Go back
presidential approval tracker, 1946-present

presidential approval tracker, 1946-present

Debates

zeeblebot

silicon valley

Joined
27 Oct 04
Moves
101289
Clock
26 Oct 09
Vote Up
Vote Down

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/presidential-approval-tracker.htm

t
True X X Xian

The Lord's Army

Joined
18 Jul 04
Moves
8353
Clock
26 Oct 09
Vote Up
Vote Down

Is there something specific you wished to illustrate with that time series?

M

Joined
08 Oct 08
Moves
5542
Clock
26 Oct 09
2 edits
Vote Up
Vote Down

Some observations.

Every president (not counting Obama) on this graph had an approval rating of 67% or better at some point during their term in office.

And every president (except Eisenhower & Kennedy) had an approval rating of 37% or lower at some point during their term. The period of 1953-1966 was definitely an "Era of Good Feelings" - the president's approval got no lower than 48% during this period. Then came Vietnam.

And despite the perception that Obama came in with magically high level of approval - only Clinton had a lower level of initial approval than Obama's 65% (Nixon's level was similar to Obama's).

Truman's approval reached a depth (22% ) that not even W. was able to attain (24% ). But despite the the unpopularity of the Vietnam War, LBJ never sunk below 35%.

zeeblebot

silicon valley

Joined
27 Oct 04
Moves
101289
Clock
27 Oct 09
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by telerion
Is there something specific you wished to illustrate with that time series?
no, i just thought it was a cool graph. you can supply the debate if you want, or wait for someone else to.

zeeblebot

silicon valley

Joined
27 Oct 04
Moves
101289
Clock
27 Oct 09
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Melanerpes
Some observations.

Every president (not counting Obama) on this graph had an approval rating of 67% or better at some point during their term in office.

And every president (except Eisenhower & Kennedy) had an approval rating of 37% or lower at some point during their term. The period of 1953-1966 was definitely an "Era of Good Feelings" - the presi ...[text shortened]... in (24% ). But despite the the unpopularity of the Vietnam War, LBJ never sunk below 35%.
the perception of obama, and the perception of all the presidents, is filtered through the media before it gets to the public. thus the whipsawing.

kmax87
Republicant Retiree

Blade Runner

Joined
09 Oct 04
Moves
107170
Clock
27 Oct 09
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by zeeblebot
the perception of obama, and the perception of all the presidents, is filtered through the media before it gets to the public. thus the whipsawing.
Its interesting that Obama, Ford and Truman's popularity fell pretty much from the minute they took office, though Truman started with close to 90% and Ford with 70%. The others all raised their popularity above their initial level before any other movement in the polls. The other interesting bit of the graph is the long trend up with Clinton's popularity and the odd inflexion between his and dubyas popularity where at the handover it looks like the only drop in POTUS elect with POTUS incumbent. No doubt Florida had something to do with that.

M

Joined
08 Oct 08
Moves
5542
Clock
27 Oct 09
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by kmax87
Its interesting that Obama, Ford and Truman's popularity fell pretty much from the minute they took office, though Truman started with close to 90% and Ford with 70%. The others all raised their popularity above their initial level before any other movement in the polls. The other interesting bit of the graph is the long trend up with Clinton's popularity and ...[text shortened]... only drop in POTUS elect with POTUS incumbent. No doubt Florida had something to do with that.
The other interesting bit of the graph is the long trend up with Clinton's popularity

Seems like the mounting sex scandals just made him more popular. A lesson for Obama? 😀

kmax87
Republicant Retiree

Blade Runner

Joined
09 Oct 04
Moves
107170
Clock
27 Oct 09
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Melanerpes
Seems like the mounting sex scandals just made him more popular. A lesson for Obama? 😀
At the risk of being accused of something, I will say that both first ladies have a decidedly similar air of determination about them, and while it might be considered bad form to propose physical violence in one quarter were in the other stoic silence was the only reply, I wouldn't rate Bazza's chances in the aftermath of a smoking scandal too well. Mishka could well snap his spindly stick figure butt in two soon as look at him, so if he values life after popularity I would suggest the Marlbro man find something less titivating to spike his popularity.

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.