US | Barack Obama Obama Most Admired Man: Poll Poll shows President is popular, but then, so was Bush By Kevin Spak Posted Dec 26, 2008 9:56 AM CST Copied In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama, left, his wife Michelle Obama, right, and two daughters, Malia, 7. and Sasha, 10, wave at the election night rally in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE) Barack Obama is the man Americans admire most, according to a new USA Today/Gallup poll, and no one else comes even close. Obama was the first or second pick for 32% of respondents; George Bush, who has topped the list for 7 years, came in second with just 5%. It’s the first time a president-elect has topped the list in more than 50 years. The results point to "a honeymoon period,” said one presidential historian of Obama, a "real opportunity for him to try to get things done because he'll have a lot of support." Also receiving votes were John McCain (3%), Pope Benedict, and Bill Clinton (both 2%). In the most-admired woman race, Hillary Clinton won handily for the 13th time in 16 years with 20% of the vote, beating out Sarah Palin’s 11%. Oprah took third with 8%. Read These Next A big shake-up at the top of Ben and Jerry's hierarchy. Man initially detained in Charlie Kirk case has been charged. The woman whose review of her local Olive Garden went viral has died. Trump to reporter: 'Maybe they'll have to go after you.' Report an error