Poll: M. Obama, Clinton, Sotomayor winners

PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Americans have spoken: The top political winners of 2009 are Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Sonia Sotomayor, a Gallup poll indicated.

President Barack Obama also finished in the winner's circle in addition to the first lady, the secretary of state and the newest Supreme Court justice, results of the Gallup Poll released Monday indicated.

Michelle Obama has the broadest support with 73 percent of respondents calling her a "winner" in U.S. politics this year, while 21 percent said she was a "loser," the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said. Clinton's rating is nearly as positive.

Respondents reacted to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., whom half of all Americans identify as a political loser, Gallup said. More than half say the same of Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., who shouted "You lie" when Obama addressed Congress on healthcare, as well as South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, who is losing his wife after admitting to an affair and who is under a state ethics investigation.

Nearly half of Americans -- 46 percent -- call Sarah Palin a winner, but slightly more -- 49 percent -- call her a loser. About equal numbers of Americans call Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and radio talk host Glenn Beck winners and losers, Gallup said.

Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews with 1,025 national adults conducted Dec. 11-13. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.