Obama Still ‘Most Admired’ Man, Gallup Says

Though his approval ratings have fallen sharply over the past two years, President Obama remains the nation's most-admired man,Gallup and USA Today report.

Their annual "most-admired" list shows that 22 percent of the 1,019 people surveyed chose Obama. At No. 2: former President George W. Bush, who was the choice of 5 percent.

Obama has topped the list three straight years. His "most-admired" numbers (like his approval ratings) have fallen, though. He was the choice of 32% in late 2008 and 30% in 2009.

And though he's easily held on to the top spot, as Gallup reminds us it's no big surprise that a president comes in at No. 1:

"Sitting presidents have dominated Gallup's Most Admired Man poll over the years, achieving No. 1 in 52 out of 64 measures since Gallup initiated the question in 1946."

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton remains the solid top No. 1 as most-admired woman, finishing first for the ninth straight year. Gallup says the top six among women this year were the same as in 2009. The latest numbers:

— Clinton, the choice of 17 percent.

— Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, 12 percent.

— TV host/media mogul Oprah Winfrey, 11 percent.

— First lady Michelle Obama, 5 percent.

— Former secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, 2 percent.

— Queen Elizabeth, 2 percent.

Other notes from the survey:

— Among men, former President Bill Clinton got 4 percent of the vote. Tied at 2 percent each: South Africa's Nelson Mandela, Microsoft's Bill Gates, Pope Benedict XVI, the Rev. Billy Graham, former President Jimmy Carter and Fox News Channel's Glenn Beck. The Dalai Lama got 1 percent.

— Five women each got about 1 percent support. They are: actress Angelina Jolie, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, and former first ladies Laura and Barbara Bush.