Poll shows Americans like Barack Obama best

NEW YORK – America likes Obama.

Barack Obama possesses the most likeable personality among the Democratic and Republican candidates seeking the White House, a national poll revealed Wednesday.

The latest Quinnipiac University poll showed 23 percent of American voters believe the Illinois senator is the most likeable, followed by 16 percent who list Hillary Clinton and 12 percent each who tap Rudy Giuliani and John Edwards.

Among female voters, the ex-first lady slightly edges Obama for the prized likability mantle, with 20 percent to his 19 percent. But among men – and, interestingly, among independent voters – Obama wallops Clinton in likability by more than 10 percent.

But likability only goes so far. With this poll, Clinton continues to cement her status as the front-runner, with 36 percent of Democratic voters saying they would pull the lever for her, compared with 21 percent for Obama and 9 percent for Edwards.

Clinton also eked out a 46 percent to 43 percent lead over Giuliani in a potential head-to-head matchup with the former mayor, who leads the GOP primary race with 28 percent.

The poll showed 48 percent of American voters have a favorable opinion of Clinton, while 43 percent do not. Although that’s the New York senator’s best score yet, the 43 percent unfavorable rating is the highest of any of the top presidential contenders.