Outgoing President Obama and first lady Michelle will leave the White House with close to the highest public opinion since the president took office, according to a Pew Research Center poll.
Forty-five percent of those polled said Obama will be remembered as an above average or even an outstanding president. Twenty-six percent said he will be viewed as average, while 27 percent said he will go down in history as below average.
Twice as many blacks than whites said Obama will be remembered as average or above average. Independents have a more favorable view of the president’s performance, up even since late October.
Obama’s personal favorability is high — 64 percent — but Michelle’s is even better at 72 percent.
The poll was conducted from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5, just a few weeks after the 2016 presidential election. Obama’s job approval has risen steadily during the past few months, despite Republicans’ attacks on his projects and decisions, such as the Affordable Care Act and the controversial Iran nuclear deal.
However, public opinion on the president’s legacy is deeply divided down party lines, more so than for recent presidents.
Eighty-eight percent of Democrats endorse Obama’s job performance. Only 15 percent of Republicans agree. This divide is larger than it was for former Presidents Bill Clinton or George W. Bush.
As for whether the Obama administration’s failures will cancel out its successes, 49 percent say the president’s successes will outshine his failures, while 44 percent say the failures will drag his legacy down.
Only 35 percent say Obama has made progress solving the country’s pressing issues. Those who are younger or have more education were more likely to have a favorable view of Obama’s progress than older or more poorly educated people.
Only 13 percent of Republicans have hope Obama’s successes will be remembered more. This is in stark contrast to the 45 percent of Republicans who believed Clinton’s successes would outweigh his disappointments.
Obama’s Affordable Care Act, a target of the Republican Congress and incoming President-elect Trump, was the most popular answer given for what Obama will be most remembered for, fondly or otherwise.
Obama’s job performance polls similarly to Presidents Clinton and Ronald Reagan. Clinton polls at a comfortable 61 percent favorability rating, and 63 percent of the public approve of Reagan’s legacy.
