George W. Bush is now the most unpopular president in recorded American history.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

George W. Bush's overall job approval rating has dropped to a new low in American Research Group polling as 78% of Americans say that the national economy is getting worse according to the latest survey from the American Research Group.

Among all Americans, 19% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 77% disapprove. When it comes to Bush's handling of the economy, 14% approve and 79% disapprove.

Among Americans registered to vote, 18% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 78% disapprove.

That is just mind-blowing. How does it compare to other presidents? There's no comparison.

Nixon, as he was hounded out of office in August 1974, never dipped below the mid-20s.

Here's a pretty good compilation of poll numbers from Roper. To summarize the highlights:

Clinton low: 36 percent, May 1993 (early missteps like Zoe Baird)

George H.W. Bush low: 29 percent, August 1992 (recession)

Reagan low: 35 percent, January 1983 (recession)

Carter low: 28 percent, July 1979 (high gas prices)

Ford low: 37 percent, January 1975 (economy, Nixon pardon)

Nixon low: 23 percent, January 1974 (Watergate)

Johnson low: 35 percent, August 1968 (Vietnam)

Lowest ever? That would be Harry Truman during the Korean War, in February 1952, at 22 percent.

And so now George W. Bush has shattered a record that has stood for 55 long years, and there's not any one reason. It's everything, although I suspect that liberals would more likely say Iraq and torture, conservatives would say immigration and runaway spending, and everyone would now say the economy.

It takes more than unpopularity to become the worst president ever, but this may be the straw that broke the camel's back on that front. It should remind us all what the 2008 election is all about, and it's not about Hillary's wardrobe or an off-the-cuff remark or who is the Second Coming of Ronald Reagan.

It's only about who can undo the damage of the last eight years. It's amazing so many people wanted such a difficult task.

http://www.attytood.com/2008/02/worse_than...ush_scor_1.html

[Dan J 277]

I'm not sure thats a record to be proud of, but at least he will be out in less than a year.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

i bet bush haters all over the usa are having an orgasm over this story.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

i bet bush haters all over the usa are having an orgasm over this story.

I guess the Bush supporters feel pretty lonely now.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

i bet bush haters all over the usa are having an orgasm over this story.

I guess the Bush supporters feel pretty lonely now.

not likely.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Its amazing how much damage the Bush adminstration has done - not just on the domestic US stage, but internationally as well.

He's shown himself to be incoherent and inarticulate in public situations, leading people to question his intelligence. He's lowered the bar so low, that people are used to the idiotic stuff he says and it simply isn't shocking anymore.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Who here still thinks Bush has done a good job as President?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Leaving aside his administration - you need only look at the things Bush has tried to do himself to see how politically inept he is. Everything he has taken on himself, personally, and dug his heels in on has been a flaming disaster.

Immigration

Stem Cell Research

Harriet Myers & the Supreme Court nomination.

[PlatyPius 5]

i bet bush haters all over the usa are having an orgasm over this story.

I guess the Bush supporter

s

feels pretty lonely now.

Fixed that for ya....

i bet bush haters all over the usa are having an orgasm over this story.

i did. it was good.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

i bet bush haters all over the usa are having an orgasm over this story.

i did. it was good.

does mags know she's been replaced by news stories?

[PlatyPius 5]

well, she was at work.....

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

i bet bush haters all over the usa are having an orgasm over this story.

I guess the Bush supporter

s

feels pretty lonely now.

Fixed that for ya....

No, no. There's more than one. The Bush fan club meets weekly. In a phone booth.

[Jaseball 0]

What is amazing is Bush was re-elected. He's a two term president and regardless of what the guy has done he always did it his way; sometimes to the dismay of the nation.

Also, congress is as much to blame. Some of the things they did, such as supporting the Patriot act, granting new powers, etc., are why Bush got to do as much damage. The legislative branch should have checked him more and blocked him, but they granted him free reign.

Also if Bush exits office without a major terrorist act taking place in the US he can always claim that after 9/11 his main goal was to prevent that sort of act on American soil and regardless of polls and such he did what he felt was right and there was no major terrorist act in the US during his term.

People can blame the president all they want, but fact of the matter is our society is to blame. American's who drive SUV's at 90+ mph, weaving in and out of traffic as the only passenger. People who made $30K or less who locked themselves into interest only variable rate loans they could barely support, then taking out 'equity,' loans. People who live off credit and live beyond their means. American corporations selling out our workers and our country. Corrupt wall street financial types who made up all sorts of bundled debt that nobody can correctly value.

Can we really blame Bush for this sort of societal problem? Do we really think any incoming President can change things in 4-8 years to turn things around? I doubt it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Of course when talking about Congress weren't the Democrats in a significant minority through most of GWB's presidency?

That's not to say they are wonderful or anything, but still...

Edited February 21, 2008 by Number 6

[simple_male 1]

Who here still thinks Bush has done a good job as President?

I am sure, some still think Bush has done a fabulous job. Of course, I think the opposite.