Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton are the nation’s most admired man and woman — again — in the annual USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.
Each leads their category with 17% of votes in top 10 lists that favor the most familiar names in global politics, religion, entertainment and culture.
Linda Dinco, 62, of Latrobe, Pa., says she named Obama and Secretary of State Clinton for their “intelligence and their toughness.”
Obama supplanted George W. Bush at No. 1 in 2008 but Bush continues in the No. 2 spot, according to the poll of 1,019 U.S. adults conducted Dec. 15-18.
Former president Bill Clinton hovers in third this year, just above the most frequently named person in the poll’s history — the Rev. Billy Graham. The 93-year-old evangelist has been on the list since Gallup first asked the question in 1946 and has made the top 10 55 times.
Perennial runner-up Oprah Winfrey is No. 2 for women for the 10th time. It’s her 24th year in the top 10.
First lady Michelle Obama garnered third place, dropping former Alaska governor Sarah Palin to fourth this year.
After the first two or three names at the top of these lists, it’s a steep drop percentage-wise. Many make the top 10 without a lot of support.
No. 5 Warren Buffett had 2% of the votes, the same as Bill Clinton and Graham but rounding set the order. Buffett drew a vote from Alan Rhodes, 58, of Arlington, Texas. Rhodes says he admires the billionaire because, “his wealth is secondary to loving his work.”
Source: USA Today | Cathy Lynn Grossman
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