Clinton, Barbara Bush most admired first ladies

Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush are the two most popular first ladies in the last 25 years, according to a poll released Friday. 

According to a Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll, 27 percent choose Clinton — the first lady under Bill Clinton and a potential 2016 presidential candidate — as the one they admire most. Bush, the first lady under George H.W. Bush, has an equal amount of support. 

{mosads}Their appeal is bolstered by independents. Bush scores the highest among independents with 28 percent saying they admire her most. Clinton trails by a single digit. 

Among all adults, Michelle Obama trails shortly behind with 24 percent picking her as the most admired first lady. Laura Bush, first lady under George W. Bush, is most admired by 17 percent. 

Obama is the most favored among Democrats with 42 percent, with Clinton taking 39 percent. Barbara Bush is most popular among Republicans with 45 percent trailed by Laura Bush with 36 percent support. 

Previous polling has found Barbara Bush and Laura Bush with the highest favorable ratings. A Gallup poll from March showed Barbara Bush with a 77 percent favorable rating, while Laura Bush has a 73 percent rating. Obama had a 66 percent favorable rating, while Clinton had a 56 percent rating. 

The poll conducted April 23-27 of 1,000 adults has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.