEFT. You are so busy trying to attack the wrong person. YOU LOST YOUR JOB, YOUR HOME, YOUR 401K, YOUR MEDICAL BENEFITS OVER A FAKE WAR AND NEVER ONCE DID YOU SPEAK OUT OR SAY A WORD. YOU HIDE IN YOU HOUSE AND KEPT YOUR MOUTH SHUT. Now you have your whipping boy, so beat him into the ground. REMEMBER, HE DID NOT START ANY OF WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH. Why not be as silent, residual, and American as you were when you were being tricked and robbed. AS LONG AS THE ROBBER LOOKS LIKE YOU IT IS ACCEPTABLE. IF THE ROBBER DOESN’T LOOK LIKE YOU THEN THERE ARE CONSQUENCES; WE MUST POSSE UP AND GET THE THIEF.
Posted by: JADE TOLLIVER | April 5, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am
Who are you polling? The only thing Obama is doing is “destroying the United States of America.”
Posted by: Laura | April 6, 2009, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
If Michelle were not the President’s wife, who would really even notice her? She, nor he, are headed for sainthood in the near future. They are ordinary people who happen to hold positions of power and influence. Whether they are white, black, yellow, tan, etc. makes absolutely no difference – they are fiddling while Rome burns! They are just a distraction from what is really being done to this country. But who cares. Just as long as I get MY share of the pie that he has promised. Bush, Clinton, Carter, Obama… They are all front men who distract the public with prewritten speeches and empty promises. Let’s see what this puppet will be remembered for after his 8 yeears of fun. Will be be taxed at the special rate when he finished writing all his coming autobiographies????
Posted by: RealityRose | April 6, 2009, 10:37 pm 10:37 pm
She should enjoy it while she can, Americans will fight to keep our Country and our Constitution.
Why now, would we need such a bill?
H.R. 1503 – To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require proof of citizenship for presidential candidates.
Posted by: WeimMom | April 21, 2009, 11:25 am 11:25 am
When is the press going to face reality.
Are they going to give him a honeymoon on issues the entire four years he is in the White House. This administration scares me with their national and international policies. I know quite a number of people who voted for him who wish they could take their votes back. I hope the green tea party events get as large as the protests against the Vietnam War.
Posted by: Priscilla Pellett | May 9, 2009, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm