WASHINGTON (CNN) - A new national poll suggests that Americans think President-elect Barack Obama's getting it right when it comes to his Cabinet picks, especially when it comes to Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates.
Seventy-five percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey approve of Obama's Cabinet choices, with 22 percent disapproving. That's 16 points higher than those in favor of then President-elect George W. Bush's Cabinet picks eight years ago.
The poll indicates that 71 percent approve of Obama's nomination of Clinton, the senator from New York, as his secretary of state. Democrats overwhelming approve of the choice, with two-thirds of independents agreeing and Republicans split on the pick.
Clinton and Obama were rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination during the very long and bitter primary season and the two didn't see eye to eye on some major international issues.
But the poll, conducted Monday and Tuesday, suggests that when Clinton and Obama disagree, Clinton won't go rogue.
"Will Hillary Clinton or Bill Clinton try to push their own foreign policy agenda? Americans say no,"states CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
Fifty-seven percent say that Clinton will follow Obama's policies rather than her own when she disagrees with the president and 54 percent think that her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will stay out of U.S. foreign policy.
Holland adds that the "favorable ratings for both Clintons have risen dramatically since the election."
Americans also seem to like Obama's move to keep current Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who was appointed two years ago by President Bush, at the Pentagon for at least the next year. Eighty-three percent of those polled approve of the move, with just 15 percent disapproving.
Many of Obama's choices for his Cabinet, his White House staff, and other high level positions in his incoming administration, are people who have ties to Washington and to the Clinton administration. But nearly three quarters of those questioned think that an Obama administration made up of such Washington insiders can bring about change. A similar amount feel that that the Obama Cabinet should be made up mostly of people who have served in the federal government in Washington.
And 88 percent feel that an Obama Cabinet made up of former rivals and opponents of the president-elect will be able to work together.
"Obama is so popular that 52 percent of Republicans approve of his Cabinet choices," Holland adds.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Survey was conducted by telephone with 1,096 adult Americans questioned. The surveys' sampling error is plur or minus 3 percentage points.
From CNN Politics
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I dislike Hillary. She shouldn't have been given anything because of what she did during the primaries. Sec of State should've gone to someone who has experience in diplomacy, like Richardson. I am not sure why Obama didn't pick him for that position. I was disappointed.
Since the Cabinet members serve at the President's behest, most understand he can also ask for their resignation. Hillary will certainly follow Obama's agenda.
That 22 percent who disapprove must be the same ones who still support George W. Bush, the ones who probably wouldn't like Obama's choices no matter what.
I think we are on the right track...Finally
As the poll results reflect, Hillary Clinton was a great choice. But as good as she will be as Sec. of State, she still should have been elected as President.
Nobody knows more or works harder than Hillary Clinton.
Way to go Mr President elect Obama.
Why shouldn't Obama be popular now...He hasn't done anything but appoint his cabinet which are mostly ex- Clintonites???? Go figure after he ran on change.Let's see where he is a year from now.
God help us all.
So far so good on the picks. Keep them moderate and keep the ultra-liberal, leftists at bay. Next, figure out a way to get rid of Pelosi and Reid!!
Exactly. 75% approval, 22% disapproval...the opposite of Bush's current rating.
Which is exactly why I voted with enthusiasm for Obama. I have high hopes for his presidency but will wait for concrete results.
HAHAHAHAHA...neener neener neener all you GOP rabblerousers. I know it's tough for fishies to understand there's a world outside the fishbowl, but you better start.
I personally like all of Obama's picks except for Nopalitano... that glove just doesn't have the proper fit for some reason. But, until she takes the post and starts working.. I can't say anything good or bad about that.
So... I'll be one the 75% that likes his picks... but we need a new poll. What percentage of people are ready to punch the next pollster we see
I'll bet you that would be around 90% or higher.
I'm sure Barack can handle just about anything in a quiet dignified way.
HE IS MAKING THIS LOOK TOO EASY.
I would have thought, given it was a CNN poll, more like 100%?
Headline should add......"except the right wing nut jobs on the blogs who will complain about something new every day until Obama leaves office in 2017."
When even the Republican ideologues approve, why won't the minions of Rush and Hannity accept it?
Of course! Last poll was 70% approve and 20% did not..... well, that 20% are the people who still approve of Bush. They are in total denial.
WOW.........52% of Republicans approve of Obama's Cabinet choices?! Maybe this will silence the hate-lies-and-fear-mongers like Hannity and Limbaugh! And..........Faux News!
LOL.....Like most Americans even have a clue who these people are or what their track records are.
DON'T LIKE THE THE HILLARY CLINTON PICK !!!!! NOW THAT BARACK HAS WON HE BEARS A LITTLE WATCHING HE MAY BE MOVING A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT AND THATS NOT WHY WE PUT HIM IN OFFICE , WE DON'T WANT BUSH LIGHT!!! BUT IT'S A WAIT AND SEE TIME , OBAMA WILL DO THE RIGHT THING WE ALL HOPE !!
His choices have been outstanding, for the most part. He has collected a group of people who will test him, who will present him with all possible alternatives, and who will let him know when he's wrong. He will not be surrounded by cronyist yes-men, as Bush had been. I'm encouraged so far by our PE's actions and choices. I shudder to think at what the alternative (McCain/Palin) would have been presented to us.
I concur.
The article states "That's 16 points higher than those in favor of then President-elect George W. Bush's Cabinet picks eight years ago."
And the reason for that is because conservatives are willing to give Obama a chance, which is a far cry from how democrats react when they lose an election.
I am Deeply Disapointed with His Selections, Especially Hillary Clinton and Gates.. I will NOT be Spporting them Or thier Agenda.. This is Not Change... This is the same Bush Agenda !!!! 4 years is Not that long for another "Change in this Country '!!
He is so great!
I wonder if he ever did anything that was ordinary.
Even the minor details he does as if preordained to greatness.
I love this man!!
I am surpirsed 100% of the public doesn't approve.
Every choice he made is perfect.
Every word out of his mouth is perfect.
He is the greatest PE ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you insane CNN? What poll says this? I have heard nothing but complaints about Hillary Clinton from so many people that were hardcore Obama supporters that I really doubt the validity of this poll. I think this poll and article exist only to make people think they support this Clinton 2.0 because we are not getting the "Change" as advertised.
Brilliant idea to have Clinton as Secretary of State...instead of VP. That really consolidates his power.
Obama – one shrewd dude!
WHY DO YOU THINK THE REPUB'S ARE JEALOUS, CAUSE HE IS MORE BRILLIANT & SMARTER THAN BUSH-WACK WILL EVER BE!!!!!!
Agreed. So far, so good!
I'm thrilled with the decisions Barack Obama is making and he's not even President yet. What an amazing eight years this Country has ahead of it. I can't wait to see him, Joe Biden and the rest of the Obama cabinet make this Country whole, respected, and proporous once again. Thank you President Barack Obama!!!!!!!
yes and i believe in santa, the tooth-fairy, little green men, martians, big foot, the loch ness monster, and oh yes – no. 1 on my list of truths is that the clinton's will do anything anybody wants or needs to help others – ha ha ha – merry christmas obama, your worst nightmares are about to begin!!!
Barack Obama will be a great, pragmatic President. I bet the fanatics who were screaming about Obama being a far-left radical are feeling pretty stupid about now...at least they should be. And the "PUMA" loons must be DYING! Ha Ha!
What's not to like??? :~)
Wow, only 54 percent think Bill will stay out of foreign policy? Politically, I think Obama shouldn't have offered Clinton SofS and Clinton shouldn't have accepted. Too much baggage.
But in the bigger picture, the Clintons are enormously popular overseas. So I think she/they will do a good job of restoring the world's confidence in the US.
And yes, the HIllary Clinton supporters are happy. Essentially the same types of individuals who would have been in her cabinet are in Obama's cabinet. As I've heard mentioned a lot now, it's looking more like a Clinton adminstration with Obama the figurehead.
So it's a little silly to say HIllary won't pursue her own foreign policy, that she has to do what Obama wants. Hello?! All along, it's been said there wasn't a lot of difference between the two and there isn't. Obama has always been the party guy. HIllary's position is Obama's position and vice versa. There is no difference.
I like what I see!
I totally agree that Obama has made some very smart cabinet picks with some real heavyweights...regardless of political affiliation and/or being an "opponent" in the primaries.
I say...fantastic, well-thought-out choices!! With our economy the way it is and with the terrorism still in existence, we need all these people.
I'm surprised the approval rate isn't higher, but I'll settle for that. So far he is producing, keep up the good job President Obama (i love how that sounds).
Finally, a poll that actually means something. I approve of anyone(besides for GOP idiots) who he puts in his cabinet. President-elect Obama proved to me a long time ago that he has good and sound judgement.
doing a good job so far i hope he keeps it up
good job overall,
the support for the liar hillary just proves having a that a majority does not always mean that something is right and that even Obama is going to make mistakes now and then.. but that is alright in 6 months, when she has proven herself incompetant at sos 9if it takes that long) he can always fire her and get someone competant
I support him as a president. I also know that Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson, and Ramh Emanual sure sound like change. =( just kidding
I just hope the cabinet will do what is in the best interest for us. He seems to have chosen many educated people with incredible resumes. Lets get it done and put this economy and country back on track. I support his decisions and hope he the president elect made the right right choices.
He's got my approval.
I approve!
Even many of his critics seem to be pleased with Obama's picks. It sure has silenced all of those "Not ready to lead, too inexperienced, he'll have to learn on the job" jabs that came at him during the campaign. In fact a lot of people are ready for him to take over NOW.
Here's hoping all that optimism is warranted!
Good Job, Mr. PE Obama. We all appreciate your thoughtfulness and intelligence.
I trust you Mr. President-Elect!
Most of those disapproving are (R) and PUMA (New Green Ticket Members-We've kicked you out of our Democratic Party)!
Keep up the splendid display of intelligence and good will!
Forgiveness is a great and healing thing!
I have to agree also, BUT you can bet that the anti-Obama folks aren't going to like it. No matter what this man does they are going to find fault in it somehow some way. He could have picked the 12 apostles ( sans Judas of course) and the right wingers would STILL find fault with it. I'm pulling for our new president all they way. I don't want to see him fail, yet there are some that do and to me that's just sad.
With the potential exception of Eric Holder, I would agree. Holder may be much deeper into the completely inexcusable pardon of Marc Rich that he's let on to. Not sure we want that as our chief law enforcement officer. This should be an interesting confirmation hearing and he should get grilled on the subject.
Hillary will really turn our international image around. Go Hillary!
You Go President elect Obama
<3 my President-Elect!
I'm very happy with his Cabinet picks. January 20th can't come soon enough!!
Not sure about Hillary as SoS but other than that pretty darn good.
So far, so good
Good Job Mr. President Elect, your cabinet selection so far has been superb. Chi-Town Stand Up !!
This poll simply indicates that Republican voters are better losers and more willing to give opponents the benefit of the doubt. Democrats would have given an unfavorable rating to Bush's selections eight years ago no matter who they were.
As evidenced by his cabinet choices, his campaign, and just about everything he's done in his life, Barack Obama is a brilliant individual. He is going to make an excellent leader for our country!
My guess is that fully 90% of the public could not name more than one cabinet appointee. As a good friend of mine says, average is pretty stupid, or in this case, pretty ignorant. We need to rethink some of these polls.
I believe Richardson would have been a better pick for SOS and HC should have stayed in the Senate or gone to Health and Human Services.
They, the public, approved of Bush's cabinet pick too.
Yes we do! so far,so good...
I'm cool with Obama's choices.
I will never forget all of the oil executives and middle east businessmen that bush put into his cabinet.
Clinton was a great pick and she would have been an outstanding President but he did it to get her out of the country and remove her from her Senate position where she could have continued to disagree with him on policies, programs and funding. Now for the most part, he has rendered her mute, except for opinions behind closed doors,
Obama-bashers begin your diatribes; ten, nine, eight, seven . . . .
Oh, wait a minute, their god Rush may still be on in some markets, and the hasn't told them how to think today.
Sure would be nice to know who is pulling the strings of the obama puppet.
Yeah, whatever. Too bad you poll only lefties and code pink voters in your unobjective tallies. Where is the "change" he so staunchly campaigned on? Just more of he same crap in a new wrapper. I wish you luck Mr. Obama, you are not my president but I respect the office not the man. Please prove me wrong, make me believe in "change", but don't make me pay for it.
I just dont see where the "change" will be.
mr president elect is doing right thing at the moment .lets see what next
Gee, he picked Clinton. There's some of that promised change...NOT!
Change you can xerox!
I like the selections, but shouldn't we wait to see how they perform in office before offering our approval/disapproval?
OK! I agree with the choices. Where are all the critics against Obama? Hiliary should be this or that...sounds choices are always made on the other side of a fight.
America (FOREVER!!!)
Im sorry, but i refuse to "approve" of President Obama's cabinet selection before they have done anything in the white house...its almost time for Obama and his team to step up, and i am going to reserve my judgment until I can see how Obama and his staff act in office.
It's the other 48% of the backwoods, right-wing bible thumpers that disagree that hold this nation down....
Really? What happened to change we can believe in? What change? Picking insiders and polarizing figures for your cabinet is change? I bought into his slogan during the election. Listened to him rip the Clinton's down as the "old way" blah blah and then he goes and makes her S of S. What the heck man?
Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice sahme on me. I won't be fooled again on 2012.
54 % of the people are completely fooled by this poll.
His choices have been outstanding, for the most part. He has collected a group of people who will test him, who will present him with all possible alternatives, and who will let him know when he's wrong. He will not be surrounded by cronyist yes-men, as Bush had been. I'm encouraged so far by our PE's actions and choices. I shudder to think at what the alternative (McCain/Palin) would have presented to us.
Napolitano is an awesome choice for Homeland Security Secretary – she is going to have Rendell, and anyone else who wants to play around with her, in a bind answering to her – she will set people straight! This is great! Obama is awesome.
Well, if Bill or Hillary want to go their own way, they can always be shown the door. I don't think Hillary will make it for longer than a year anyway.
"Democrats overwhelming approve of the choice, with two-thirds of independents agreeing and Republicans split on the pick."
Most journalists, thinking more like show biz gossip columnists, look at the nominations from the point of view of personal political intrigues (keep your friends close and your enemies closer, neutralize the rivals, etc.). I've always taken the more expansive view that Obama is planning momentous changes in the federal government and policy and he knows the only way to succeed is to get the support of all of the Democrats, most of the independents and some of the Republicans. Based on the quote above, seems like the president-elect is on track.
of course lemmings approve of their false prophet
Anyone with half a brain knows how intelligent and thoughtful Barack is. He is surrounding himself with highly intelligent people as well and is not afraid of their egos.
He is going to make us all proud once again to be Americans!
I would of of liked to seen John Kerry as the S.O.S. but I am sure Clinton would do a good job as well
The only horrible choice i see is Obama himself!! Right now what ever Obama does his supporters are going to say it is great, they are too simple minded to contest it........simple minded people can easily fall under a dictatorship!!! HMMMM – the whole continent of Africa!!!!!!
Whomever he picks for his cabinet, we still have to respect his choices. So far he is picking the right candidates for his cabinet.
"Obama is so popular that 52 percent of Republicans approve of his Cabinet choices," Holland adds"
LOL!!! Even MJ doesnt have anything on his dynasty years, LOL!! Let's just sit back, relax and let the money roll...wait a minute, that's what we're trying to figure out, sorry, LOL!!
GREAT IF YOU LIKE ALL CLINTON STAFF!!!!!!!!!!
OH I ALMOST FORGOT THE CLINTONS WILL BE RUNNING THIS COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!
Go Hillary!
Brilliant decisions so far. I think prosperity and world peace are days away.
BBBBBOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why wouldn't we approve?! We hired the man for his intelligence, judgment and vision.
Let the man do his job already!!
Will this shut the right wing nuts?
Unfortunately no.....
I feel that Obama has done a good job with the cabinet nominations. Also, for all those critics saying that he's not bringing change; jhe said change from Bush(Fine Print: Never said anything about Clinton). He even said that the change comes from him, and that he'll bring new faces with experience. So we just have to wait and see what he'll do next.
I support Obama and his choices but can't help thinking of the old saying 'keep friends close and enemies closer'.
Of course we approve. He is the reason people traveled all over the country, working so hard to get him elected.
So far, he is living up to the hype. He's doing a great job and I'll be proud to call him my president. I'll be proud to see that beautiful family in my White House.
It's a new day America and we are moving on up.
Hillary and Bill have a chance for a clean slate. They can overcome all of the bad publicity by being team players. So far, so good. We'll see.
Hey its Bill clinton era all over again. Different President same cabinet.
Again this man has to outperform his predecessors .... he has to be twice as good .... and he is....
May his best days be ahead of him....
Well if McCain and Palin had won, the country would be on meds right now. But all is well, and we're happy as clams.
Barack/Biden 08, 12
It's like we've been sick for 8 years and we're feeling hopeful because the medication is about to kick in.
Why would Hillary talk trash about Obama then go to work for him. She is a sell out, because Obama is a sell out. He has no back bone.
Good job Obama. We are on our way.
I love my new president and I love this country.
Oh yes, oh yes, I do.
Is anyone surprised that he is doing exactly what he said he would do? He has always appeared to be an honest, smart and very caring man. I'm not surprised at all! He is unifying people like no president before him and even Republicans like him...WOW!
Barack is wonderful, his team is great, and his family is gorgeous. It's beginning to look a lot like the America I love.
Of course the country is pleased. We're sending the idiots back to Texas, and we're taking the Constitution out and dusting it off. It's been a long 8 years.
Obama is an intellegent man. He has enough good sense to pick highly qualified people who get things done. They won't sit around saying -yes, yes yes, yes yes! They will be from both parties and a tapistry of who we are as a country. We have real problems to solve. Bush has us in a real fix. It comforting to know Obama's on it. He's a doer not a talker.
His calm and steady damenor helps me sleep at night. You see I'm a small business owner with people to pay, mountains and valleys to transverse, a future to chart. I can do it now knowing a real leader is finally in office!
AS FAR AS AM CONCERNED,HE HAS CREDITABLY DONE WELL.AND THATS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD.
YOU KNOW, I LOST MY JOB BUT I FILL MUCH BETTER KNOWING WE HAVE SMART PRES IN CHARGE. THANK YOU AMERICA.
But the really important question here is will Obama be able to stay "true to his values." As we heard in the hard hitting interview with his sister, "W" takes great pride in the fact that he never lost his values. Truth is he had little else to take pride in.
What we are seeing here is a transition away from the first American Theocracy, where believing was seen as an substitue for thinking, and intellegence was something you made up. It wasn't considered a particularly high priority in executive branch appointments.
Yes we can
I'm very pleased! Go Obama
Good job.
I think his choices are fairly good. He is surrounding himself with people that know what they are doing. Unfortunately, everyone said the same thing about Bush....hopefully this wont turn out the same way.
Good Luck!
Just goes to show you how blind Obama's followers are, because he is not appointing the types of people he said he would appoint, yet people are still happy with him. Maybe it's an extreme case of Bush Derangement Syndrome. It's really a shame his followers are the ones who decided the election because in their eyes, he can do no wrong. Much like in the presses eyes. I think we are in for some scary times.
But don't worry Kook-Aid drinkers, I'm sure he'll do something for you sooner or later.
I agree so far so good!
I put my complete trust in Obama's decision making. I will once again trust my Government to be for the people. I feel like I left a lover that cheated on me after 8 years and I am learning to trust a new better mate. LOL!
Barrack " Clinton " Obama is doing a fine job.
His cabinet picks sure have a 1992-2000 flavor to them, dont they?
I agree with the poll.............his choices have been excellent. And Hillary is going to be a stellar Secy. of State. Even many Republicans have said how smart and capable she is. I'm still a little annoyed that she's not President, but this post will highlight her strengths and probably make her more of a logical choice for President down the road.
Look at the intelligence base of those who voted for the democratic puppet Obama – they have no clue who most of these people are, and they are all Washington trash. Where is the "change" for Washington?
Fifty-two percent of republicans approve of his Cabinet choices,I would
say that the new adminstration is setting up quite well.Mr.Obama is showing a real intelligent and pragmatic approach to his new position,
and that is a welcome"change"to the past eight years.
I always hear the media saying what horrible things Hillary will do. Yet they can never give anything specific. Her history has so far shown that the she is the opposite of whatever they say. With the people approving of her, it seems that most of us are now looking beyond the bias of some in the media
Experience and intelligence really do count. Couldn't be happier with Obamas choices. We've been without intelligence for 8 long years and it will take another 8 years to get us back on track. Obama and company are the ones to do it. Bush says he is going out of office with his head held high. He should put on the uniform and carry all the weight our boys and girls do. He should know what it feels like since he is the one who started our first pre-emptive war. Go join up and do what our troops have done. Go back for 4 tours of duty and then maybe Bush can hold his head up high. But then again, the only thing Bush knows how to do is chop wood. Go back to Crawford and try to sleep at night.
Looks like now that Obama has been elected, he is following Bush's policies on Iraq (Gates) and his economic policies (Geithner). While I agree on his defense secretary, his economic team may send us into a depression, much like FDR'S social programs did did in the 30's.
When Obama stated change, he meant it. I think people don't understand what "change" means. Change dosen't mean new faces, it means new ideas or a new approach from the old. Choosing your cabinet earlier, having diferent poliical backgrounds in your cabinets, meeting with governors, have an economic package ready before your actually sworn in. These factors alone is very different from any other President-Elect.
Fourth'd!
Dear Obam,
god bless you. Please let us know if there is any cost for your inauguaration. it should be the people's like your election. Your White House is the people's White House. god bless America
Nganenu
Where is john kerry and his gigantic ego? No room for 2 gigantic egos?
People will never learn.They still believe in these polls that are madeup to influence our direction,and like stupid sheep they follow.
Dear Obam
You're the smartest man in this country. make swallow their ago and serve the nation. make the know what it means to be elected. let them understand they represent us
nganenu
the change is here, brilliant minds, all in agreement.
Sooner or later this love affair with Obama will come to an end. Then this nation will be grappling with a bad case of cognitive dissonance – and the media who promoted him, indulged him and did everything but elect him will be eating alot of crow.
HA HA HA brilliant? Please-all Obama is doing is taking us back to the Cilnton era.Picking Joe Biden as VP and Janet Napolitano as Homeland Security Secretary were probably the most insane choices he`s made so far.
Well nganeu he`s smarter than you that`s for sure.
I don't approve of Hillary the traveling circus to be nominated as secretary of state. she and bill are full of drama which we don't need at this time. With the exception of Clinton, I am happy with Obama's cabinet picks.
Why do all media correspondents/reporters refer to the upcoming GOP Senate as "filibuster proof" when it isn't ?.
The GOP Senate could however, be CLOTURE proof.
Clinton as SOS, Pathetic.
I like his cabinet picks and for the person who said FDR put us in a depression due to his social programs go read a history book. His social programs like the WPA were in RESPONSE to the depression. Wall Street and the banks helped put us in the depression.
annie Palin....... Palin is the one with the ego so big I dont know how she fits through a door. Small mind ..... big ego..............Dont you get that Palin cost Mccain the election? I know people who actually were pro Mccain till he picked PALIN
steve I am a college graduate and I voted for Obama