Gallup has conducted it’s annual “Most Admired” poll, and the numbers shake out in very interesting ways. They poll Americans, but not everyone who makes the list is American. By far, the most admired man by Americans is president-elect Barack Obama. By far, the most admired woman by Americans is current NY senator and soon-to-be Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Here’s the breakdown of the lists, with the percentages of votes.

Most Admired Men:

1. Barack Obama – 32%

2. George W. Bush – 5%

3. John McCain – 3%

4. (tie) Pope Benedict XVI – 2%

5. (tie) Rev. Billy Graham – 2%

6. (tie) Bill Clinton – 2%

7. Colin Powell – 2%

8. Nelson Mandela – 1%

9. Bill Gates – 1%

10. The Dalai Lama – 1%

Most Admired Women:

1. Hillary Clinton – 20%

2. Sarah Palin – 11%

3. Oprah Winfrey – 8%

4. Condoleezza Rice – 7%

5. Michelle Obama – 3%

6. Margaret Thatcher – 2%

7. (tie) Laura Bush – 2%

8. (tie) Angelina Jolie – 2%

9. Barbara Bush – 1%

10. (tie) Madeline Albright – 1% & Ellen Degeneres – 1%

[From Gallup]

There were several surprises on the lists – President Bill Clinton is admired by the same percentage of Americans as Billy Graham and the Pope? Why does Nelson Mandela only get one percent? Is Oprah more powerful and respected then current Secretary of State Conoleezza Rice? What’s up with Margaret Thatcher? Are Angelina Jolie and Laura Bush really equally admired?

I think the women’s list is just more interesting. There’s a bigger spread in the numbers, as if Americans had an embarrassment of riches for admirable women. Still, I expected to see our future first lady Michelle Obama higher up in the list, but maybe that will happen when more Americans get to know her. Gallop pollsters break down the numbers even further, pointing out the consistency of Hillary Clinton’s popularity, as well as the resiliency of first ladies in general.

This is the seventh consecutive year that Hillary Clinton has secured top billing as Americans’ Most Admired Woman — and the 13th year she has made the top ten since her first appearance on the list in 1993. The 20% naming Clinton this year is comparable to what she received in 2007 (18%), but falls short of the 28% naming her in 1998.

Palin, McCain’s 2008 vice presidential pick and the first woman ever to run on a Republican presidential ticket, makes a strong second place debut, named by 11% of Americans. Her entrance on the list crowds Oprah Winfrey out of second place, a position she held each year from 2002 through 2007. Winfrey now ranks third, mentioned by 8% of Americans (down from 16%) a year ago.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ranks fourth, with 7%, followed by a variety of other political figures and entertainment stars. First lady Laura Bush has topped the list only once since her husband took office in 2001. First ladies are much less likely than presidents to win a top spot on Most Admired Woman, although Clinton did it six times in Bill Clinton’s two terms as president, Nancy Reagan three times in Ronald Reagan’s two terms, and Barbara Bush twice in her husband’s one term. Even Rosalyn Carter, whose husband suffered from low approval ratings for much of his last two years in office, achieved the top spot three out of her four years in the White House.

[From Gallup]

I always find it amazing that celebrities and entertainers like Oprah, Angelina Jolie and Ellen Degeneres are included on these lists. But there are several politicians on the list who are genuine celebrities in their own right – namely, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin. Palin is even considered more “admired” then her former running-mate, John McCain. Will this admiration lead to – oh, I don’t know – a run for the presidency in 2012?

Here are a bunch of photos of Obama golfing at the Mid-Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii yesterday. Credit: Bauergriffinonline. Obama and Hillary Clinton are shown in the header on 7/10/08. Credit: Janet Mayer/PRPhotos