At Least Michelle's Still Popular

President Obama’s approval ratings are sinking, but Michelle Obama’s remain sky-high, with 71% of the country holding a favorable opinion of her. Only 16% of respondents in a new Pew Research survey held a negative view of the first lady. That puts her well above Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, who had 60% and 64% favorability ratings, respectively, after their husbands had been in office for 1 year.

Even Republicans on balance approve of Michelle Obama—50% had a favorable view of her, against 36% unfavorable. The first lady’s approval rating has stayed relatively constant all year, rising from 68% at the inauguration to a high of 76% before settling to its present level. The president, by contrast, still holds a relatively high 65% favorability rating, but that’s down 14 points from his 79% high in January. (More Michelle Obama stories.)