--- title: Obama More Popular Than Presidential Candidates, Poll Shows description: A new poll shows that Barack Obama's approval rating increased, an improvement that could bode well for Democrats in the general election canonical: https://time.com/4287593/obama-more-popular-than-presidential-candidates/ author: Katie Reilly article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-04-09T16:21:09.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:55:55.251Z article:section: Politics og:title: Obama More Popular Than Presidential Candidates, Poll Shows og:description: The President is viewed more favorably than any of the presidential candidates og:url: https://time.com/4287593/obama-more-popular-than-presidential-candidates/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4a58df98f6c97900/69888e68cd1bba502e7002b7/barack-obama1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 5760 og:image:height: 3240 og:image:alt: Obama Discusses U.S. Supreme Court At University Of Chicago Law School og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Obama More Popular Than Presidential Candidates, Poll Shows twitter:description: The President is viewed more favorably than any of the presidential candidates twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4a58df98f6c97900/69888e68cd1bba502e7002b7/barack-obama1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Obama More Popular Than Presidential Candidates, Poll Shows > Sponsored content. 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Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ## Video: Obama Criticizes Trump's Foreign Policy [Watch (HLS stream): Obama Criticizes Trump's Foreign Policy](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/GZuEHHPd.m3u8) (1:08)  _Published 2016-04-05_  by [Katie Reilly](https://time.com/author/katie-reilly/)  ## Katie Reilly Apr 9, 2016 4:21 PM UTC  President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Chicago Law School on April 7, in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Chicago Law School on April 7, in Chicago, Illinois. Joshua Lott/Getty Images  by [Katie Reilly](https://time.com/author/katie-reilly/)  ## Katie Reilly Apr 9, 2016 4:21 PM UTC A new poll shows that President Barack Obama’s [approval rating has increased](http://bigstory.ap.org/article/f2e9500ecec44a36b4ed8320e126e854/poll-improved-economic-outlook-boosts-approval-obama) and he is viewed more favorably than any of the presidential candidates, which could boost his influence on November’s general election. For the first time since 2013, half of those surveyed said they approve of what Obama is doing in office, according to the [Associated Press-GfK poll](http://ap-gfkpoll.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/March-2016-AP-GfK-Poll-FINAL%5FObama.pdf). Approval ratings increased for issues including foreign affairs, immigration and the economy. People were slightly more optimistic about their financial situations and Obama’s leadership of the economy, the AP reported, but 54% still characterized the economy as poor. The survey also found that 53% of respondents had a favorable view of Obama, more than any of the presidential candidates. Democrat Bernie Sanders was next with 48% favorability, followed by Democrat Hillary Clinton (40%) and Republican John Kasich (34%). Republicans Ted Cruz and Donald Trump were tied with 26% favorability. If his higher approval rating lasts, it could make Obama a significant influence in the general election and provide a helpful boost for Democrats and the eventual party nominee. 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