A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds 56% of those surveyed approve of President Obama's job performance, up from 50% in September. It's the first time since he took office in January that his rating has gone up.
People also feel better about his handling of the economy and his proposed health care overhaul.
However, support for the war in Afghanistan has declined and approval of Obama's handling of it is holding steady -- in contrast to his gains in other areas -- as he considers a big troop increase there.