The informal survey also gave high marks to President Obama, the Armed Forces and the EPA for use of Facebook.
Countering the right-wing attack network that will throw any charge it can concoct at Obama is crucial to the president's overall mission of governing the nation well.
From the "Ground Zero mosque" to Glenn Beck, gays, abortion and the never-ending clergy sex scandal, religion took no holiday this year.
The six people the president picked can serve until late next year. All had been awaiting Senate confirmation for an average of 147 days.
Whether voters didn't fully understand all of Congress' accomplishments or simply didn't agree with the Democratic priorities, the party took a shellacking in the mid-term election.
The pundit may not have meant his remark about execution to be taken literally, but he said it with a straight face on national television.
The number of Americans who hope President Obama's policies will be a success has dropped significantly over the past year.
George W. Bush's secretary of state is diplomatic but frank in critiquing her fellow believers and their rhetorical excesses. She says, "I'm a devout Christian. But I'm not going to lecture you about it on a daily basis."
When Obama praised Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie for hiring the convicted dog abuser, was he commenting on redemption or eyeing Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes?
Obama's late father was born in Kenya and -- despite evidence to the contrary -- birthers claim the president too was born in Africa, or some other place outside the U.S.
It's easy to compile a best-of list for the past year. Here's one that tries to stay ahead of the game.
Sitting presidents have been number one on Gallup's "most admired men" lists in 52 of the 64 times it has done its survey, and President Obama is no exception. Michelle Obama ranked further down the women's list because of competition from Hillary Clinton among Democrats.
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