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US Wild About Obama's 100 Days

President enjoying 'Reagan-like' levels of popularity as early milestone is reached

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 29, 2009 4:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – Today marks President Obama's hundredth day in the job and he's more popular than his two immediate predecessors were at this point, according to an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll. Over half of those polled said Obama is off to a good—or great—start, 61% approve of the job he is doing as president, and 64% see him in a favorable light.

"This poll shows presidential leadership," said a Republican pollster, who labeled the Obama's early popularity levels "Reagan-like." At a whopping 81%, Obama's personal popularity far exceeds that of many of his policies, a trend analysts believe may buy him some time to enact the more aggressive parts of his agenda.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

High ratings for things like Obama's dog aren't just fluff, analysts say, as they represent voters forming a personal attachment to the president. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama smiles beneath a portrait of George Washington as reporters enter the Oval Office of the White House before the swearing in of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius... (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Obama delivers remarks at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington this week. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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This poll shows presidential leadership. After 100 days, he has the latitude to really govern with some potency to try and get this very aggressive agenda done. - Republican pollster Bill McInturff

If the road for the first 100 days seems bumpy and full of potholes, the next stretch of road is hardly going to be much smoother. - Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart

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US Wild About Obama's 100 Days