Obama Job Approval Rating 2015: President Obama's Job Approval Ratings Improve Ahead of State of the Union Address

By Michael Oleaga First Posted: Jan 20, 2015 05:21 PM EST

Ahead of his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama's job approval ratings have increased.

For NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies polled 800 people and found minor positive changes for Obama. The president's disapproval rating declined by 2 percentage points to 48 percent while the approval rating improved by 1 percentage point to 46 percent. As a result, the percentage point difference is the narrowest margin since June 2013's 1-percentage point spread.

Obama also fared better on his handling of the U.S. economy. Respondents gave Obama a 49 percent approval rating, while 47 percent disapproved. In comparison to December 2014's poll, 49 percent disapproved of the president's handling of the economy, and 46 percent showed approval.

On foreign policy, Obama's disapproval rating dominated. The president received a 56 percent disapproval rating while 37 percent had a favorable view. The disapproval rating is a 1 percent increase from December's poll. The 37 percent approval rating remained unchanged from December.

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For ABC News and the Washington Post, Abt-SRBI of New York revealed Obama's job approval received a 48 percent disapproval rating from registered voters, but 47 percent approved. From overall adults, including non-registered voters, Obama's approval rating increased to 50 percent and 44 percent disapproved.

Obama's handling of the economy split respondents' opinions. Among registered voters, 47 percent of respondents showed approval on how Obama handled the economy, but 49 percent showed disapproval. With overall adults, the result was tied at 48 percent.

Obama's handling on the threat of terrorism also presented a narrow result. While 47 percent of overall adults approved of Obama's handling of terrorism threats, 45 percent disapproved. With registered voters, 49 percent of respondents disapproved and 45 percent approved.

The polls come as Obama is set to deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday night. The president is expected to discuss the economy, tax code reforms, the threat of terrorism notably after the Paris terrorists attack, border security and immigration.

The State of the Union address begins at 9 p.m. EST, followed by the Republican Party's rebuttal, which will be delivered by Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa while Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Florida will say a Spanish-language translation.

President Obama's State of the Union Live Feed: