hillaryRemember during the presidential campaign, when Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton was asked about her “likability” compared to that of  rival Barack Obama?

The inference was that people didn’t like her as much as they liked him, even after he told her during a presidential debate: “You’re likable enough.”

That was then.

This is now.

Secretary of State Clinton is more popular (or can we just say likable) than President Obama, according to a Gallup poll released on Thursday.

Clinton is viewed favorably by 62 percent of Americans, just three points below her rating in January. Obama’s favorable rating has fallen 22 points from 78 percent in January to land at 56 percent.

Here’s a look back at that moment in New Hampshire in 2008, when Clinton’s likability was in question.

The Gallup report says the change in the relative popularity of Clinton to Obama may have more to do with their respective jobs than their personalities.

He came into office with sky-high ratings. But a battered economy, healthcare, and two wars have taken a toll  on his numbers.  Clinton is juggling some tough issues too. But the secretary of state is not in the glare of the spotlight as much as her boss.

The poll was taken Oct. 1 through Oct. 4,  before Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize — a surprise that may have given him a boost or helped push his numbers down even more.

We’ll have to wait for the next poll to see.

For more Reuters political coverage click here.

Photo credit:Reuters/Cathal McNaughton (Clinton in Belfast, Northern Ireland, October 12, 2009)


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