A new poll of avid news watchers shows that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has a much higher approval rating than the man she once campaigned against and now works for, President Barack Obama.
In the poll of 800 registered voters who are self-identified “news watchers,” Clinton had a 75 percent approval rating and a 21 percent disapproval rating overall. Obama, in contrast, had a 51 percent approval and a 45 percent disapproval rating.
The Secretary of State has conducted several well-received foreign trips in recent months and has not been as closely identified with the more contentious elements of the Administration’s agenda, including the health care fight, the federal deficit and the Wall Street bailouts. And she has not been subjected to nearly the same media and partisan scrutiny as the president. Obama, meanwhile, has been on national television on a daily basis tackling a wide range of difficult issues.
And whose choice is that? Has any president in modern history been on TV as much as Obama?
The poll was conducted by the nonpartisan Clarus Research Group from December 7th to the 12th, and it asked for opinions of the top Cabinet secretaries and White House officials. Its finding on Obama and Clinton mirrors that of earlier polls – in October, for example, a Gallup poll found that Clinton had become more popular than the president.
Clarus president Ron Faucheux said one reason for Clinton’s high poll numbers is her high approval among Republicans – numbers he said position her well to run for president again in the future, if she chooses. Clinton had 96 percent approval among Democrats, a healthy 57 percent approval among Republicans, and 65 percent approval among Independents. Obama was nearly as popular among Democrats – 93 percent – but his numbers among Republicans and Independents fell off dramatically, at 19 percent and 33 percent respectively.
Clinton’s Republican numbers are striking, given how intensely disliked she has been in the past among GOP voters. In fact, part of Obama’s appeal to Democratic primary voters in 2008 was that he was more likely to be able to bridge the partisan divide than Clinton, who was by then a well-known figure dating to her time as first lady in the 1990s.
“Republicans may see her as being more hawkish than other Democrats on foreign policy issues,” said Faucheux. “It may be a way for them to bolster that position within the administration.” Asked about any future Clinton presidential bid, he said, “She’s in good shape now.”
completely and I think she learned from her one big mistake in 08 and not take that black vote for granted. She learned not to do that. Yep President Clinton lets just hope the women's groups don't ruin it for her the next time.
Jen, Loved this poll! Yep, more informed they are, the better they like.
I think her work with Ireland and with Turkey-Armenia clearly stand out as big accomplishments from last year.
Her more hawkish stand on foreign policy has been apparent to the Republicans.
Great read. Thanks!
The GOP always thinks she is a dove. During 2008 I had the chance to speak with several Conservatives who after I showed them her voting record came back to me with "WOW I didn't know she was such a strong hawk.
She is very strong on defense. She is a real conservative in that regard.
She is relatively pro-gun with restraint and restrictions. She is pro-subsidies, but with limits and sunset clauses.
To some degree, she is also a natural social conservative - this is for herself, otherwise she would not have stayed in the marriage -- but she is very broadminded for others. On pro-choice, her position is far closer to Reagan's and quite apart from Obama's. She views decision in that regard as having to do with the mental health and upbringing of both mother and prospective child. She is very religious herself, and is highly inclusive in her thoughts and inquisitive in her outlook; always willing to learn.
She is strongly in favor of small interest direct lending (Pell Grants) for college education. This is one area where she sees a greater government role in promotional capacity, to truly raise the competitive stance of the country relative to the rest of the world.
Even on health care, she was in favor of a private enterprise model where a collective pool of plans like the Congress has is made open and available at varied rates and options to promote adaption. Yes, she was pro-mandate, but with subsidies with term limits. So, her approach would not have mandated beyond a certain duration when the so insured got significant subsidies.
That's very moderate profile.
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Democracy needs defending - SOS Hillary Clinton, Sept 8, 2010 Democracy is more than just elections - SOS Hillary Clinton, Oct 28, 2010