Clinton's popularity at nearly an all-time high

Posted By P.J. Aroon Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 8:20 PM Share

Hillary Clinton's favorable rating is at nearly the highest it has been in the 17 years that Gallup has been polling people about her. In a poll this month, 62 percent gave her a favorable rating, higher than President Obama's 56 percent. Clinton's highest rating -- 67 percent favorable -- was in December 1998, soon after her husband, then president, was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Among Democrats, 91 percent have a favorable rating of Clinton. For Republicans it's 35 percent, and for independents it's 55 percent.

Meanwhile, Obama's 56 percent favorable rating is the lowest it has been since late 2007, and his unfavorable rating -- 40 percent -- is his highest ever. (The telephone poll of 1,013 American adults was conducted Oct. 1 to 4, before the announcement of his Nobel Peace Prize, which might have temporarily lifted his favorable rating.)

(The margin of error for 95 percent confidence is ± 4 percentage points.)

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ABRAHAM WINTERS

3:32 PM ET

October 16, 2009

Hillary

Hillary Clinton is working really hard to get that approval rating up. However, she is a politician which means that we all wonder if her heart is really in the right place. Sometimes you have to do the unpopular thing in order to do what is right. webwork

 

CAROLYN-RODHAM

10:15 PM ET

October 16, 2009

It feeds her heart...

If you're referring to her not speaking out more forcefully against human rights violations in China, well then I suppose I'm with you there (although your beef should really be with our President on that one). What Hillary HAS done is to commit herself to push women's rights issues on the international stage -- a cause she has devoted herself to throughout her career. News reports noted with some surprise:

"When Clinton ignored security advice and flew to Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, her focus on the region's rape crisis resonated with some of the continent's most powerless people: women.

It wasn't just that she was the first top-level American official to go to the epicenter of one of the world's deadliest wars, nor even the U.S. aid money she promised. It was her reaction to victims' stories of rape — and the hope that she might do something about it."

The Washington Post further elaborated, saying:

"It is striking how much time Clinton dedicates to women's events on her trips, even ones that receive little public attention. In South Africa, a clearly delighted Clinton spent 90 minutes at the housing project, twice as long as she met with South Africa's president. 'It feeds my heart,' she explained. 'Which is really critical to me personally since a lot of what I do as secretary of state is very formalistic. It's meetings with other officials.'"

To imply she is flying around being the media hound, hogging TV time, gathering photo ops for maximum visibility and catering to various interest groups to get her ratings up? -- I'm afraid you lose me there. All she is doing is working extremely hard (nothing new -- she has done that all her life) for causes that feed her heart.

She richly deserves her high approval ratings, even if she has been largely ignored by the media.

 

HRC2012

1:56 PM ET

October 18, 2009

With someone such as Hillary

With someone such as Hillary who works so hard for our country; for improving its image; for lifting up the ordinary citizens of any country - it is difficult to see how you can even think that her heart may not be in the right place.

Her heart is pure compassion for the basic human rights of all people, and especially her chosen goal of advancing women's rights. Her heart is filled with pride in her country, and an unflagging dedication to improving its image with its neighbors around the world. She backs up what is in her heart with tireless work; with days and schedules so busy and long that the news reporters interviewing her constantly comment about how hard it is to keep up with her.

She is in politics because it is an avenue that allows her to help people. She is our top diplomat because her talents right now are our best hope at achieving some measure of international peace and stability.

 

MODERATEWINGER

2:19 AM ET

October 17, 2009

Hillary has higher approval ratings

Than Obama for one simple reason. She isn't in the firing range. On the other hand, people have warmed up to her again after the spitting contest between her and Obama. What surprises me is that 35% of Republicans approve of her.

Abraham, her hear is indeed in the right place, and working hard for the betterment of the country.

 

Madam Secretary is an obsessive blog about all things Hillary Clinton. From her policies to her pantsuits, Madam Secretary delivers up-to-the-minute news, analysis, and gossip about America's top diplomat.