Michigan ranks third on the list of pro-Obama states

Despite Michigan’s lowly jobless situation, the state is President Obama’s No. 3 fan.

According to the Gallup polling organization, Michigan gave Obama his third-highest job approval ratings in 2011 at 48.1 percent. That figure represents the average of the polling numbers secured by Gallup throughout a year when the president saw some nearly historic low points for an occupant of the Oval Office.

Michigan ranked behind only California and Rhode Island in its relative praise for Obama’s job performance. As the 2012 election approaches, it should be noted that the state’s average disapproval rating for the incumbent was not far behind, at 44.2 percent.

Gallup found that the three states at the bottom of the list who dislike the president most are Kentucky, Kansas and Alabama. Obama’s overall 2011 approval ratings in those states were in the 36 percent range.

Gallup provides a terrific interactive U.S. map that displays state-by-state party affiliations, liberal vs. conservative, economic conditions and the health of the population.