Michelle more popular than Barack?

The day after the election, Barack Obama was viewed more favorably by Americans than his wife, Michelle.

Not any more.

A USA Today/Gallup Poll taken in the last week shows a surge in positive views of the first lady over the past year even as her husband's ratings have eroded. As the anniversary of the presidential election approaches, Michelle Obama is viewed more favorably than her husband.

"She has conducted herself as an educated, sensitive, down-to-earth woman -- not a black woman, a woman -- like when she does the gardening [to encourage healthful eating] and taking care of the family," including daughters Malia and Sasha, says Rosemarie Tate, 55, of West Hartford, Conn. "Those are values that everybody shares," says the registered dietician, who was among those called in the survey.

* Barack Obama is viewed favorably by 55% of those surveyed, unfavorably by 42%. Non-Hispanic whites are evenly split, 49% to 49%, while his rating among blacks is overwhelmingly positive, 90% to 9%. On Nov. 5, 2008, the day after his election, his overall rating was 68% favorable to 27% unfavorable.

* Michelle Obama is viewed favorably by 61%, unfavorably by 25%. Her standing among non-Hispanic whites is 57% to 30%; among blacks, it is 91% to 5%. During the campaign and at the time of the inauguration in January, she lagged her husband's favorable rating by as much as 10 points. Her standing has fallen from a high of 72% in March.

* Biden is viewed favorably by 42%, unfavorably by 40%. That's a decline from his 59% to 29% standing last November -- a steeper fall in favor than his boss'.

* Arizona Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate in 2008, is viewed favorably by 54%, unfavorably by 37%. The day after the election, his ratings were 64% to 33%.

Gannett News Service