Michelle Obama's Strong Personal Image

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Michelle Obama's Strong Personal Image

As she begins her second year as first lady, Michelle Obama has a higher personal favorable rating than her husband, and her image is more positive than that of her two predecessors in the White House.

In a November survey by the Pew Research Center, 71% expressed a favorable opinion of Michelle Obama while just 16% expressed an unfavorable view. By comparison, 65% had a favorable opinion of Barack Obama, while 30% felt unfavorably (For full results from this survey, see "Blacks Upbeat about Black Progress, Prospects," Jan. 12, 2010.)

In her first year in the White House, Laura Bush's personal rating was a bit less positive; in July 2001, 64% said they felt favorably toward Laura Bush, while 17% expressed an unfavorable opinion. Hillary Clinton was less popular in her first year than either Michelle Obama or Laura Bush. In May 1993, 60% had a favorable opinion of Hillary Clinton, compared with 29% who expressed an unfavorable opinion.

Read the full report Michelle Obama's Strong Personal Image on the Pew Research Center's Web site.

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