Breaking News: JFK and Reagan still popular; Nixon still disliked.

[Keystone Phil]

Gallup's Approval Ratings for Past Presidents - http://www.gallup.com/poll/145064/Kennedy-Highest-Rated-Modern-President-Nixon-Lowest.aspx


George W. Bush is at 47% approval.

[LBJ Revivalist]

=/ Depressing.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I expect W's to continue to rise.

[Franzl]

I expect W's to continue to rise.

But what did he really do that one can approve of? Haven't quite understood that. I mean, yeah, ther DEMs play the Bush card anywhere they can, often dishonestly....but it's one thing to not hate the man, but a totally different one to actually approve of him.

[Keystone Phil]

I expect W's to continue to rise.

As it should  but while I like the guy, I don't think he was much more than a "good" President. I'd rather have a ton of people think he was spectacular as opposed to being "the worst President ever" though.

[Franzl]

I expect W's to continue to rise.

As it should  but while I like the guy, I don't think he was much more than a "good" President. I'd rather have a ton of people think he was spectacular as opposed to being "the worst President ever" though.

I don't quite understand how a fiscal conservative can consider him a "good" President either. Doesn't mean you have to hate him.

[Ebowed]

I don't quite understand how a fiscal conservative can consider him a "good" President either.

Fiscal conservatism is irrelevant when you are fighting terrorists.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I expect W's to continue to rise.

But what did he really do that one can approve of? Haven't quite understood that. I mean, yeah, ther DEMs play the Bush card anywhere they can, often dishonestly....but it's one thing to not hate the man, but a totally different one to actually approve of him.

Franzl, there are several factors, all of them subjective, of course, so expect to hear I'm full of it:

1) People are starting to forget Iraq (sadly), and Obama's not helping matter by bumbling Afghanistan/GITMO/DADT and so forth, so the focus is steering away from W on this stuff.

2) Past President's who aren't dickheads become more popular.  W has been a gem of a Past President given how Obama and the Dems invoke his name daily.

3) Even if you hate him as a President he's a pretty endearing fellow personally.  I've watched his book tour interviews on CSPAN and he doesn't hesitate to say he f'd up a lot.  He comes off as sincere, sometimes even as an ole statesman.

4) People are starting to blame Obama for the economy now more than W.

5) Time heals a lot and he has time on his side..

He'll surpass Carter.......nothing more than that......and he's not far from there now.

[Keystone Phil]

I expect W's to continue to rise.

As it should  but while I like the guy, I don't think he was much more than a "good" President. I'd rather have a ton of people think he was spectacular as opposed to being "the worst President ever" though.

I don't quite understand how a fiscal conservative can consider him a "good" President either. Doesn't mean you have to hate him.

That's a major reason why I only think he was "good." There's more to being President than just concern over fiscal issues.

[All Along The Watchtower]

I expect W's to continue to rise.

As it should  but while I like the guy, I don't think he was much more than a "good" President. I'd rather have a ton of people think he was spectacular as opposed to being "the worst President ever" though.

I don't quite understand how a fiscal conservative can consider him a "good" President either. Doesn't mean you have to hate him.

That's a major reason why I only think he was "good." There's more to being President than just concern over fiscal issues.

Name three good things George W Bush did.

[bgwah]

I guess 47% seems high until you realize its the lowest after Nixon. Clinton is at 69%!

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I guess 47% seems high until you realize its the lowest after Nixon. Clinton is at 69%!

Yeah, that number does suck, bgwah

Rasmussen Obama (National)

Approve 47%, +1.

Disapprove 53%, -1. 

"Strongly Approve" is at 28%, +2.  "Strongly Disapprove" is at 41%, -1.

[memphis]

I guess 47% seems high until you realize its the lowest after Nixon. Clinton is at 69%!

Yeah, that number does suck, bgwah

Rasmussen Obama (National)

Approve 47%, +1.

Disapprove 53%, -1. 

"Strongly Approve" is at 28%, +2.  "Strongly Disapprove" is at 41%, -1.

You can't compare current approvals to former presidents. It's an entirely different thought process. No way JFK, or Reagan, or Clinton would get those numbers while in office. I like how they forgot Ford.

[bgwah]

I guess 47% seems high until you realize its the lowest after Nixon. Clinton is at 69%!

Yeah, that number does suck, bgwah

Rasmussen Obama (National)

Approve 47%, +1.

Disapprove 53%, -1.  

"Strongly Approve" is at 28%, +2.  "Strongly Disapprove" is at 41%, -1.

Obviously the numbers tend to increase dramatically after one's Presidency ends. Even Carter is in the 50s, despite having left office with it in the 30s.

But go ahead and think you're witty & clever.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I guess 47% seems high until you realize its the lowest after Nixon. Clinton is at 69%!

Yeah, that number does suck, bgwah

Rasmussen Obama (National)

Approve 47%, +1.

Disapprove 53%, -1.  

"Strongly Approve" is at 28%, +2.  "Strongly Disapprove" is at 41%, -1.

Obviously the numbers tend to increase dramatically after one's Presidency ends. Even Carter is in the 50s, despite having left office with it in the 30s.

But go ahead and think you're witty & clever.

Uh, bgwah, I only wrote what The Politico wrote.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I expect W will rise to the mid-50s or low 60s before he's finished. Obama's actions certainly help him, as well as the tremendous class he's shown since leaving office like refusing to criticize Obama. It certainly makes past Democratic President like Clinton and Carter look like jacka$$es in comparison.

Bush wasn't a great President by any means, but he's far from the worst ever. I think many people are beginning to realize a lot of the things that happened under his watch could not be avoided regardless of who was in office at the time.

[The Mikado]

There's a natural tendency for people to improve in hindsight, a "grass is greener" sort of thing.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

another 9/11 type of attack and W goes up 30 points, while Carter goes down another 15

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I expect W will rise to the mid-50s or low 60s before he's finished. Obama's actions certainly help him, as well as the tremendous class he's shown since leaving office like refusing to criticize Obama. It certainly makes past Democratic President like Clinton and Carter look like jacka$$es in comparison.

Bush wasn't a great President by any means, but he's far from the worst ever. I think many people are beginning to realize a lot of the things that happened under his watch could not be avoided regardless of who was in office at the time.

I never loathed Bush to the extent that many did around here, while I disagreed with him on pretty much everything except immigration, he always seemed personable.

But policy wise
* Iraq, just the entire mess (I've always said, if Iraq turns out for the better, I'll be the first to congratulate him, regardless of the fact it was illegal and never should have happened)

* The handling of Katrina

* Advocating the gay-marriage C/Amendment - a) I don't believe the constitution is the place for such a thing b) it's using the constitution to deny something to a legitimate minority.... something wrong there...

*  Only supporting sex-education and HIV funding in Africa if it were based on abstinence... f**kwit!!

* Dramatically cutting taxes, then undertaking two expensive Wars, and not scaling those cuts back... so it's like taking a massive pay cut, while at the same time ramping up spending... it's stupid.

.......... so yes.

[Landslide Lyndon]

another 9/11 type of attack and W goes up 30 points, while Carter goes down another 15

Book of Apocalypse?

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

another 9/11 type of attack and W goes up 30 points, while Carter goes down another 15

Book of Apocalypse?

No, rather Poll of Gallup.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

another 9/11 type of attack and W goes up 30 points, while Carter goes down another 15

Book of Apocalypse?

No, rather Poll of Gallup.

I get why W's would go up... but Carter?

Because you think he's an apologist and would go down??

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

another 9/11 type of attack and W goes up 30 points, while Carter goes down another 15

Book of Apocalypse?

No, rather Poll of Gallup.

I get why W's would go up... but Carter?

Because you think he's an apologist and would go down??

Because he is weak.  Carter's already down 9 since the last time this poll was taken. 

[Oakvale]

I expect W will rise to the mid-50s or low 60s before he's finished. Obama's actions certainly help him, as well as the tremendous class he's shown since leaving office like refusing to criticize Obama. It certainly makes past Democratic President like Clinton and Carter look like jacka$$es in comparison.

Bush wasn't a great President by any means, but he's far from the worst ever. I think many people are beginning to realize a lot of the things that happened under his watch could not be avoided regardless of who was in office at the time.

I hope not. If George W. Bush - George W. Bush - is in the low 60s ever again the planet is doomed.

[Landslide Lyndon]

another 9/11 type of attack and W goes up 30 points, while Carter goes down another 15

Book of Apocalypse?

No, rather Poll of Gallup.

I thought that devout Christians usually disapprove the use of crystal balls.