Obama Smiles In Second White House Portrait

The image is released on the same days as a poll suggesting 51% of Americans approve of Mr Obama's overall job performance.

Friday 18 January 2013 16:26, UK

Official White House portrait of President Barack Obama 2013
Image: Mr Obama smiles broadly in his second official portrait
Why you can trust Sky News

The White House photographer has released a new official portrait of President Barack Obama, two days before he takes the oath of office to begin his second four-year term.

Pete Souza's image shows a smiling Mr Obama standing in the Oval Office.

President-elect Barack Obama Poses For Official Portrait
Image: Mr Obama struck a sterner pose in 2008

It comes in contrast to the somewhat stern pose he struck for his first portrait, taken soon after his election in 2008.

The picture was released on the same day as a new poll, which revealed some 51% of Americans approve of the job Mr Obama is doing as president.

The poll, by the New York Times and CBS, also found that 41% of those surveyed disapprove of the president's overall performance.

And roughly 49% of respondents said they do not approve of how Mr Obama has handled economic matters. About 46% said they approve on that topic.

Mr Obama's job approval ratings are similar to those of former president George W Bush at the start of his second term, but markedly lower than those of Bill Clinton, who began his second stint in office with a 60% approval rating.

More from US

Still, Ronald Reagan beat that, with 62% favourability when he took his second oath of office in early 1985.