David Jackson

USA TODAY

President Obama's personal ratings are up, but his job performance numbers remain below 50%, says a new Associated Press-GfK Poll.

Or, as the Associated Press puts it: "Nice guy, so-so president."

The poll says that 58% believe Obama to be very or somewhat likable, up 9 percentage points since the end of the government shutdown in October.

Obama's approval rating, meanwhile, remains at 45%, with 53% disapproving.

More from the Associated Press:

"On the cusp of his sixth year in office, Obama is far removed from those heady days before his first inauguration, when two-thirds of Americans predicted he'd be an outstanding or above-average president.

"Now, 31 percent think he's been outstanding or above average, a quarter size him up as average, and 42 percent describe his presidency as below average or poor.

"The ranks of those who believe he's been outstanding or above average have edged down 6 points since just after Obama's re-election in November 2012, reflecting slippage in how he's viewed by Democrats, particularly liberals."