Gallup first asked Americans about Boehner’s image in 2009, when a quarter (25%) viewed him favorably and 23% viewed him unfavorably, with the rest, 52%, having never heard of him or having no opinion. Over the years, Americans have generally viewed Boehner more unfavorably than favorably, except in January 2011 — when he took the speaker’s gavel after Republicans won control of the House of Representatives — and again in November 2012, when Americans were more favorable than unfavorable by one percentage point.

For Boehner, 2014 could be a turning of the page as he recovers from the October federal government shutdown, which resulted in his party’s receiving the lowest party favorability ratings ever recorded by Gallup, and a drop in his own image to 27% favorable and 51% unfavorable. His favorability has now edged back up to where it was in April of last year (31%), and he recently allowed a vote on the debt ceiling increase with no attached legislation — a move Boehner had never previously made as speaker. Boehner had set the tone for 2013 by telling his party in January of that year that he was done negotiating with the president one-on-one, and hadn’t met with him since December 2012.