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Obama Most Admired Man: Poll

Poll shows President is popular, but then, so was Bush

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2008 9:56 AM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama is the man Americans admire most, according to a new USA Today/Gallup poll, and no one else comes even close. Obama was the first or second pick for 32% of respondents; George Bush, who has topped the list for 7 years, came in second with just 5%. It’s the first time a president-elect has topped the list in more than 50 years.

The results point to "a honeymoon period,” said one presidential historian of Obama, a "real opportunity for him to try to get things done because he'll have a lot of support." Also receiving votes were John McCain (3%), Pope Benedict, and Bill Clinton (both 2%). In the most-admired woman race, Hillary Clinton won handily for the 13th time in 16 years with 20% of the vote, beating out Sarah Palin’s 11%. Oprah took third with 8%.

In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama, left, his wife Michelle Obama, right, and two daughters, Malia, 7. and Sasha, 10, wave at the election night rally in Chicago.
In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama, left, his wife Michelle Obama, right, and two daughters, Malia, 7. and Sasha, 10, wave at the election night rally in Chicago.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE)
This image supplied by Time Magazine,  shows the cover of the magazine's December 29,  issue naming President-elect Barack Obama as their Person of the Year for 2008.
This image supplied by Time Magazine, shows the cover of the magazine's December 29, issue naming President-elect Barack Obama as their "Person of the Year" for 2008.   (AP Photo/ TIME)
President-elect Barack Obama greets onlookers after working out at the Semper Fit Center on Marine Corp Base Hawaii in Kailua, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008.
President-elect Barack Obama greets onlookers after working out at the Semper Fit Center on Marine Corp Base Hawaii in Kailua, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
In Feb. 7, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., is silhouetted by a light as he speaks at Tulane University in New Orleans.
In Feb. 7, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., is silhouetted by a light as he speaks at Tulane University in New Orleans.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon/FILE)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
NewserScooter
Nov 20, 2009 10:06 PM CST
Because he is a good man!
N McMaster
Jan 7, 2009 11:31 PM CST
How did Bush win for 7 years?
Guest
Jan 1, 2009 5:34 AM CST
Yes, Mrs. K we will see....................

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