Riding high

A month into his first term of office, polls published by the New York Times, the Washington Post and Gallup all show that Obama's job approval remains high and the public is willing to be patient with him as he works through the country's economic crisis.

Despite weeks of withering criticism from congressional Republicans on his stimulus plan and his housing and banking reform proposals, Obama still remains popular among most Americans.

Since inheriting a $1.2 trillion federal deficit and an economy in recession, the president's sober tone has appeared in stark contrast to his optimistic message of hope during the campaign, a shift that has not gone unnoticed by some observers. 

Former president Bill Clinton recently told Obama that he should lighten up on the doom and gloom, but that apparently hasn't stopped the public from supporting the new president, as indicated by new polls out today.

New York Times Poll shows 63 percent job approval

"President Obama is benefiting from remarkably high levels of optimism and confidence among Americans about his leadership, providing him with substantial political clout as he confronts the nation's economic challenges and opposition from nearly all Republicans in Congress, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

A majority of people surveyed in both parties said Mr. Obama was striving to work in a bipartisan way, but most faulted Republicans for their response to the president, saying the party had objected to the $787 billion economic stimulus plan for political reasons. Most said Mr. Obama should pursue the priorities he campaigned on, the poll found, rather than seek middle ground with Republicans."

Washington Post poll shows 68 percent job approval

"Nearly seven in 10 poll respondents said Obama is delivering on his pledge to bring needed change to Washington, and about eight in 10 said he is meeting or exceeding their expectations. At the same time, however, the bipartisan support he enjoyed as he prepared to take office has eroded substantially amid stiff Republican opposition to his major economic initiatives."

Gallup Poll shows stiffening Republican opposition

"President Barack Obama remains highly popular among the U.S. public at the end of his first month in office. However, the 63% of Americans currently approving of his job performance is down slightly from his initial 68% rating in January...Obama has not retained his initial level of job approval mainly because rank-and-file Republicans -- who already lagged well behind Democrats in their approval of Obama in January -- have quickly become even more critical."

Michelle Obama gets high marks too

"A month into her husband's presidency, Michelle Obama is viewed more positively than were other first ladies in the past 28 years at similar stages, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll."