General

Barack Obama’s popularity is at three-year high, new poll shows

President Barack Obama’s popularity is on the upswing, according to a new poll released by The Washington Post and ABC News Wednesday.

The poll found that 60 per cent of respondents had a favourable attitude towards the president. This is up from numbers in the mid to low 50s about a year ago. It is also the highest approval rating for the president in three years.

Notably, the poll also found that groups that were against Obama are starting to shift in the president’s direction. “Independents see him favorably by a 60-to-36 percent margin, compared with a 51-45 split a year ago. And 51 percent of those ages 65 and older now see Obama favorably, up 11 points from January 20,” writes The Washington Post.

The upswing in the president’s approval rating comes even as he tackles divisive issues, including immigration reform, gun control and rights for same-sex couples.

The poll was conducted between Jan. 23-27 and included 1,022 people.

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