CNN Poll: Two-thirds give first lady thumbs up
Washington (CNN) - Nearly two-thirds of Americans approve of how Michelle Obama is handling her duties as first lady, according to a new national poll.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Wednesday indicates that 65 percent of the public gives Obama a thumbs up, with only a quarter of those questioned saying they disapprove of how she's handling her job as first lady.
Full results (pdf)
The poll's release comes as Obama hits the campaign trail for the first time for fellow Democrats running in the midterm elections. The first lady is scheduled to help out candidates in Wisconsin and Illinois Wednesday, part of a seven state tour between now and October 27.
The survey indicates that six out of ten men and more than seven out of ten women approve of the job Obama's doing. But while there's no gender gap, the poll suggests a partisan divide.
"Not surprisingly, the first lady is extremely popular among Democrats, but she is also well-liked among independents," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Nine in ten Democrats approve of how she is handling her job, and six in ten indepenents agree."
The survey indicates that 39 percent of Republicans approve of Obama, with 46 percent disapproving.
The First Lady's approval rating is 20 points higher than that of her husband. Forty-five percent of people questioned in the poll approve of the job President Barack Obama's doing in the White House.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted October 5-7, with 1,008 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.
–CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
She's intelligent, classy, a good mother, she cares - what's not to like? She gives the term "first lady" a lot of style.
Mrs. Obama is a brilliant, lovely and very nice First Lady. I warn the GOP-Koch-TeaPartiers, to be careful what they post about Mrs. Obama. First Ladies are always due respect. IF you can't say something nice, say nothing!
Best first lady this country's had.
FLOTUS keeps it real and most of all she makes sure her children are first.
Great! I guess this qualifies her for Secretary of State in the next ( 2020 ) possible Democratic Administration.
The last gasp. I guess career politicians will stop at nothing to get a vote. What a shame.
The First Lady is a class act. She has graciously withstood the "extra" attacks that have been heaped upon her, her husband, and even her young daughters by her fellow "countrymen". Attacks that have gone beyond those usually reserved for whomever is the inhabitant of the White House. You figure it out.
Mrs. Obama makes me proud to be a woman of color. She has represented our country with class, intelligence and decorum. God Bless her.
I think we have one very classy First Lady. I also thought that Laura Bush was a great first lady, I liked her 100% more than George.