Gallup: Obama, Clinton are most admired in 2011

Is there any wonder why some want to see this as a presidential ticket next year? President Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton were named the Most Admired Man and woman in the world in 2011, according to a Gallup survey.

Seventeen percent of Americans named Clinton, the top choice by 10 percentage points over Oprah Winfrey. Clinton, the secretary of State and former first lady, has now been the most admired woman in the poll a record 16 times; Gallup began asking Americans to name the person they most admire in 1946.

Sarah Palin was the choice of 4%, just behind First Lady Michelle Obama. Last year, 12% identified Palin as the most admired woman.

Obama was mentioned by 17% of those surveyed, well ahead of former Presidents George W. Bush (3%) and Bill Clinton (2%). GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich was named by 1%, as was would-be candidate Donald Trump and religious leaders Pope Benedict XVI and Thomas Monson.

Gallup’s survey of 1,019 adults was conducted Dec. 15-18, and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.