[Elsie]

Rasmussen poll showed that 36% of African American respondents gave the President a positive approval rating. In one year, the President’s African American approval rating increased by 17% in the Rasmussen poll.

Wouldn't that then be a 112% increase? That is, if he went from 17% of black support to 36%?

Depends how one can parse the original statement.

1. Was the 17% ADDED to the year before 19% giving 36%??
2. or was the previous year 31%? (a 17% gain would be 5.27 more)

[Elsie]

1. Was the 17% ADDED to the year before 19% giving 36%?? (A gain of 89%)