Survey after survey shows that approximately one-third of New Yorkers have a negative opinion of Clinton, the New York Times said Saturday.

"The voters who disapprove of Clinton are numerous and unshakable, and they have been around so long that they have a name in political circles. Hillary haters."

The Times chalked up public angst about Mrs. Clinton to her ambition and liberal agenda.

"No one factor accounts for deep misgivings many voters express about Clinton, but to some degree it stems from a view that has taken hold, fairly or not, that she is a hugely ambitious woman with a liberal agenda that was most significantly illustrated in her efforts to overhaul the nation's health care system during her husband's presidency," the Times said.

While Mrs. Clinton has largely overcome that image with her constituents, outside New York the percentage of Hillary haters remains problematically high.

In a recent Marist College Institute for Public Opinion survey, roughly 4 of 10 Americans said they disapprove of her.

"There's work for her to do nationally," Marist poll director Lee Miringoff told the Times. "Beyond her appeal to the Democratic base, there is a need for her to build bridges to reach out to moderate Republicans and independent voters if she hopes to succeed."

Mrs. Clinton, however, remains undeterred.

Asked recently whether her divisive image has Republicans hoping that she becomes the Democrats' next presidential nominee, the former first lady told NBC's "Today" show, "We have a president who is quite polarizing - and very successful, I might add."

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