April 7, 2009
Posted: April 7th, 2009 06:00 AM ET

From
 Americans gave first lady Michelle Obama high marks following the first couples' debut overseas.
Americans gave first lady Michelle Obama high marks following the first couples' debut overseas.

(CNN) - Americans gave first lady Michelle Obama high marks following the first couples' debut overseas, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Tuesday.

Eighty percent of those questioned think the first lady strengthened the U.S. image abroad by the way she handled herself on this trip - virtually identical to the 79 percent who feel the same way about her husband's performance overseas.

The poll, which surveyed 1,023 adult Americans, was conducted between April 3-5 and carries a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Filed under: Michelle Obama • President Obama


Greenie   April 7th, 2009 9:56 am ET

Mrs. Obama is style and class and brains and beauty all rolled into one.

Judy Katits   April 7th, 2009 9:50 am ET

I don't understand all these so called polls on the Obamas. I have never had anyone ask my opinion. How can two people be so popular and have never done anything. Get a life people. They are human and because they are black that makes them special. I hope them the best but I don't think they have yet learned to walk on water.

New Yorker   April 7th, 2009 9:50 am ET

How many of those 1,023 were anything but Democrats? You can bet if the same number of adults polled were Republicans the results wouldn't be the same. By the way, where did the poll take place? Chicago?

Pat F   April 7th, 2009 9:49 am ET

I wonder if she still thinks Americans are "downright mean", or whether she is, for the second time in her adult life, proud of her country.

I don't like her – I will never like her. She's a self-centered ingrate.

Colorado   April 7th, 2009 9:41 am ET

Well, of course. They are a classy, handsome, wonderful couple! Love the Obama family!

feeling irie   April 7th, 2009 9:39 am ET

yea my girl friend gets jelous,she says i'm so in love with the first lady."oh well" lol

Skip1955   April 7th, 2009 9:39 am ET

What exactly has she done to deserve any marks and who really cares?

Faithful Democrat/Jacksonville   April 7th, 2009 9:38 am ET

I am very proud of our President and First Lady. Some say; he didn't get what he wanted but the point is; he did accomplish something. Even if it was not as big as some speculate. So something is better than nothing. I'm gateful and hopeful that President Obama has strengthened the relationship abroad to a point better than where it had been. Change is in the making and we must be very mindful in every situation and stop labeling President Obama . Let's not be so quick to judge and criticize "our President's" efforts. For the record; President Obama and First Lady are very autheutic people. They hold their own. Let's give them credit for who they really are and stop trying to make them out to be people of the pass. It's okay to compare but the picture should be very clear now...Who the Obamas really are.I love my President and First Lady. God Bless them and God Bless America.

Obama/Biden 2012

cnun3z   April 7th, 2009 9:35 am ET

everytime I saw them on tv it brought a smile to my face.

theresa   April 7th, 2009 9:35 am ET

They are both AMAZING!!!!!!!

We love you Michelle and Barack.

Hmmmm....   April 7th, 2009 9:32 am ET

I cannot say with any great certainty if I am for or against either of the Obamas. After all, everything I hear and know about them is scrubbed for me by the media. So I either read they are decendants of deities or the devil himself.

How the rest of the world gets enough good solid evidence to make such a deicion is beyond me. I have even taken to reading overseas news accounts to try and get a more neutral position but....hey....so write what you will, believe what you will- my opinion is I will never have the information that allows me to make such a claim- one way or the other.

Robin   April 7th, 2009 9:32 am ET

I'm starting to like her. She is a brilliant woman and looks to be a great mom.

But a couple of things could haunt her.

One, why did she sit in on Rev. Wright's hate mongering sermons? Is that what she believes?

Two, the remark she made about being proud of her country for the first time. Then again, if we all had a nickel for when we said something that came out the wrong way, we would not be in an economic crisis.

demwit   April 7th, 2009 9:32 am ET

It makes me feel great! that my JCCrew is fashionable even in Hollywood now!!

NYC gal   April 7th, 2009 9:30 am ET

Laura Bush was a very nice lady- she was kind and gentle spoken. I liked her very much. But I have to admit, I always got the sense that there was always something missing, something empty with her; as if she knew her place was to be to just smile and quietly stand back.

With Michelle, we know she is an extremely capable, intelligent, strong woman with a lot of depth. The funny thing is, she doesn't have to be in your face for us to know that. There is a quiet confidence about her that makes us all feel confident.

Unlike when Hillary was the first lady, Michelle has nothing to prove. (to hillary fans: please don't be offended by that comment as I love Hillary too- she just needed time to grow into the woman she is today)

Rob Johnson   April 7th, 2009 9:30 am ET

The one thing Bill Clinton never had, even at the height of his popularity, was a wife that was universally beloved and had 80% approval ratings. Have any President and First Lady ever had approval ratings that were so high at the same time? Maybe JFK and Jackie?

It may not be fair, or the best way to choose a leader, but being likable counts in politics. Republicans need to get used to the fact that the Obamas charm and charisma makes them a formidable opponent, in much the same way that Reagan was such a thorn in the side of Democrats.

RealityKing   April 7th, 2009 9:28 am ET

The media corruption on display this weekend was disgusting, even Satan could've got an 80% approval rating.., and eventually will.

Barbara - Atlanta   April 7th, 2009 9:27 am ET

What do you mean...the way she handled herself?

Karen- PROUD OF MY PRESIDENT   April 7th, 2009 9:24 am ET

I not only favor the First Lady but I like our new President. This is the first time in a long time we have seen world leaders starting to listen to America and showing some respect. The Europeans certainly didn't show respect with the former President Bush. It's refreshing. America must realize we can't go around bulleying other countries and acting like country must bow down to our feets. The same way we love this country what makes us think other people don't love their country. America has been arrogant and indifferent to other powerful countries. That's what got us into this financial mess and it's taking a new administration to get us out.

Karen- PROUD OF MY PRESIDENT   April 7th, 2009 9:22 am ET

I not only favor the First Lady but I like our new President. This is the first time in a long time we have seen world leaders starting to listen to America and showing some respect. They Europeans certainly didn't show respect with the former President Bush. It's refreshing. America must realize we can go around bulleying other countries and acting like everyone must bow down to our feets. That's what got us into this situation and it's taking a new administration to get us out.

Very Concenred Where We Are Headed   April 7th, 2009 9:21 am ET

Another biased CNN poll. They never speak to the people I talk to every day. If they did, they'd have a much different poll.

Eric   April 7th, 2009 9:21 am ET

It's nice to be proud of our leadership for a change. We were well represented as a nation and a people by the Obama's this last week.

Tim   April 7th, 2009 9:18 am ET

Great Job Mr President and First Lady. We love you both and support you both 100%.

one day at a time   April 7th, 2009 9:16 am ET

we have an amazing First Lady, she is concerned about our youth and encourages them to be the best they can be, unlike palin who exploits her family and young Levi, and then condemns Levi for telling his side of their situation, i realize palin and her husband considered leaving America and starting their own country, but this is America where we are entitled to free speech, Levi has the right to tell his side, palin is a despicable and sad person.

JJ   April 7th, 2009 9:16 am ET

First Lady is doing a great job. Way to Go

jm for sc   April 7th, 2009 9:16 am ET

Wonderful couple. Michelle is awesome!!!!

Jack in Florida   April 7th, 2009 9:10 am ET

She is a class act....what more can we say! Everyone can relate to her as she is a great representative of US women!

TRUTH   April 7th, 2009 9:06 am ET

They are a great improvement over the last president and first lady

Desmond   April 7th, 2009 9:05 am ET

The Obamas did exactly as expected, changing the image of the USA as they change the USA

because she is hot and smart   April 7th, 2009 9:05 am ET

not difficult to guess why we love her

Dawn   April 7th, 2009 8:55 am ET

Most First Ladies have a higher rating than their Husbands, First Lady Michelle Obama is no different, I have see her with the young girls in London when she was talking, it was very emotional. These girls hugged her and cried.

She is doing the job of a First Lady, and she is smart....

Sarah   April 7th, 2009 8:55 am ET

Well done, President and Mrs. Obama. Thank you for representing our country so well and making us proud once again to be Americans.

Irma in North Carolina   April 7th, 2009 8:54 am ET

I think this is great everyone can see that she is just a down to earth person. She isnt like Sarah who thinks the world should love her. Thank god she never got into the white house.

Proud   April 7th, 2009 8:51 am ET

She's just a amazing & beautiful lady, inside & out. What more can be said?

Susan   April 7th, 2009 8:50 am ET

She is a CLASS ACT!

PRINCESS   April 7th, 2009 8:49 am ET

God bless them!

Joe in Austin   April 7th, 2009 8:47 am ET

They are a beautiful family.

Sharon Kitchen   April 7th, 2009 8:47 am ET

She is as dignified as always.
Way to go 1st lady !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah   April 7th, 2009 8:47 am ET

Ever since Obamas appeared on the horizon CNN is so obsessed
with them that we are getting tired of.
You can't compare Michelle Obama with Jackie Kennedy nor Mrs. Carla Bruni as they are completely different individuals.
Please STOP making such a fuss about Obamas let them to be themselves.Often wondering who owes CNN and who are producers??

Briana the college student   April 7th, 2009 8:46 am ET

Go Obamas !!!!

BlueRI   April 7th, 2009 8:46 am ET

I could not be more proud of our first couple. How refreshing to be represented by a president who is not mocked/hated/despised, the same president who you could always find, whereever in the world he may have found himself, by the sight of burning effigies! On the contrary; Mr. (and Mrs.!) Obama are doing everything right and are beloved and respected around the world. May they continue to bring the message of cooperation, tolerance, inclusion and mutual understanding to all corners of the world.

RR   April 7th, 2009 8:46 am ET

and this matters because.....????

zaphod2000   April 7th, 2009 8:38 am ET

FINALLY!! Our president and first lady visit foreign countries and no flags or prez effigies are burned.
There are some who might have protested their visit, but it's refreshing to see the world, just like us, stand behind a man who is trying to do his best with the mess he was left with after eight years of the bush dictatorship.

Fitz in Texas   April 7th, 2009 8:35 am ET

As always, it just depends on who took the poll and where the poll was taken.

Take a poll in other areas and I'm sure the Americans there would give Michelle Obama very low marks.

Charlie in Maine   April 7th, 2009 8:35 am ET

We have crossed the intellectual and moral dessert of th Bush error. It is only natural that our first few days at the oasis that is the Obama administration be exceptionally sweet. But here is the best part; they are for real and they are ours for at least the next 4 years. Hopefully 8. For those who do not like the Obama's take heart. It could be worse. Just think how you would feel if McCain had won and the Supreme Court just stepped in and gave it to Obama. Man that would be awful- believe me.

phoenix86   April 7th, 2009 8:27 am ET

Image only means something on American's Top Model. For nations, image means nothing. Until Obama (and apparently CNN – except for Lou Dobbs) learns this, Obama is making the world a much more dangerous place.

sherry   April 7th, 2009 8:25 am ET

Both are class one......So refreshing to have The Obamas as our President and first Lady. They bring prestiege and credibility back to the white house.

DB   April 7th, 2009 8:25 am ET

A++++ I was glued to the television every minute I could watch, even waking up at 4 a.m. to watch press conferences. I can't remember ever being so engaged, interested, and proud of our President (and I've been around long enough to have watched 10 other presidents). There are many out there (I see their garbage on this and other blogs) who don't know enough about world history to really understand much of what the President has been saying but if you do know history and have a deep understanding of contemporary world events and cultural and political structures around the world, you know that the President was truly masterful. The first lady was icing on the cake.

MD   April 7th, 2009 8:24 am ET

Very proud of our First Lady and not surprised at all... Wishing them and safe and speedy flight home...

Brian G, Sugar Land, TX   April 7th, 2009 8:23 am ET

Michelle = the new Princess Diana.
She will get no relief from the papparotizzi.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   April 7th, 2009 8:19 am ET

Michelle is awesome.

lb   April 7th, 2009 8:19 am ET

Americans may favor her but you have to wonder about Europe with the mistakes she made. Was she not groomed or did she ignore the fact that you never touch the queen. To hug her was unthinkable. Then she repreats herselfs in France. When will she take the office seriously and dress and act appropriately with the dignity expected of a woman in her position?

Mike   April 7th, 2009 8:14 am ET

Other non political polls show the obamas way lower than this poll is showing, which I might add is probably far more correct. He(obamby) is trying to give control of our economy to the Europeans or the UN and that makes him dangerous to this country, he certainly is no danger to the muslim countries.

Deb   April 7th, 2009 8:14 am ET

As an american I am very proud of the way our President and the First Lady represented us in Europe. They exemplified dignity and respect...something lacking for quite a few years.

You Go Girl!   April 7th, 2009 8:10 am ET

She's already done more than the last one did in all of her 8 years. Obama is such a positive role model for our youth. I have great respect for her.

Dyeann   April 7th, 2009 8:06 am ET

I could never understand how it is always portrayed that 'most' Americans feel this way(in the headline!) when only 1,023 of us were polled! It should read "A miniscule amount of American citizens participated in a CNN poll and said they liked Michelle Obama". A CNN poll showing high numbers for Michelle Obama...go figure!

EBC, MD   April 7th, 2009 8:02 am ET

Michele Obama is our American "treasure". She's beautiful, intelligent, graceful and such a natural woman. I'm so proud we have a First Lady who represents the 21st Century and NOT those "stiff Stepford Wives" former First Ladys who behaved in such a puppet and robotic manner.

We wanted a REAL, DOWN-TO-EARTH and approachable First Lady and Michele Obama is THEE ONE! She loves to give hugs and she loves to reach out to the American people and to "REPRESENT" American when it comes to opening the White House and making it more of the "People's House" by thinking outside the box and bringing new and fresh ideas to the forefront.

Ryan Wing   April 7th, 2009 7:58 am ET

It's nice to have a president people like. And it didn't take 9/11 to make him popular.

Lori   April 7th, 2009 7:53 am ET

Of course. This President and First Lady are a class act. They are highly educated, intelligent and a family with REAL family values. Republicans tried to attack Michelle's patriotism during the election by misconstruing her words but it didn't work. She is an excellent woman and mother to be admired by all American women and she's married to potentially one of the best President's America will ever have. God bless the First Family!!!!

Amy-Proud Texas Educator   April 7th, 2009 7:52 am ET

Who are you polling only democrats???? How can you even believe these polls when I've never once been called in my life to express my opinion, so please CNN stop reporting on all these so called polls which don't speak for Americans about Obama's popularity or his wife's celebrity status , poll every single American and I guarantee he would not be polling high in the Good Old USA.
"You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything"
Take our Country Back in 2012.

scooter   April 7th, 2009 7:51 am ET

Cool I dont have to worry now about job losses, taxes and the upping cost of basic living anymore cause the first family give me a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart.

Obama states mis conceptions   April 7th, 2009 7:50 am ET

Once again a poll who we dont know the participants, just another Obama distraction from the True Obama. A real leader will not justify himse;lf to explain if the USA is selfish or not. If other countries want to call the USA selfish, then lets be SELFISH. Bring our troops home, Close our borders, Kick all non citizens out, Ship NO more food to any country and Send no more money or aid. Then ask them if we are selfish

Vietnam COMBAT Vet, OHIO   April 7th, 2009 7:26 am ET

Kudos to the President and the First Lady!!! I always felt sorry for Laura Bush, the Intelligent half, for having to travel with an IDIOT!

Hope   April 7th, 2009 7:26 am ET

We have a classy, intelligent, and obviously independent First Lady that represent American Women with pride and dignity. We all should be proud, not envous.

Enlightened Voter   April 7th, 2009 7:16 am ET

She is pure class, just like her husband.

mark   April 7th, 2009 7:10 am ET

Its like liberal media pep talk over and over!

Bradley from CA   April 7th, 2009 7:06 am ET

I think most people realize that both Obamas would put Europe first in a Europe vs. USA situation.... since they are willing to cave in and put Europe's interests first, they are loved and admired by the Europeans. This plays out really well on TV, and translates into high ratings back home.

MY Say   April 7th, 2009 7:03 am ET

Oh yeah sure
Says Who
They both are so full of themselves.

Grumpy   April 7th, 2009 6:53 am ET

How can Americans judge when no one really knowsher ?

williefloyd   April 7th, 2009 6:41 am ET

It would be nice if the media finally accepted the fact that most Americans do approve of our First Family!! Guess the Repubs. will never approve of anything either of them do-which is ok-just helps in the long run.

MAC, Hollywood, California   April 7th, 2009 6:22 am ET

i love this couple, i am totally smitten by them, is like a fairytale story.
our president and first lady are the creme de la creme! viva la differenzia!

Renee   April 7th, 2009 6:19 am ET

To see President Obama and frist lady Michelle Iam proud to be American!!! Obama is the President that this country has being waiting for. President Obama I know and millions others now that President Obama will spread goodwill toward all mankind.

Floyd in New York   April 7th, 2009 6:13 am ET

Although I disagree with most of the presidents policies first lady Michelle is very pleasant and I love the way she dresses!

tyree   April 7th, 2009 6:08 am ET

How could anyone see how our President and First Lady be received so warmly not be impressed? He and the First Lady are truly inspiring... I guess the people in Europe are feeling like we felt last year when we overwhelmingly elected President Obama.

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