Posted on 12/27/2010 6:51:30 PM PST by freespirited
Some very interesting things have emerged in Gallup’s 2010 “Most Admired” survey. That America’s most admired man is Barack Obama is not one of them. He is the president, you know. And even when his job-approval ratings took a dramatic downward turn, polls continued to show that Americans liked him as a person, policies aside. May he figure out how to turn this enduring admiration into collective and sustainable national purpose.
Now for the fun part: Guess who has the No. 2 spot. None other than George W. Bush. Normally, there’d be nothing remarkable in the last president being the second-most admired man in the country. But because the anti-Bush attack machine had so doggedly tried to paint him as a frightening historical outlier it’s stunning to see him treated like any American president. So much for the validity of an eight-year long, millions-strong politico-cultural movement. Bush only goes up from here.
And speaking of ex-presidents, Bush beat out Bill Clinton for the No. 2 spot. The modern-day superhero of American politics came in third, one point behind the recent embodiment of political evil (Among independents, Clinton beat Bush by one percentage point). Amazing what two years of bad liberal policy will do to sharpen the assessment facilities of the American people.
And speaking of Clintons, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton topped the most-admired female list. Again, Americans respect their sitting leaders. It’s almost disturbingly difficult to point to anything noteworthy that Hillary Clinton has done this year. Okay, it is disturbingly difficult. Perhaps, she enjoyed the benefit of any comparison with her boss in the White House. The 2008 election still looms large in the national consciousness and the sense of “choice” between the two has never completely faded, especially among Democrats.
And speaking of the 2008 election, the Democrats’ national nightmare, Sarah Palin, came in second to Hillary. Palin beat out none other than omnipresent cultural goddess Oprah Winfrey, who came in third (Both beat out First Lady Michelle Obama, who came in fourth).
To my mind, the big win goes to Palin. For all the pundit chatter about her not being a viable contender for president, the public admires her more than the most beloved media personality in the country. Like Oprah, Palin channeled her talent to connect with Americans toward its most efficient use. The Tea Party allowed her to showcase her ability, raise her market value, and serve a cause she believes in: America. Right before the eyes of antagonistic columnists and hostile comics she became the credible face of the most transformative political movement the country has seen in decades. Her faults are apparent enough, but it’s not hard to see how the right circumstances are able to bring her talents center stage. And it’s not hard to see why everyone loves lists.
Does anyone else notice that the current First “Lady” came in FOURTH? That seems out of the ordinary.
No different than people worshipping her without meeting her. Folks are just wired to make decisions like this from what little they know of a person.
The good things GWB did were very good; however his elitist trips into big govt RINO/socialism is unforgivable and helped pave the way for imam obozo.
Bush bashing lead to Obama.
I used to love bush but compared to Palin he’s a dog!
Most of the people who like and support Sarah Palin have read her books and articles, have seen many of her speeches, and do agree with her principles, values, and her vision for the USA.
One who will not read is no better off than one who can't.
Which is no different than people who don’t like her. Who says they haven’t read her books listened to her speeches and have decided hse is a bad person. It’s just how we view things. Lots of people think Obama is great after reading his books many others don’t, same thing.
When people mindlessly repeat the MSM talking points about Palin, it is obvious that they have not read what she has written or listened to her speeches. Otherwise they would know the MSM talking points are agenda-driven lies.
No it’s not, it’s just they see the same issue.
It’s the same thing obamabots say about people who call him out or talk about him. There really is no difference. You don’t know this woman just like they don’t know her. You are making what you would consider an educated guess from the very little information you have gathered the same as them.
You have no way of knowing what I do or don't know about this woman, but you really should read more before displaying your ignorance.
Don’t need to, this is common sense. People spend too much time thinking they are the keeper of some great secret that they need to share with other people, it’s humorous.
You also have no idea what others know but you blanketed anyone who doesn’t support her. LOL! I just pointed out the sad fact that some people will like her and some won’t. It doesn’t matter how many speeches she gets or how upset you get at those folks for not falling in line with your thinking they will not change.
Here's the difference.
If you or others disagreed with anything she has actually written or said on issues or policy, you or they could state such disagreement and present some counter argument. You and they don't and can't do that, because you and they have not read or listened to anything she has written or said.
I love Bush and Palin.
I am pretty sure that in order for conservatism to succeed it will at some point have to develop a spine and defend conservatives such as GWB.
Until then, we can plan ahead for the avalanche of ridicule and contempt falling on Palin and faux conservatives running away from her just as they did with GWB.
I do think there are differences between the two and things I like better about Palin than Bush.
How is this me? I just said that evryone does what you complained about.
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