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Here's How Barack Obama Is Actually Winning The 2016 Presidential Race

by John Haltiwanger
REUTERS

The 2016 presidential race has been one of the strangest and most contentious in recent memory. Americans are deeply divided over the remaining candidates and it seems the country is poised for a very tumultuous general election.

But one individual has actually benefited a great deal from the chaos: Barack Obama.

Americans approve of the president more than Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump. In recent weeks, his approval rating hit its highest point since his second inauguration.

The Atlas

But when it comes down to it, most Americans actually like the president, and will look back on his time in office as a stable and progressive era for the country.

Meanwhile, only 11 percent of Americans believe Congress is doing a good or excellent job.

This crazy election cycle has put the president's impact on the country into perspective. Things haven't been perfect under Obama, but they haven't been terrible either, and it seems people are starting to recognize this as his time in office winds down.

Under Obama's watch, the Great Recession was prevented from turning into another Great Depression, a comprehensive national health insurance bill was passed, no new ground wars were started and LGBTQ rights improved, among many other accomplishments.

The president also has a very high approval rating globally, which isn't that surprising since he's taken a far more diplomatic approach to foreign affairs than his predecessor.

Indeed, it appears people are really going to miss having Barack Obama in the White House.