
A new CNN poll contains a fun result, finding that President Obama is not the most popular person in his administration -- and that he's edged out by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom he had narrowly defeated for the Democratic nomination in 2008.
Obama's personal favorability rating is 58%, with 40% unfavorable. Hillary Clinton is at 64% favorable, with only 30% unfavorable. Secretary of Defense Robert gates is close behind Obama at 52% favorable, 18% unfavorable.
Interestingly, Gates' favorability is spread very evenly across partisan and demographic groups: 54% favorable among both whites and blacks, 55% favorable among Republicans, and 54% among Democrats.
Other administration figures are less known and less popular: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is at 27%-33%, Attorney General Eric Holder is at 23%-24%, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is at 28%-28%.
Finally, First Lady Michelle Obama is at 68% favorable and 19% unfavorable, which is to be expected from the high favorable ratings that first ladies typically receive in their relatively non-political role.
Indie Pro
December 30, 2009 2:44 PM
I think Secretary Clinton has done well for the administration.
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theone718
December 30, 2009 10:05 PM in reply to Indie Pro
Definitely the best pick he made. Hindsight for those naysayers must be a bitch.
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Joppoi
December 30, 2009 2:56 PM
Not surprising, given that she's lucky enough to be out of the limelight, travelling the globe to countries delighted to have anyone but Bush.
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Michael A
December 30, 2009 3:09 PM
Clinton lost the primary. Get over it. Jeez, when will it end.
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eric the red
December 30, 2009 3:38 PM in reply to Michael A
I'd say you are a little hypersensitive. Its a CNN poll with an ironic result. Big deal.
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Virginia
December 30, 2009 4:00 PM
Secstate is a very easy job to be popular in. It's high profile, but most Americans don't really have a clue what you do, and you are rarely required to take an unpopular position. Colin Powell was probably the most popular figure in the Bush administration, and even Condi didn't get a whole lot of guff when she was in the job.
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Thornhill
December 30, 2009 4:44 PM
Commentators have consistently underestimated how much people genuinely like HRC, especially when her husband is no where in sight.
And whether it is deserved or not, the perception is that she's doing a good job as Secretary of State.
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lakelover
December 30, 2009 6:20 PM
She works her a** off, and she always comes prepared.
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