The Hill News

Americans expect the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to have the most influence over the course of the country over the next two years, but they would prefer direction from President Obama, a poll released Wednesday found.

The CNN/Opinion Research poll  found that 50 percent of Americans think the Republican Party controlling the House is "good for the country" compared to 41 percent who say it is "bad for the country." The poll also found that 56 percent of Americans expect Republicans to have the most influence over the direction of the country for the next two years. But the poll found that a slight majority of Americans would rather have Obama wielding the most influence over the next two years, with 50 percent for Obama and 44 percent for the Republican Party.

By comparison, a 1995 CNN/Opinion Research found that 80 percent of Americans thought Republicans would have more influence and 49 percent would rather the influence come! from then-President Clinton. The 1995 poll found that 40 percent of Americans wanted President Clinton to have the most influence.

The same CNN/Opinion Research poll surveyed the favorability of Obama, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio.), Vice President Joe Biden, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Of the four, Clinton came out the leader, with 66 percent favorability. The poll found Obama with 56 percent, Biden with 47 percent, and Boehner with 45 percent.