Poll: Michelle Obama Has Higher Favorable Rating Than President

First lady Michelle Obama has a higher favorable rating than her husband, President Barack Obama, according to a new USA Today/Gallup poll.

A total of 66 percent of Americans view Michelle Obama favorably, compared to only 52 percent for the president. The first lady’s current favorable rating matches her 66 percent average since entering the White House in 2009.

Michelle Obama’s favorable rating trails the 73 percent average of Laura Bush and bests the 56 percent average of Hillary Clinton. Interestingly enough, Clinton’s favorable rating has improved to 66 percent now that she’s secretary of state. The poll began in 1992.

Michelle Obama's favorable rating has averaged 9 percentage points more than her husband's during his presidency. Laura Bush topped George W. Bush by 18 points. But the average of Hillary Clinton's favorable rating was about the same as her husband’s.

“Given Americans' positive feelings toward the first lady, it is possible the Obama re-election team will consider using her to campaign on behalf of her husband this election year,” writes Gallup’s Jeffrey Jones.

“But if Michelle Obama were to enter the political arena, it could have a negative effect on how Americans view her, as suggested by the fact that Americans viewed her less positively during the 2008 election year than afterward.”