Michelle Obama popular in U.S.

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PRINCETON, N.J., May 30 (UPI) -- First lady Michelle Obama remains popular among Americans, with numbers in line with her positive ratings since President Obama took office, Gallup said.

Michelle Obama's current 66 percent favorable rating is identical to her average 66 percent rating to date as first lady, results of a Gallup-USA Today poll released Wednesday indicated.

Respondents did not view her as positively during the 2008 presidential campaign, when she received favorable ratings no higher than 54 percent, but they warmed to her once her husband took office, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said.

The same poll that measured Michelle Obama's favorable rating indicated 52 percent of those surveyed have a favorable opinion of Barack Obama.

Michelle Obama has a higher favorable rating than the president among independents and Republicans, while Democrats said they view the two equally positively, Gallup said.

Respondents also viewed the two previous first ladies positively, Gallup said. Laura Bush averaged a 73 percent favorable rating and Hillary Clinton averaged 56 percent.

Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews with 1,012 adults conducted May 10-13. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.