Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama are the only leaders among 16 global figures seen favorably by a majority of Americans, according to the latest Harris Poll.
Seventy-six percent of Americans have a good or very good opinion of the Catholic leader, while 68% see the Dalai Lama in the same light.
President Barack Obama dipped two points as 49% of Americans said they have a "good opinion," while UK Prime Minister David Cameron held steady at 45% while German Chancellor Angela Merkel ticked up two points to 43% favorability among Americans.
Obama, however, was seen as the most influential leader of the lot as 70% said he has a great deal or some influence in world affairs. That edged out Pope Francis (66%), Russian President Vladimir Putin (64%), David Cameron (58%), and Chinese President Xi Jinping (53%).
But Putin plunged 11 points to 11% favorability over the past year in the eyes of the American public, although the 64% who say Putin has a great deal or some influence in world affairs is up from 58% a year ago.
Mercurial North Korean President Kim Jung Un sits at 5% favorability, while 80% of Americans see him in a poor light. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani garners 8% favorability against 48% who have a negative view of him.
On the Israeli-Palestinian front, 37% of Americans have a good opinion of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu versus a 23% negative rating, while only 9% see Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas in a positive light against 41% who have a poor view of him.
Harris polled nearly 2,300 US adults from May 14-19.
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Rory Cooper, a veteran Republican operative and policy specialist, has joined Teneo’s Washington office as senior managing director in its strategy & communications practice.
Brian Fallon, who served as national press secretary for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential run, is signing on next month as Vice President’s Kamala Harris’ campaign communications director.
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