So far, so good for Obama, poll indicates

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PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Americans approve of President-elect Barack Obama's including Sen. Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates in his cabinet, a Gallup poll indicates.

Results are based on a one-night poll conducted just after Obama announced his national security team, which includes Clinton as secretary of state and Gates remaining as Pentagon chief under the Obama administration, Gallup said.

The poll, released Tuesday, indicated 78 percent of Americans approve of the way Obama is handling his presidential transition, and 13 percent disapprove.

A frequent criticism of Obama's staff and Cabinet selections is that many held major roles under former President Bill Clinton and don't reflect the "change" Obama promised during the campaign, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said. However, Americans are see the Obama-Clinton link positively, with a majority believing Obama's government will be "more effective" with the former Clinton officials in key positions.

A majority of citizens said they favor a second economic stimulus package despite its predicted price tag of between $500 billion to $700 billion. Fifty-eight percent said they would favor such a measure while 33 percent said they would oppose it, the poll indicated.

Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews conducted Monday with 1,010 national adults. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.