Philadelphia, July 27 (RHC)-- The image of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, is at its lowest point in the 24 years of her national career just as the Democratic National Convention gets underway, according to a new poll.

Almost six in 10 Americans, or 57 percent, have an unfavorable view of Clinton, while only 38 percent have a favorable view of her, a Gallup poll has found.  Clinton’s unfavorability rating is similar to Americans' negative views of her opponent, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

“After launching her campaign last year and as her handling of e-mails while secretary of state became an increasingly public and controversial issue, Americans' views of Clinton began their downslide,” Gallup said.

Clinton is one of the best-known politicians in the U.S. but with an image that is as negative as it has ever been.  She has had nearly 25 years of national exposure as a first lady, a U.S. senator, secretary of state and now a presidential candidate.

Both Clinton's and Trump's unfavorable ratings are among the highest of any presidential candidate in recent U.S. history.  They are currently among the worst-rated presidential candidates of the last 70 years, according to a Gallup poll released earlier this month.