A new Gallup Poll indicates that President Obama's approval rating has increased to 50 percent — up from the mid-40s for the latter part of the year. According to the poll, Obama's approval rating is 80 percent among Democrats, 47 percent among independents and only 16 percent among Republicans. The overall increase might have something to do with Obama's notable end-of-year legislative victories, but the poll results should still spark questions about why the approval rating isn't higher among Republicans. It's especially surprising when you consider the $850 billion windfall that resulted from Obama's signing of the tax bill, which extended Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy, in December.
Though an average approval rating of 50 percent reflects an improvement, it's curious why the ratings aren't higher. Let's recap the past few weeks: Obama saves millions from having their unemployment insurance canceled, saves the wealthiest Americans almost a trillion dollars in taxes and repeals "Don't ask, don't tell." Fifty percent? There's just no pleasing some people.
Read more at USA Today.
In other news: Poverty in America: Census Bureau Releases Alternative Measurements.