Public reaction to Barack Obama's choices for his national security team was positive with 69 percent approving of the selection of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and 80 percent voicing approval of the decision to keep Robert Gates as Defense Secretary, according to a Gallup poll conducted Dec. 1. In mid-November, 57 percent backed the idea of choosing Clinton.

Gates' approval rating was the higher because he won plaudits from 89 percent of Republicans while Clinton was backed by only 40 percent of them.

Overall, 78 percent of Americans approve of the way Obama is handling his transition.

While there has been much made by the press, political observers and partisans about the high number of staff selections that have drawn on people from the Clinton administration, this is not resonating greatly as a an issue in the eyes of the public. Seventy-seven percent of Democrats say these choices will make Obama's team more effective, a view also held by a majority of independents. A plurality of Republicans say it will make no difference.

There is a sharp partisan divide about pushing through a large economic stimulus package. Democrats favor it 77 percent to 13 percent while Republicans oppose it 63 percent to 32 percent.

Forty-two percent of voters strongly approve of Barack Obama's performance as President-Elect while 19 percent strongly disapprove, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll published Nov. 30. If those who "somewhat" approve or disapprove are added to the numbers, Obama's favorable to unfavorable ratio is 63 percent to 34 percent.