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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Bush Most Admired, But Loses Points in U.S.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Despite a drop in support, George W. Bush remains the most esteemed man in the United States, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 13 per cent of respondents say the current United States president is the man they admire most, down 10 points in two years.
Former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter finished second and third respectively, followed by Democratic Illinois senator Barack Obama and the reverend Billy Graham with three per cent each. Former U.S. state secretary Colin Powell, Pope Benedict XVI, former South African president Nelson Mandela, former U.S. president George H. Bush and Microsoft founder Bill Gates round up the top ten.
Democratic New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton topped the list of admired women once again with 13 per cent, followed by television host Oprah Winfrey with nine per cent, and U.S. state secretary Condoleezza Rice with eight per cent. Support is lower for current first lady Laura Bush, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, actress and activist Angelina Jolie, Democratic California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, former U.S. state secretary Madeleine Albright, former first lady Barbara Bush, and author Maya Angelou.
The list of admired men features four American presidents, two African Americans—Obama and Powell—and two foreigners—Benedict XVI and Mandela. The list of admired women includes three first ladies, three African Americans—Winfrey, Rice and Angelou—and one foreigner—Thatcher.
Polling Data
Who is the man you admire the most?
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
George W. Bush | 13% | 19% | 23% |
Bill Clinton | 5% | 5% | 6% |
Jimmy Carter | 4% | 3% | 4% |
Barack Obama | 3% | -- | -- |
Billy Graham | 3% | 2% | 3% |
Colin Powell | 2% | 2% | 5% |
Pope Benedict XVI | 2% | 3% | -- |
Nelson Mandela | 1% | 2% | 2% |
George H. Bush | 1% | -- | -- |
Bill Gates | 1% | 3% | 1% |
Who is the woman you admire the most?
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
Hillary Rodham Clinton | 13% | 13% | 13% |
Oprah Winfrey | 9% | 12% | 11% |
Condoleezza Rice | 8% | 10% | 7% |
Laura Bush | 4% | 4% | 8% |
Margaret Thatcher | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Angelina Jolie | 2% | 1% | -- |
Nancy Pelosi | 1% | -- | -- |
Madeleine Albright | 1% | -- | 1% |
Barbara Bush | 1% | -- | 2% |
Maya Angelou | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Interviews with 1,010 American adults, conducted from Dec. 11 to Dec. 14, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.