Robert Gates rated more positively than Hillary Clinton

Tue, 05/05/2009 - 10:48am

Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates, April 30, 2009 

A recent survey by the Harris Poll finds that U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary Clinton are by leaps and bounds the most popular members of President Obama's cabinet. But you Hillary fans out there might not like it that Clinton came in No. 2 to Gates.

The online survey of 2,401 U.S. adults -- conducted April 13 to 21 and statistically adjusted for demographic factors such as age, race, and income -- found that 68 percent of those familiar with Gates gave him a positive rating, while 62 percent of those familiar with Clinton gave her a positive rating. However, 56 percent of respondents reported not feeling familiar enough with Gates to rate him (the information I have doesn't list the corresponding figure for Clinton, but it's probably safe to assume that a smaller percentage reported being unfamiliar with Clinton).

It should be noted that unlike the "barely civil" relationship that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had with Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice during the Bush administration, the relationship between Gates and Clinton is reported to be going quite well. "I couldn't agree with you more," Gates said multiple times to Clinton as she spoke at a Senate hearing last week.

Even a Republican complimented Gates and Clinton's relationship. "It's nice to see the relationship the two of you have built, and I'm very pleased with what you're doing," Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) told them last week.

Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

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The Way Things Are

by Sojourner on Tue, 05/05/2009 - 5:37pm

Factor OUT the sexism, and Hillary wins hands down.

One thing I have noticed is

by Still4Hill on Tue, 05/05/2009 - 6:11pm

One thing I have noticed is that Gates smiles when he's around Hillary. Of course Hillary smiles most of the time. She's a dazzler. She sure caught his eye and ear.

To all my hrc peeps, Hillary beats Obama's ratings . : )

by anne on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 8:07am

To those of you here that are part of the 18 million voters that voted HRC, here ya go. Even the Obama-loving Daily news has to come out and say it, HRC job approval higher than Mr. 17 million and change.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/05/03/2009-05-03_state_of_hil_tops_in_polls_clintons_job_approval_rate_soars__shes_even_beating_o.html

Here too:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/25/clinton.poll/

Granted, they're being judged quite differently given their positions, but it's fun just the same. ;D

Interesting headline.

by anne on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 7:53am

interesting headline. Gates rated higher than Hillary, when in fact the survey's own headline is a positive comment about both of them ("Gates and Clinton Continue to Get Strong Positive Ratings") and yours with a negative spin. In fact, their article is about their being the most popular while noting biden's ratings are lower. While the M. Secy title is He is more popular. And then of course ends with the positive, hillary is a team player. (Yeah, it *is* pretty awesome she gets along with anyone she chooses to).

Readers, google anything about Sen. Clinton's ratings and notice there is only 1 anywhere near recent, negative title or story, and it's this one. just fyi.

The spin is amazing isn't it?

by Annetoo on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 9:26am

...but not surprising. I doubt it would have been published here if Hill beat both Obama and Gates