Forty-two percent (42%) of American voters know that Vladimir Putin was selected as Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 14% thought Al Gore won the award, 9% thought someone else was selected, and 35% were not sure.

However, Americans were not enamored with the selection. When asked who they would have selected, just 4% named Putin. Only 20% of American voters have a favorable opinion of the Russian leader while 59% have an unfavorable view. Twenty-one percent (21%) believed he has helped Russia while 43% say he has hurt the nation.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of voters would have selected Al Gore. Twenty-one percent (21%) said they would have voted for Condoleezza Rice and 13% named General David Petraeus.

As with just about anything in the political universe these days, there is a strong partisan divide.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Democrats would have selected Gore, 11% Rice, and 6% Putin.

Among Republicans, 40% would have voted for Rice, 27% for Petraeus, and 10% for Gore.

As for those not affiliated with either major party, 38% named Gore, 14% Rice, and 11% Petraeus.

Other surveys have found that Rice is viewed favorably by 57% of Americans and unfavorably by 38%. Gore’s numbers are 50% favorable and 48% unfavorable. Petraeus is less well known—24% favorable and 35% unfavorable.

Just 17% of American voters said they have Very Closely followed news stories about Time’s Person of the Year. Another 26% said they have followed the stories Somewhat Closely while 53% say they have not followed the stories.

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