Poll: More Americans view George W. Bush positively than negatively for first time in 8 years

[Karee 4,191]

More Americans view former president George W. Bush positively than negatively for the first time in eight years, according to a new Gallup poll.

The survey released Tuesday shows Bush with a favorable rating among 49 percent of Americans, compared to a 46 percent unfavorable rating. The last time that positive split happened in a Gallup poll was in April 2005.

Bush, who opened in May the George W. Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University, has seen his positive ratings increase quite a bit since leaving office. And those improvements are across political parties.

In a March 2009 Gallup poll, the former president posted an overall favorable rating of 35 percent. That included 72 percent among Republicans, 29 percent among independents and 10 percent among Democrats.

The latest Gallup survey shows Bush’s favorable ratings with double digit increases across the board: 49 percent overall, 84 percent among Republicans, 46 percent among independents and 24 percent among Democrats.

“The improvement is not unexpected, though, given Americans’ generally positive views of former presidents,” Gallup poll analyst Jeffrey Jones wrote about the survey. “It would not be out of the question for Bush’s image to continue to improve in future years.”

That being said, Bush still lags behind his fellow ex-presidents in Gallup’s popularity ratings.

Bill Clinton received a 69 percent favorable rating in August 2012, the last time his popularity was measured. Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush posted 69 percent and 62 percent favorable ratings, respectively, the last time their image was polled in early 2007.

The most recent Gallup survey, conducted June 1-4, has an error margin of plus-or-minus 3 percentage points. (Hat tip to Politico for posting the survey results.)

Source:

http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/06/poll-more-americans-view-george-w-bush-positively-than-negative-for-first-time-in-8-years.html/

Edited June 11, 2013 by Karee

[JohnR! 5,495]

To be sure, W was as positive for the US as the iceberg to Titanic!

[Karee 4,191]

5 years of Obama can even make Bush look good.

[JohnR! 5,495]

5 years of Obama can even make Bush look good.

Just like the TV commercial says: It is like it never even happened!

[RGinWA 816]

Yeah, he's a sweetheart.

Even after 4 years of GOP attacks on Obama, they'll never equal the blunders by W.

His administration allowed the largest terrorist attack on US soil and then attacked the wrong country...I mean really.

[Darnell 8,479]

Please understand - this poll is done monthly or quarterly (depending on the year) since Bush left office.

He keeps trying, hoping folk will think 'better' of him.

[GandD 5,966]

5 years of Obama can even make Bush look good.

Cmon, nealy all of the surveilance stuff began with 911 and the Patriot act.

Please understand - this poll is done monthly or quarterly (depending on the year) since Bush left office.

He keeps trying, hoping folk will think 'better' of him.

He's a painter now

[Karee 4,191]

Cmon, nealy all of the surveilance stuff began with 911 and the Patriot act.

Where's all this change Obama promised? I feel like I've been lied to... again. Obama's new policies make the Patriot Act look like small potatoes.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Cmon, nearly all of the surveillance stuff began with 911 and the Patriot act.

When Obama took office the Democrats controlled both houses and the oval office. They don't get to whine about previous administrations for policies they chose to keep or expand.

[GandD 5,966]

When Obama took office the Democrats controlled both houses and the oval office. They don't get to whine about previous administrations for policies they chose to keep or expand.

This is true. In fact they did very little. Say what you want about republicans, they get stuff done.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Yeah, he's a sweetheart.

Even after 4 years of GOP attacks on Obama, they'll never equal the blunders by W.

His administration allowed the largest terrorist attack on US soil and then attacked the wrong country...I mean really.

How come in Liberal Logic bizzaro World GWB had been president only 9 months and OSBL had been attacking the USA for years but it was still totally his fault

But 5 years into Obamers Office everything is still Bushs fault to you Libanistas. Odd how that works. By your standards clearly 9-11 was Clintons fault.

How come if we occupied the wrong Country Obama continues to fight that war ?

Bush's fault right LOL

[Darnell 8,479]

Where's all this change Obama promised? I feel like I've been lied to... again. Obama's new policies make the Patriot Act look like small potatoes.

Yes, we've all been lied to.

<EOM>

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Where's all this change Obama promised? I feel like I've been lied to... again. Obama's new policies make the Patriot Act look like small potatoes.

Hater Obama brought change

He promised to cut taxes to 95% of the people

He promised to close Gitmo

He promised to not let former Lobbyist serve in his administration

Lower the National debt

end our dependance on foreign oil

Have the most transparent administration ever. I agree on this they are very transparent.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

W has largely remained out of sight for the past 4+ years. What's not to like? The more we don't see him, the better we like him.

[GandD 5,966]

Where's all this change Obama promised? I feel like I've been lied to... again. Obama's new policies make the Patriot Act look like small potatoes.

So the frustration is that he didn't go in as different direction from bush as possible? Agreed. In fact, it looks like nothing was changed from the immediate post 911 mandate. Now it's becoming the standard.