Obama the 'most admired'

For the third straight year, President Barack Obama ranks as the man most admired by Americans, according to an annual USA Today-Gallup poll.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is the most-admired woman for the ninth year in a row, edging out former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and TV host Oprah Winfrey, as she did last year.

Obama has been the poll's most-admired man since his election in 2008. With 22 per cent backing, Obama leads his predecessors George W. Bush, with 5 per cent, and Bill Clinton, with 4 per cent.