The 20 most popular American politicians

A YouGov survey from the end of 2023 asked Americans about their thoughts on a list of 290 mostly contemporary politicians. For the results, a politician’s popularity is defined as the percentage of people who have a positive opinion of him or her, with their level of fame also taken into account. Spoiler: The number-one-ranked politician has just a 63% approval rating. Tough crowd.

Once a shoe-in to become the first female president, the former first lady and secretary of state is viewed positively by 39% of Americans, enough to get her to spot number 20.

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The recently passed American diplomat and politician, who served as secretary of state and national security advisor in the presidential administrations of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford between 1969 and 1977, is liked by 40% of Americans and disliked by 22%. In 1973 he won the Nobel Peace Prize alongside a member of the Vietnamese Communist Party for having jointly negotiated a cease-fire in Vietnam.

The former vice president, presidential candidate, and documentary filmmaker is also liked by 40% of Americans. Although he’s disliked even more than Kissinger, he is significantly better known, especially among younger demographics, which gives him a slight advantage on this list.

This retired Democratic politician was forced to retire after a severe brain injury suffered during an assassination attempt. Since the attack, she has become a passionate gun control activist. During the attack, 19 people were shot and six died. She is only known by 70% of Americans, but liked by 40% and disliked by just 14%.

The former president who led the country during the Sept. 11 attacks and subsequent invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan is liked by 41% of Americans and disliked by 26%. A highly polarizing figure during his reign, it seems like the anger against him has died down a bit since he’s retired to focus on painting.

Another Republican president, but Trump is much more polarizing than Bush. While 41% of Americans say they like him, 44% say they dislike him. However, he scores slightly higher than Bush because of his fame level of 98%. Hard to imagine the 2% who said they didn’t know who he was!

One of the most prominent Black conservatives in America, Carson was a candidate for president in the 2016 Republican primaries and served as the secretary of housing from 2017 to 2021. Besides his political credentials, in 1984 he also became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the United States. He’s liked by 42% of Americans and disliked by just 21%.

Just because they are polarizing doesn’t mean they don’t make the list. The former speaker of the house is liked by 42% of Americans and disliked by 36%. She is most popular within the Baby Boomer and female demographics.

This fiery young politician from New York is liked by 43% of Americans and disliked by 30%. Her biggest support comes from fellow Millenials, who rank her number eight in terms of popularity.

Although she died in 2022, Albright remains a well-known politician liked by 43% of Americans and disliked by just 15%. In 1997, she became the first woman to serve as secretary of state.

This progressive senator from Massachusetts ran as a presidential candidate in the 2020 Democratic primaries, where she came in third place. She is liked by 43% and disliked by 27% of Americans. Compared to past surveys, her popularity is waning.

The Kennedy who has abandoned the Democratic party to run as an Independent in the 2024 presidential election is liked by 43% of Americans and disliked by 27% – the same numbers as Elizabeth Warren. However, with his ongoing run and outspoken commentary around health issues, he is better known than her.

The current vice president of the US, this 59-year-old politician is liked by 46% of Americans but also disliked by a substantial 39%. If Joe Biden were to pass, she would become the first female president.

Formerly in the running to become president in the Democratic primary, “Mayor Pete” is currently serving as the secretary of transportation. He became one of the first openly gay men to launch a major presidential campaign and is liked by 47% of Americans. Less polarizing than some others, just 23% dislike him, according to the survey.

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With 48% of those surveyed saying they like him, the current US president is more popular than his rival in the upcoming elections, Donald Trump. Of course, he is disliked strongly by 33% of the voters, leaving just 17% indifferent.

According to this survey, 49% of Americans are still “feeling the Bern.” This outspoken politician, previously in the Democratic running to lead the country, is disliked by 27% of the population. Although he is an 82-year-old man, he is more popular among Gen Zs, Millennials and women.

The former US president had his fair share of scandals, but a slight majority of Americans say they like him. With a popularity of 51%, he is much more liked than his wife Hillary. Though, of course, 29% say they dislike him.

The 39th president of the US. Although he was only president for one term, losing to Ronald Reagan in a landslide in 1980, he is the oldest president to reach the highest position on this survey. In fact, his popularity is at 58%, with just 15% saying they dislike him.

The highest-rated Republican politician, 60% of Americans view the “Governator” positively and just 13% say they dislike him. While he is globally known as an actor and bodybuilder, who could forget his term as governor of California from 2003 to 2011?

Although he was certainly polarizing, America’s first Black president takes the number one spot. According to this poll, he is liked by 63% of Americans and disliked by 24%. Did you guess that one?