by Frank James
It looks like President Bush has achieved a historical mark but it's certainly one he could have done without.
Gallup says Bush's 69 percent disapproval rating is the highest it's ever recorded in history.
That's right, his disapproval rating even surpasses that of President Richard Nixon at the height of Watergate.
But while Bush has the highest negative ratings Gallup has ever recorded for a president, he doesn't have the lowest positives. President Harry Truman had a 23 percent favorable rating. Bush isn't far from that at 28 percent but he still can hang onto the fact that he has higher approval ratings than Truman.
Gallup explains that seeming inconsistency between approval and disapproval ratings thusly:
President Bush's approval rating now is at 28%, which ties for the lowest of his administration, but is not the lowest in Gallup Poll history. Harry Truman reached a 23% approval rating in 1951 and in 1952, and Richard Nixon had two 24% job approval scores in 1974.
In other words, although Bush's disapproval rating is the highest in Gallup history, his approval rating is not the lowest. This seeming anomaly is mostly because of differences over the years in the percentage of respondents who say "don't know/no opinion" when asked to rate a president.
Harry Truman's two 23% approval ratings were accompanied by 61% and 67% disapproval ratings, leaving 16% and 10% of those interviewed who did not offer an opinion about his job performance. Richard Nixon's two 24% job approval ratings in 1974 were paired with 63% and 66% disapproval ratings, leaving 13% and 10% with no opinion.
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Comments
It should be lower. His incompetence knows no bounds. Maybe, he will leave for Crawford early, on second thought, he would be replaced by someone, almost, as incompetent as he is!! Complete your term, Mr. President and then, ride off into oblivion!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 22, 2008 3:53 PM
Move over Hoover and Harding!
The Mount Rushmore of Presidential DimWits has a new Commander-in-Chief.
Bush was ready on Day One for this title. Sadly, the SCOTUS gave it to him anyway. A day that will live in infamy.
http://blog.reidreport.com/uploaded_images/mccain_bush-hug-713122.jpg
Posted by: John E | April 22, 2008 3:59 PM
"TOP 5% WEALTHIEST SPEAK"
LESS US HE IS AT 24%, LESS THE MIDDLE TOP 5% HE IS AT 19%. LESS THE BOTTOM 90% HE IS AT 1% ND DEFINITELY ON HIS WAY OUT.
IT'S THE POPULAR VOTE!
IT'S A BLACK PHENOMINOM!
IT'S ALL THAT "TEXTING"
IT'S ALL THAT IPODING
IT'S ALL THOSE INTERNETS
IT'S THOSE SUPERDELEGATES!
IT'S THE "TRADITIONAL VALUES COALITION"
IT'S ALL THAT ACLU STUFF
IT'S THE GEEK SQUADS FAULT, THEY ERASED ALL MY PRESIDENTIAL ARCHIVES.
THEY ERASED ALL OF DICK CHENEY'S EMAILS.
THEY ERASED "KARL ROVES" BLACKBERRYS
IT'S THE PURGING OF ALL MY U.S. ATTORNEYS
IT'S RICK RE NZI, RE NZI AND ALL THOSE WIRE TAPS.
IT'S BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE IMMUNITY AND PROTECTION LIABILITY AND AT&T ARE MOVING 1300 JOBS BECAUSE THEY GOT TO GET OVERSEAS QUICKLY WITH THE REST OF THE AMERICAN TREARSURY!
POLLS SMOLLS, I DON'T CARE ABOUT POLLS. I'M THE DECIDER, I DECIDED TO FABRICATE AND TORTURE!
FORGET THE 80% OF AMERICANS 19% IS GOOD NUMBER ON THE WAY OUT.
I'M A "SHORT TIMER" BUT CAN YOU PASS "CAFTA" NOW PLEASE! WE FAILED ON IMMIGRATION, WE CAN'T FAIL ON THOSE IMMIGRANTS!
Posted by: Roger Morris | April 22, 2008 4:07 PM
But history will view him in kinder terms:
http://extras.sltrib.com/bagley/Archive.asp?Vol=content&Num=2
Posted by: dt | April 22, 2008 4:11 PM
I believe GWB is at heart a good and honorable man. However he has been a major disapointment as President. He is not a a leader who was able to inspire the country. I think that we got just what we asked for and deserved. We cannot afford another 4-8 years of uninspired leadership.
Posted by: Thomas | April 22, 2008 4:37 PM
I wonder if this will affect his twin brother..McBush?
Posted by: bill r. | April 22, 2008 5:01 PM
Yes, we got someone who wasn't afraid to make tough decisions, like Truman. Harry just put an end to WWII. GW put an end to Saddam and sent Al-Qaeda on the run. Tough decisions, but someone had to do it. After all we waited and waited for Bill Clinton to do something but the attacks kept coming.
Posted by: Mike | April 22, 2008 5:03 PM
"It's difficult to run a race against someone who doesn't have a clue." - Governor Ann Richards, 1994
...We were warned. Maybe we Americans should have listened?
Posted by: joyce anderson | April 22, 2008 5:11 PM
I just want someone who can get us back on track and lead!!!! McCain, McClinton, or McBarack!!!! Just no more of the Bush clan!!
Posted by: Thomas | April 22, 2008 5:14 PM
Please do not even attempt to blame Clinton for the mess we are in. WAKE UP!!!!! This mess needs to be put at the doorstep of Mr Bush!!!! Can you with a straight face say that Bush was even a average President?
Posted by: Thomas | April 22, 2008 5:25 PM
Tough decisions, but someone had to do it. After all we waited and waited for Bill Clinton to do something but the attacks kept coming.
Posted by: Mike | April 22, 2008 5:03 PM
I always love it when the flat earth 28%er's of the Republic Party stand up and raise their hands on here...
Posted by: John E | April 22, 2008 5:33 PM
"Mike" conveniently forgets that we were also attacked under bush1 and ronnie rayguns, and they did just as much as his anti-hero clinton. Ah, how easily the right wing amnesia sets in.
Posted by: rncbs | April 22, 2008 5:35 PM
GW put an end to Saddam and sent Al-Qaeda on the run.
Posted by: Mike | April 22, 2008 5:03 PM
Yes...you just can't imagine how hard of a decision it is to put Al-Qaeda on the run when they weren't there to begin with.
Posted by: bill r. | April 22, 2008 5:37 PM
A richly deserved landmark for the President. Well on his way to securing his ultimate title: worst President in all of US history!
Posted by: Tom in California | April 22, 2008 5:41 PM
Posted by: rncbs | April 22, 2008 5:35 PM
Now you're not being fair to Reagan. He gave the Iranians weapons and begged them to please, please, please, stop kidnapping americans. He brought appeasement to a whole new level. That's doing alot!
Posted by: Michael | April 22, 2008 5:46 PM
....So overall Mike you are pleased with how he has lead this country?
Posted by: Thomas | April 22, 2008 5:48 PM
hillary's negatives are record high for a candidate - at 49% - and she is not the leader of a country at war (like bush and truman) - but she DID vote FOR the war and she is taking money from the SAME donors that put Bush in office - Bush isn't running this time - Hillary is the closest thing to Bush in this Race - by far
Posted by: clinton equals bush | April 22, 2008 6:04 PM
GWB isnt going to crawford tx when he is thru, he and the cheneys, etal, are heading for the Disneyland in the ocean, Dubai. To be with their Arabian friends.
THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE FELONS, He has trashed the best buddy system in the world.Imagine being in a fox hole and relying on the guy behind you, the sex offender.
Posted by: bronellione | April 22, 2008 6:18 PM
And of course we all now what a rotten president Harry Truman was.
Boy, polls are SO important!
I notice that Congress's ratings are not included.
So I looked them up.
CONGRESS IS AT A 21% APPROVAL RATING and a 71% DISAPPROVAL RATING
WHY DOES THE TRIBUNE HIDE THIS?
Posted by: Dan C | April 22, 2008 6:28 PM
how can anyone support Bush at this point? What does he have to do? Accidently bomb his own country? Oh, wait. He's already done that figuratively speaking. I still dont understand why people voted for him in the first place. I knew he was a total idiot from day one. Did anyone even watch him in the Presidental debates?
Posted by: michael | April 22, 2008 6:39 PM
Bush legacy at this point:
The good:
1) No terrorist attacks since 9-11.
2) Thousands of terrorists and much of the leadership of al Qaeda killed or captured.
3) Removal of 2 brutal regimes – Saddam & the Taliban, ending UN sanctions (previously killing thousands every month), countless human rights violations, and Oil-for –food.
4) Confiscation of Libya WMDs.
5) Limited advancement of North Korean and Iranian WMD programs.
6) End of the AQ Kahn nuclear network.
7) Decent economy despite being handed a recession, and 9-11.
8) Record tax revenues after tax cuts.
9) Medicare prescription drug plan a success, despite a rocky start. 24 million enrolled, and running 40% below projected cost.
10) Teen drug use down 25% in last 6 years.
11) Abortions down and stem cell policies encouraging research breakthroughs.
12) Judge appointments.
13) Stepping up support for AIDs in Africa with PEPFAR, the most ambitious international health initiative in American history, saving the lives of 1.5 million (and counting) in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
14) Malaria Initiative
15) Northwest Hawaiian Islands National Marine Reserve – larger than all other U.S. national parks combined.
The not so good:
1) Not controlling spending.
2) Poor initial strategies managing the “peace” in Iraq.
3) Poor political response to Katrina (even though the local response is what caused the major issues).
4) Bush-Kennedy NCLB – good intentioned, but not an efficient way to improve education.
5) Looming Social Security problem unresolved.
6) Limited progress with healthcare.
7) Limited progress with immigration.
8) Too many breaks for Big Oil.
9) Darfur
10) White House public relations.
Posted by: MyTake | April 22, 2008 6:57 PM
CONGRESS IS AT A 21% APPROVAL RATING and a 71% DISAPPROVAL RATING
WHY DOES THE TRIBUNE HIDE THIS?
______________________________
It is the republicans dragging down the congressional ratings. The Trib is just trying to help them out.
Posted by: rncbs | April 22, 2008 7:36 PM
Take it easy on the spin, you're getting dizzy, with your facts. Bush's legacy will be, at least 4000 dead and 50,000 maimed, Bin Laden still running around Afghanistan, with more Iraqi recruits than he knows what to do with!!! I won't even bother to discuss the shambles he has left our economy. It is a very tiresome exercise in futility! History will wonder what was in the drinking water in those days!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 22, 2008 11:39 PM