Poll: Positive Feelings For Michelle Obama

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Michelle Obama

(AP)

A new CBS News/New York Times poll out Sunday finds that Americans feel largely positive towards incoming first lady Michelle Obama – more positive, in fact, than they have about past incoming first ladies.

Forty-six percent of those surveyed say they have a favorable opinion of Michelle Obama, while just seven percent say their opinion is not favorable. An additional 45 percent are undecided or do not have an opinion.

Compare that with first ladies past: Laura Bush had a 30 percent favorable rating when she entered the White House, while Hillary Clinton's favorable rating stood at 38 percent. Barbara Bush's favorable rating at the start of her husband's term was 34 percent, and Nancy Reagan's was 28 percent.

Americans feel they know more about Michelle Obama than her predecessors. In the past, more than half of those surveyed were undecided or didn't know enough about the incoming first lady to offer an opinion about her. Sixty-six percent, for example, declined to offer an opinion of Laura Bush at the start of her husband's term. That's more than 20 percentage points higher than the percentage that did not offer an opinion of Michelle Obama.

Women are more likely than men to have a favorable opinion of the incoming first lady: 52 percent view her favorably, compared with 40 percent of men. Men were more likely to say they are undecided or do not know enough to form an opinion.

You can check out recent CBS News polling here. Surveys out yesterday found widespread optimism about Barack Obama and pessimism about the economy, while a Friday poll found that President Bush is leaving office with the lowest approval rating since the question was first asked 70 years ago.

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This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1,112 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone January 11-15, 2009. Phone numbers were dialed from RDD samples of both standard land-lines and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by sydnitotsmom January 20, 2009 1:18 PM EST: WHY DO WE STILL SEE IN BLACK AND WHITE? WE ARE ALL PEOPLE AND WE ALL BLEED RED. GIVE THE OBAMAS A CHANCE WHO KNOWS THEY MIGHT BE THE BEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO AMERICA.; Reply to this comment


by sydnitotsmom January 20, 2009 1:18 PM EST: WHY DO WE STILL SEE IN BLACK AND WHITE? WE ARE ALL PEOPLE AND WE ALL BLEED RED. GIVE THE OBAMAS A CHANCE WHO KNOWS THEY MIGHT BE THE BEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO AMERICA.; Reply to this comment


by ohioboomer January 20, 2009 11:41 AM EST: Gee, it''s amazing how hateful people can be. Must be because they hate their own lives. I say if you disagree that strongly about the new President, maybe another country would be more appropriate for you. Don''t let us stop your exodus!; Reply to this comment


by ken1dall January 19, 2009 9:18 PM EST: I wonder if she is related to James Brown of the Famous Flames. Probably not as he was better looking.; Reply to this comment


by mattermax January 19, 2009 5:37 PM EST: This is a new era. Our parents are living longer and I am not surprised that Michelle''s Mom is moving in with the family. The best move for Michelle''s Mother, Michelle girls and Michelle! A win-win all the way around. Besides, I''d rather have my children minded by my mother any day of the week than a professional. This is a real family with real values. I love it. They are a glowing example of love and extended love. First Family - We love you!!!; Reply to this comment


by irmcvet971 January 19, 2009 4:32 PM EST: o one really cares what the rightwing haters think! These hateful people, who can''''t accept the fact that their crooked party''''s finally out will never have anything positive to say and wants to keep this country divided! Won''''t happen! Your small insignificant minority can stew as long as you like, we don''''t care! We''''re moving on, I suggest you do the same!!

Posted by d106d at 11:55 AM : Jan 19, 2009

How many times I''ve heard this exact same position this week. American''s are flat out tired of Division, Wedge Issues and Shout downs. I''m afraid you are right but they will not go without trying to smear, defame and otherwise do the same things to Obama they did to Clinton. It does look like, given Clinton''s approval numbers when he left office, they would learn.; Reply to this comment


by irmcvet971 January 19, 2009 4:29 PM EST: i don''''t like her. whats to like ? she is a first lady, big deal...what a stupid poll. she reminds me of a dinosour, she looks like a t-rex or something.

Posted by cheddarboy82 at 11:28 AM : Jan 19, 2009

Wow! Talk about sore losers!!; Reply to this comment


by irmcvet971 January 19, 2009 4:28 PM EST: What''''s to like or dislike? She married the man who was elected president, big deal. Get over it! She was not elected.

Posted by stlouisman3 at 11:57 AM : Jan 19, 2009

So We can''t have an opinion of her?; Reply to this comment


by ofbyfor3 January 19, 2009 3:30 PM EST: Gee, when all else fails, attack someone''''s looks. Nothing like a well-educated intelligent woman to really **** people off.

Posted by dagrandma at 11:26 AM : Jan 19, 2009

Except that TexHillGirl is FAR from being the well-educated intelligent woman that Michelle Obama is.

Only in her dreams...; Reply to this comment


by dagrandma January 19, 2009 3:13 PM EST: I really don''''t care for her,after her comments.Funny how getting a bunch of money from fannie and Chicago politics can make you a proud American. Now nothing but a big smile.
Posted by specialty8

Specialty8: You need to do a little research.; Reply to this comment