A new Gallup Poll proves Americans basically “admire” anyone whose name they’ve heard on the teevee. As a result, the beloved power couple George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton take the top spots in the “male” and “female” categories — both with an unimpressive and unlucky 13%. MORE »

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In the words of a reader: “First Brad and Jennifer, then Nick and Jessica, and now this!” The Hotline reports:

CEO Gallup Jim Clifton wrote to employees: “We have chosen not to renew our contract with CNN. We have had a great relationship with CNN, but it is not the right alignment for our future. …. CNN has far fewer viewers than it did in the past, and we feel that our brand was getting lost and diluted.”

Ouch. Well, in response to news, CNN SVP Laurie Goldberg e-mailed a statement to the Hotline. Clifton’s statements “are not only unprofessional but in every respect untrue.” Clifton told CNN pres. Jim Walton “that the reason that Gallup wanted to end their partnership was that the CNN brand was so dominant that Gallup wasn’t getting the attention for the polls that they wanted.”

Translation:

Gallup: “You know, we’ve had some nice times with CNN. But it’s just not working. It didn’t help that CNN was just letting himself go, putting on a few extra pounds…”

CNN: “Oh, that’s ridiculous! Those extra pounds are pure muscle. You just couldn’t handle it when we’d go to parties together, and every woman in the room would be checking me out!”

The lovers’ quarrel continues, after the jump.

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