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Most Popular National Politician Today Is ...

Hillary Clinton, as 'buyer's remorse' plagues a third of the country

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 16, 2011 12:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – The most popular politician nationwide is the one that got away: Hillary Clinton. Nearly two-thirds of the country sees the secretary of state favorably, and a third are battling what Bloomberg terms “buyer’s remorse” over not electing her president. Just over a year ago, only a quarter of Americans felt that way. “Looking back, I wonder if she would have been a stronger leader, knowing the games and the politics and all that goes on,” says a Florida woman. “I don’t think she would have bent as much.”

Still, some 47% of Americans say the situation under Clinton would be comparable to the present state of affairs. “Some of her appeal is that she is not Barack Obama,” notes a pollster. What’s more, 13% feel we’d be worse off with Hill. Among Democrats, 57% say things would be the same under Obama or Clinton, while 39% of Republicans believe we’d be better off with Clinton. As for John McCain? Some 29% say we should have picked him; 35% say it’s a good thing we didn’t.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton listens to a speech during a visit to San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

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Showing 3 of 106 comments

AustinFound

Sep 17, 2011 4:07 PM CDT

If she had been elected there would have been Bushes and Clintons in the White House from the day I was born 1980 until my 36th birthday, in 2016. 1980-88 Reagan - Bush 1988-92 Bush - Qualyle 1992-00 Clinton - Gore 2000-08 Bush - Cheney 2008-16 Clinton - (hypothetical) I simply didn't want to continue with the dynasticism that has ruled America my entire life. No more Bushes or Clintons.

scrappy2

Sep 17, 2011 8:31 AM CDT

That's ridiculous - you are just trading two of a kind. O and H are cut from the same cloth in principles.

zdaydream

Sep 16, 2011 4:44 PM CDT

I was behind her. Too bad she didn't prevail. <:-)

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