Obama's approval high after Daschle flap

PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The tax problems of three of U.S. President Barack Obama's choices for top jobs had little impact on his public support, a Gallup Poll indicated.

The president's approval rating in the Gallup tracking poll for Feb. 2 through Feb. 4, released Friday, was 65 percent, about the same as when he was inaugurated, Gallup said.

In a Gallup/USA Today poll done Feb. 4, fewer than 20 percent of those who responded said they had less confidence in Obama's ethical standards, while a majority said they had more confidence. Most of those with less confidence identified themselves as Republicans.

Former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., Obama's choice as secretary of health and human services, withdrew his name this week after it was revealed he initially failed to pay taxes on a car and driver provided for him as a consultant in the private sector. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner survived his tax problems, while Nancy Killefer, appointed to the White House staff, withdrew her nomination to be chief performance officer.

A majority, 58 percent, said the fracas is "a normal part of the process of filling high-level government positions in any new administration." Half that number, 29 percent, said they make the administration look bad.

The Feb. 4 poll of 1,012 adults has a 3 percent margin of error.