Despite losing her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is now apparently better liked by the American public than President Obama. According to a new Gallup poll, Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has a 62 percent favorable rating as opposed to President Barack Obama’s 56 percent.
The poll was conducted during the first four days of October and surveyed 1,013 American adults. It should be noted that this poll was taken before President Obama was announced the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Gallup report says the change in the relative popularity of Clinton to Obama may have more to do with their respective jobs than their personalities. Although he came into office with sky high numbers, a battered economy, healthcare, and two wars have taken a toll on his numbers. Her favorable rating could be contributed to her less scrutinized role as secretary of state. On Monday she told The Today Show, “I believe in delegating power. I’m not one of these people who feels like I have to have my face in the front of the newspaper or on the TV every moment of the day.” She also announced earlier this week that she will never run for President again.
What are your thoughts on this?
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Comments
7 Responses to Hillary Clinton More Popular Than President Obama
I’m not sure how important it is that she has a higher approval rating than he does – being in the hot seat, he’s going to naturally get the most heat. I agree that less scrutiny probably does equal a higher approval rating, in general.
I’m sorry to hear that Clinton won’t run for President again. She was my choice for the nomination and more than a year after Obama beat her for it, I’m still a little bitter. I don’t dislike Obama; I agree with him on a lot of things. But the combination of being (for whatever reason) somewhat immune to this enormous charisma he supposedly has and having to watch so many other people act like he walks on water makes me cranky.
I don’t believe the higher ranking is important at all. I too was surprised when I read the statement that she would not run for President again.
I actually like Clinton for several different reasons. I can’t say if I would vote for her. It would depend on the other candidate.
I’m a Pennsylvania democrat and Obama had a bad primary week here May 2008. Remember the “bitter clingers?” I am not surprised Hillary is more popular.
I don’t know that she has made any big goofs in her present role. There was that slip-up when a question was mistranslated, but it passed pretty fast. She is surprisingly right that she hasn’t been in front of the camera much. I would have expected more fireworks from her by now. I don’t believe she won’t run again. She’ll get talked into it.
I don’t believe she won’t run again. – Ann
I kind of wondered if this was a final decision myself. However, whether Obama wins or loses in 2012, aren’t we looking at 2016 for her next possible run? I do think her age at that point could be a concern.
I actually like Clinton for several different reasons. – Pam
Spoken from a Republican, those are very nice words!
I believe Hillary is extremely smart and a hard worker. I always admire these traits. It’s interesting that both Obama and Bill Clinton are known for their smarts, but even more so for their charisma. Don’t get me wrong – I understand why this appeals to people – it appeals to me, but sometimes the truly brilliant people aren’t blessed in the charm department. And I don’t know that makes them less capable for higher office.
As an aside, I feel that strong women in our society come in for more than their share of criticism. And if they show any weakness or imperfection, they are torn apart – very often by other women. Sad.
I’d love to see Hilary as President however having seen how polarizing it is to have a black man as president and how polarizing she was as First Lady, I’m hesitant, this is bringing out some of the worst in people. Although the first of anything is going to be tough; the first Mexican President will be something that gives a large portion of america a hissy fit because it terrifies people that the face of America is changing. I suppose compared to that – women make up 50% of the population roughly and always have- accepting that a woman can be President will be easier to accept. A woman as head of the military, what a concept. We are less inclined for war games than men, that can’t be a bad thing can it?
I think women, working mothers especially, bring a lot to the office that a man might not necessarily bring. Women tend to be more able to compromise and to be better communicators, to be those who seek and build agreement. I think her time as a Diplomat or the time as Secretary of State being one requiring great diplomacy would really ready her for that role along with having been Senator. However, she may feel exhausted after this four years.
WhosMinding,
If you’ll excuse the correction, perhaps a more appropriate title for a future president of Latin decent would be “Hispanic President” not “Mexican”, considering the hispanic population in this country is made up of people from every Spanish-speaking country on the globe…including Spain, the Caribbean, all of Central and South America…all vastly differing in their make-up and culture, even though they speak the same language and might check the same box on the US Census poll.
I know “Hispanic” equates to “Mexican” in many areas of the US, but the Mexican culture is hardly emblematic of the Latin world, or Latin Americans, as a whole.
Other than that, I do agree with much of what you said in your comment.
WhosMinding,
Good points. Another point about female leaders: there have been strong female leaders before in world history, though obviously they are the exception. America would do well to finally try a woman as president. Both parties currently have strong women who might be able to win the presidency.