President Obama is a likeable guy.
Fifty-eight percent of the American population thinks so, anyway, according to a new Associated Press/GFK poll released this month. When the government shutdown ended last October, only 49% of the public thought he was "very" or "somewhat" likeable.
Forty-five percent recently said he is inspiring, and 42% believed he was honest.
But some people do not have faith in his presidency. Less than one-third of Americans thought he is an outstanding or above average leader. More people - 42% - believed his job as chief executive is below average or poor, according to the poll. Additionally, 53% of people disapproved of his leadership, the same rate as October 2013.
Between Jan. 17 and Jan. 21, interviewers polled 1,060 adult citizens at random about topics ranging from health care and illegal immigrants, to abortion and same-sex marriage.
The president’s credibility took a hit last year among his administration's mishandling of the health care website rollout and leaks about the National Security Agency’s spying program. He received all-time low approval ratings.
More than half - 64% - of residents said the country is headed in the wrong direction, compared with 35% who thought the outlook looked positive.