

Raleigh, N.C. – A few weeks ago, PPP found that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the most popular person in any realm on which the company had ever polled. 89% of Wisconsin voters had a favorable impression of him, and only 4% an unfavorable one. In an endeavor to find someone more beloved, PPP asked all American voters about several public figures and someone much more private. Of ten names, the only ones to best Rodgers are Jesus Christ, Abraham Lincoln, and poll respondents themselves.

Only 1% of Americans see themselves unfavorably, and 93% have a positive view. The second most esteemed is President Lincoln, of whom 91% are favorably disposed and 2% unfavorably. Then Jesus, with a 90-3 mark. Also very popular are the first president, George Washington (86-3), and Mother Teresa of Calcutta (83-5). Way behind but still very well-liked are Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (74-10), Mahatma Gandhi (64-9), Santa Claus (67-13), Nelson Mandela (64-10), and Steve Jobs (62-10).

Female respondents to this poll (95-1) were slightly more likely than males (92-2) to see themselves in a good light. Of the age groups, those under the age of 30 were least likely to see themselves well (89-6). The young were also the least charitable toward most of the other figures except King—those over 65 give him only a 54-17 grade. There are some partisan disparities as well. The three civil rights leaders (Gandhi, King, and Mandela) are seen unfavorably by only 5-8% of Democrats and independents but by 13-17% of Republicans.

“Americans have a very high opinion of themselves,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “You can argue that we’re a psychologically healthy nation…or you can argue that we’re an arrogant one. Either interpretation fits the numbers.”

PPP will resume its polling on the image of individual states in December.

PPP surveyed 800 American voters from November 10th to 13th. The margin of error for the survey is +/-3.5%. This poll was not paid for or authorized by any campaign or political organization. PPP surveys are conducted through automated telephone interviews. PPP is a Democratic polling company, but polling expert Nate Silver of the New York Times found that its surveys in 2010 actually exhibited a slight bias toward Republican candidates.

Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.

Q1 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion

of Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Favorable……………………………………………….. 74%

Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 10%

Not sure …………………………………………………. 17%

Q2 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion

of Mother Teresa?

Favorable……………………………………………….. 83%

Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 5%

Not sure …………………………………………………. 12%

Q3 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion

of Mahatma Gandhi?

Favorable……………………………………………….. 64%

Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 9%

Not sure …………………………………………………. 27%

Q4 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion

of George Washington?

Favorable……………………………………………….. 86%

Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 3%

Not sure …………………………………………………. 11%

Q5 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion

of Jesus Christ?

Favorable……………………………………………….. 90%

Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 3%

Not sure …………………………………………………. 7%

Q6 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion

of Steve Jobs?

Favorable……………………………………………….. 62%

Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 10%

Not sure …………………………………………………. 28%

Q7 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion

of Abraham Lincoln?

Favorable……………………………………………….. 91%

Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 2%

Not sure …………………………………………………. 6%

Q8 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion

of Nelson Mandela?

Favorable……………………………………………….. 64%

Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 10%

Not sure …………………………………………………. 26%

Q9 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion

of Santa Claus?

Favorable……………………………………………….. 67%

Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 13%

Not sure …………………………………………………. 20%

Q10 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion

of yourself?

Favorable……………………………………………….. 93%

Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 1%

Not sure …………………………………………………. 5%

Q11 Would you describe yourself as very liberal,

somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat

conservative, or very conservative?

Very liberal ……………………………………………… 12%

Somewhat liberal …………………………………….. 15%

Moderate………………………………………………… 31%

Somewhat conservative……………………………. 24%

Very conservative ……………………………………. 19%

Q12 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.

Woman ………………………………………………….. 51%

Man……………………………………………………….. 49%

Q13 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican,

press 2. If you are an independent or identify

with another party, press 3.

Democrat ……………………………………………….. 41%

Republican……………………………………………… 36%

Independent/Other…………………………………… 23%

Q14 If you are Hispanic, press 1. If white, press 2.

If African-American, press 3. If other, press 4.

Hispanic…………………………………………………. 10%

White …………………………………………………….. 73%

African-American …………………………………….. 11%

Other……………………………………………………… 5%

Q15 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to

45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are

older than 65, press 4.

18 to 29………………………………………………….. 12%

30 to 45………………………………………………….. 28%

46 to 65………………………………………………….. 40%

Older than 65………………………………………….. 20%