Gallup: Bush's Approval Rating in Perspective (Most other presidents had worse low points)

Gallup News Service ^ | March 30, 2005 | Jeffrey M. Jones

[RWR8189]

PRINCETON, NJ -- Last week's CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll measured the lowest job approval rating of George W. Bush's presidency to date -- 45%, one point lower than his previous low. While not good news for Bush, there are some silver linings for him in that other presidents' lowest approval ratings were much lower and that Bush's average rating while in office remains among the most positive for recent presidents. Nevertheless, Bush's public support is significantly lower than support for all other two-term presidents at similar points in their second terms.

Gallup's March 21-23 poll, conducted during the controversy over government involvement in the Terri Schiavo case and in the midst of rising gas prices, found 45% of Americans approving and 49% disapproving of the way Bush is handling his job as president. Bush received a similar 46% approval rating and slightly higher 51% disapproval rating last May, following reports of abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers.

Even though Bush's approval rating has hit a personal low, it is still relatively high by historical standards when compared to other presidents at their low points. In fact, Bush's low rating is higher than the lows of all other recent presidents except John Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower. Four presidents hit bottom below the 30% approval level -- Harry Truman (23%), Richard Nixon (24%), Jimmy Carter (28%), and the elder George Bush (29%). Four others bottomed out below 40% -- Lyndon Johnson (35%), Gerald Ford (37%), Ronald Reagan (35%), and Bill Clinton (37%). Kennedy's low point was 56%; Eisenhower's, 49%.

[RWR8189]

Low Approval Ratings for Presidents, Gallup Polls
President	Low approval rating	Disapproval at time of low approval rating	Date of low approval rating
Truman	23%	61%	1951 Nov 11-16
	23%	67%	1952 Jan 6-11
Eisenhower	49%	33%	1960 Jul 16-21
Kennedy	56%	29%	1963 Sep 12-17
Johnson	35%	52%	1968 Aug 7-12
Nixon	24%	63%	1974 Jul 12-15
	24%	66%	1974 Aug 2-5
Ford	37%	39%	1975 Jan 10-13
	37%	43%	1975 Mar 28-31
Carter	28%	59%	1979 Jun 29-Jul 2
Reagan	35%	56%	1983 Jan 28-31
G.H.W. Bush	29%	60%	1992 Jul 31-Aug 2
Clinton	37%	49%	1993 Jun 5-6
G.W. Bush	45%	49%	2005 Mar 21-23

[RWR8189]

Gallup Ping

FReepmail me if you want to be on or off the list.

[Huck]

It wouldn't be surprising if the right brought his numbers down. Judging from comments I've seen on FR in recent days, probably a lot pro-lifers, when asked if they approved overall, would say no, because the president hadn't personally gone to FLA and reinserted the feeding tube himself. If someone had called me right after CFR was signed, no way could I have said I was satisfied with the president.

[LibertarianInExile]

"Nevertheless, Bush's public support is significantly lower than support for all other two-term presidents at similar points in their second terms."

How many of them tackled Social Security in their second term? Oh, that's right--NONE OF THEM.

If he addresses that redistributionist boondoggle even a little bit, he'll be a greater president than any of them.

[jackbenimble]

If someone had called me right after CFR was signed, no way could I have said I was satisfied with the president.

I think you are right. Calling the Minutemen Project vigilantes is not doing him any good either. The immigration threads on FR are all really busy and very critical of the President.

[cubreporter]

How many of them had so much on their plate as as President George W. Bush?????????????? His ratings are just fine.

[Huck]

Yep, and in the long run, low poll numbers on the right hurts him very little.

[DrDeb]

FYI . . .


GALLUP 'LOWEST' POLL RESULTS:
An analysis from http://www.rightwingnews.com/archives/week_2005_03_20.PHP#003642

"TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll has engaged in a bit of polling chicanery to try to make it appear as if Bush's poll numbers have dropped because of his handling of the Terri Schiavo tragedy. Here are the numbers:

"President Bush's approval rating has fallen to 45%, the lowest point of his presidency, according to a new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll.

The new poll found the largest drop for Bush came among men, self-described conservatives and churchgoers.

The finding, in a poll of 1,001 adults Monday through Wednesday, is a dip from 52% in a poll taken last week. Bush's previous lowest rating, 46%, was recorded last May."

The article then goes on to suggest that it's because Bush stood up for Terri Schiavo:

"Independent political analysts said the drop may reflect opposition to the White House and Congress intervening in the Terri Schiavo matter.

"You have to wonder if people didn't feel that the president and the Congress couldn't be spending their time working on Social Security and other problems," said Charlie Cook, editor of the non-partisan Cook Political Report."

But, if you keep reading you find out the real cause of the dip:

"The poll also found an increased number of Democrats. In this survey, 37% said they were Democrats and 32% said they were Republicans. Last week, 32% said they were Democrats and 35% said they were Republicans."

So Bush's numbers dropped 7% in a week. However, there were 5% more Democrats polled and 3% less Republicans. Had they used the same percentages as the week before, it's entirely possible Bush's polling numbers would have gone up just a bit.

It's also hardly a surprise that "the largest drop for Bush came among men, self-described conservatives and churchgoers" since all those groups tilt Republican and significantly less Republicans were polled.

What a bogus poll..."


Speaking of bogus polls . . .

ISN’T IT A LITTLE EARLY FOR BIANNUAL “DEMOCRATS WILL WIN FLORIDA” HYPE? [03/29 06:36 AM]
http://www.nationalreview.com/tks/tks.asp

"You get the feeling some folks will never believe Florida is a red state?

My DD blog, Oct. 28, 2004: Kerry up 18 in Florida!

CNN/USAT/Gallup, Oct. 30, 2004: Kerry 50 percent, Bush 47 percent.

Fox Opinion Dynamics poll, Oct. 31, 2004: Kerry 49 percent, Bush 44 percent.

Larry Sabato Nov. 1, 2004: The Crystal Ball predicts with low confidence that John Kerry will win Florida's 27 electoral votes.

Exit polls, Election Day 2004: Kerry 51, Bush 49."

YEP, THESE POLLSTERS WERE JUST SOOOOOOOOOOOOO ACCURATE . . .


PERHAPS WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING ONCE AND FOR ALL: 1.) ALL pollsters have agendas and manipulate their polls accordingly, and 2.) As the 2004 EXIT pollsters discovered, Democrats/liberals tend to seek out pollsters while Republicans/conservatives tend to AVOID pollsters!

[jackbenimble]

I disagree. I totally reject his guestworker program. I support his social security private accounts plan but I fear that if he wins that battle it will give him the political capital he needs to push through his shamnesty. I won't be calling my Senators on his behalf in support of Social Security. I'd prefer he have a miserable second term and that he become a lame duck. I'll only support him on judges.

[Doc Savage]

Why should other people's approval matter? Just do the right thing and damn your critics!

[deport]

For those that maybe interested in the numbers game

[GRRRRR]

Just WHY should we even be concerned about President Bush's poll numbers??? He isn't running for anything. He's stayed the course and the left wing SOB's can't stand it...they will continue to skew and wallow in their own bitter agony.

The filthy MSM at it again...when will they learn?

G

[woofie]

Keep your rationality to yourself..
Happy Easter

[deport]

He isn't running for anything.

---

Not elective but his strength [approval] may help him achieve some of his goals over the remaining course of his Presidency. Otherwise I have no idea why anyone would be concerned about his ratings, I'm not. Just offering a ping to some that may or may not be interested...

[deport]

Hi there woofie... Hope you and yours enjoyed the Easter season.

[LibertarianInExile]

How many of them had so much on their plate as as President George W. Bush?????????????

Well, arguably, all of them. But he's certainly DOING something USEFUL, as opposed to Clintonesque waffling, feeling up interns, and selling out American sovereignty.

[GRRRRR]

Oh I'm not complaining...it's just hysterical the MSM has their unders in a bunch...as usual...they just don't get it.

G

[deport]

Oh I'm not complaining...it's just hysterical the MSM has their unders in a bunch...as usual

---

I understand and agree with you completely.... They never will understand this President I don't believe.... maybe none of us really do.

[cubreporter]

Yes, he does do something. He's not a talker...he's a doer.

[woofie]

I spent Easter in that country which is underneath Texas... They have gotten smarter down there and now require all of our money not just most of it...Hope all is well with you