President Barack Obama has reached a 50 percent job approval rating for the week ending March 6, marking his highest weekly average since May 2013 and topping his yearly and overall averages, a new
Gallup poll finds.
The president's numbers remain highly polarized, with 87 percent of Democrats approving of him, verses 11 percent of Republicans, the poll finds.
The current average:
- Exceeds the 46 percent for his seventh year in office, ending Jan. 19
- Exceeds the 47 percent average since taking office in 2009
- Up among Democrats from 81 percent at the beginning of the year.
- Remain stable among Independents and Republicans.
There are many reasons for the rising approval ratings, Gallup explains, including a contentious Republican primary race, led by Donald Trump, that is making the president look more "statesmanlike."
The election season may also be activating partisan loyalty with Democrats.
When compared to other presidents at a comparable point:
- Bill Clinton: 63 percent, including 89 percent among Democrats; 65 percent of independents and 31 percent of Republicans.
- George W. Bush: 32 percent, with 72 percent of Republicans, 9 percent of independents, and 23 percent of Democrats.
- Ronald Reagan: 51 percent, with 81 percent among Republicans, 28 percent with Democrats, and 51 percent of independents.
The poll is based on phone interviews conducted from Feb. 29-March 6, using a random sample of 3,563 adults and carrying a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.