Bush 2nd Most Admired Man In 2005 -- By Democrats

According to a Gallop Poll (subscription required), George W. Bush is the clear choice as the most admired man for the fifth year in a row. Hillary Rodham Clinton edged out Oprah Winfrey and Condoleezza Rice as the most admired woman. This is the fourth straight year respondents considered Hillary Clinton their most admired woman. The Rev. Billy Graham finished among the top 10 most admired men for a record 49th time.

Courtesy of Everything I Know Is Wrong here's the breakout of the top five men by party affiliation:

Democrats
Bill Clinton 13%
George W. Bush 7%
Jimmy Carter 6%
Pope Benedict XVI 4%
Nelson Mandela 3%

Independents
George W. Bush 11%
Bill Clinton 3%
Pope Benedict XVI 3%
Jimmy Carter 3%
Bill Gates 3%

Republicans
George W. Bush 44%
Billy Graham 5%
Gordon B. Hinckley 3%
Colin Powell 3%
Pope Benedict XVI 2%
Bill Gates 2%

A little disconcerting -- Angelina Jolie finished as the sixth most admired woman.

This poll highlights something that most on the right and few on the left seem to grasp. There is often a vast difference between being liked and being admired and respected. I highly doubt that George W. Bush would show up at all on the most "liked man list" or "most popular man list" for Democrats or probably even Independents. However, it is far better for the leader of the greatest nation on earth (or anyone else for that matter) to be admired and respected than it is to be liked.