President Underwood Is More Popular Than Obama

Bad news for President Obama: Even Scandal's cheating, borderline-alcoholic President Grant and House of Cards' murderous, lying President Underwood are more popular than he is. A Reuters-Ipsos poll compared Obama to a bunch of fictional TV presidents, and the results were not good for Obama. His approval rate was found to be 46%, compared to:

• President Palmer from 24: 89%
• President Bartlet from The West Wing: 82%
• President Roslin from Battlestar Galactica: 78%

• President Grant from Scandal: 60%
• President Underwood from House of Cards: 57% (As Reuters points out, even Obama thinks Underwood gets "a lot of stuff done.")

Of course, as one presidential historian explains, it would be pretty difficult for a real president to hit favorability numbers that high while in office—but Ronald Reagan, who was an actor first, came close. The good news for Obama: The poll found that he is still better-liked than Vladimir Putin, who has just a 24% favorability rating among Americans. And, as New York points out, Obama's approval rating will probably improve when he leaves office: Bill Clinton, both George Bushes, and Jimmy Carter have ratings above 50%. (Click to find out the favorite drinks of US presidents, or check out 12 scandalous facts about ex-presidents.)