Logo

WASHINGTON — The day after the election, Barack Obama was viewed more favorably by Americans than his wife, Michelle.
Not any more.

A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken over the past week shows a surge in positive views of the first lady even as her husband's ratings have eroded. Michelle Obama is now viewed more favorably than the president, and her standing is nearly 50% higher than Vice President Biden.

POPULARITY: Track Americans' approval of presidents
HEALTH HULA: First lady promotes good habits
"She has conducted herself as an educated, sensitive, down-to-earth woman — not a black woman, a woman — like when she does the gardening (to promote healthful eating) and taking care of the family," says Rosemarie Tate, 55, a registered dietitian from West Hartford, Conn., who was among those called in the poll. "Those are values that everybody shares."

As the first anniversary of Obama's election approaches, the poll finds:

•Barack Obama is viewed favorably by 55%, unfavorably by 42%. Non-Hispanic whites are evenly split, 49%-49%, while his rating among blacks is overwhelmingly positive, 90%-9%.

The day after his election, on Nov. 5, 2008, his overall favorable rating was 68%-27%.

•Michelle Obama is viewed favorably by 61%, unfavorably by 25%. Her standing among non-Hispanic whites is 57%-30%; among blacks, it is 91%-5%.

About a year ago, in a USA TODAY poll taken Sept. 5-7, 2008, her overall favorable rating was 54%-30%.

•Biden is viewed favorably by 42%, unfavorably by 40%. Down from 59%-29% last November, that's a steeper fall than his boss.