Poll: Michelle Obama tops president

WASHINGTON - Who in the White House is more popular than Barack Obama? A new Pew Research Center poll taken as Obama nears the 100-day mark of his presidency finds that Michelle Obama is topping the president.

The first lady is viewed favorably by 76 percent of the public compared to the 73 percent that the president received. In comparison Laura Bush had a favorable rating of 64 percent while Hillary Clinton had 60 percent during the same period of time during their husband's presidencies.

"She has kind of taken the country by storm," Andrew Kohut, Director of the Pew Research Center, told the Christian Science Monitor.

The data also revealed that Michelle Obama is viewed more positively today, especially by Republican women. 60 percent say they now have a favorable impression of her, compared to 46 percent in January. Americans also describe her with words like "classy," "nice" and "intelligent."

President Obama's 73 percent favorability rating shouldn't be overlooked, though -- his number eclipses the ratings of both George W. Bush (61 percent) and Bill Clinton (60 percent) during the same time their first year.

Obama also remains popular across many groups -- 79 percent of Democrats and 46 percent of Republicans say they give Obama their thumbs up.