Here’s a Gallup Poll tidbit that brings into sharper definition the term “echo chamber.” Forget what you may hear on radio and cable talk shows and what you may read on some ideological content providers, a new Gallup poll finds President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are at the top of the 2010 Most Admired list:
President Barack Obama is Americans’ Most Admired Man of 2010, substantially ahead of the former presidents, iconic religious leaders, and others who fill out the top 10 list. Obama first became Americans’ Most Admired Man in 2008, shortly after his election as the nation’s 44th president, and has held the title since then.
Obama is the runaway favorite for Most Admired Man among Democrats nationwide: 46% choose him, followed by 7% who pick Bill Clinton and 5% Nelson Mandela. Obama also leads among independents, with 17%, but ranks second among Republicans behind George W. Bush.
Take that Rush, Sean and Glenn…
And Hillary Clinton?
Hillary Clinton is the Most Admired Woman this year, her ninth consecutive year at No. 1.
In fact, the order of the top six women named in 2010 is identical to 2009, with Sarah Palin, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Condoleezza Rice, and Queen Elizabeth following Clinton.
But there is disappointing news for Michelle Obama:
Thus far as first lady, Obama, like Laura Bush for most of her husband’s presidency, has not garnered high mentions as Most Admired Woman. Her single-digit performances on the list since Barack Obama took office are on the low side for other first ladies since Carter at this point in their husband’s first term.
Why is that?
One reason Michelle Obama may not garner higher mentions is that many Democrats, who might otherwise name a Democratic first lady, instead name Hillary Clinton. However, Obama also trails Oprah Winfrey in mentions among Democrats.
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.