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Pew Releases "Final Verdict" on Bush
As Bush's reign of error winds down, his supporters are working hard to sugarcoat his legacy, first with the Bush legacy project, and then the "Speech Topper on the Bush Record." But as Karl Rove and Bill Kristol recently discovered when arguing against the motion "Bush 43 is the worst president of the last 50 years," it's an uphill battle.
Pew's "final verdict" shows that Americans aren't falling for these last-ditch efforts. That is to say, only 24 percent of Americans currently approve of the administration, down from a high of 86 percent following 9/11.
Here are a few highlights, including how George W. compares to Clinton, Bush Sr., and Reagan:
- Nearly three-quarters of 18-29 year olds disapprove of President Bush, the most of any age group.
- More than one-third of respondents believe that Bush will go down in history as a poor president, as compared to Clinton (11 percent), Bush Sr. (4 percent), and Reagan (5 percent). (The options were outstanding, above average, average, below average, poor, and don't know.)
- Approval of state and local government has declined 3 and 4 percent respectively since 2002. The federal government's favorability rating has fallen 36 percent.
- 83 percent of Democrats, 68 percent of Independents, and 33 percent of Republicans believe the Bush administration will be best known for its failures. In 2001, only 13 percent of Democrats, 27 percent of Independents, and 43 percent of Republicans said the same about Clinton.
- Blacks disapprove of Bush more than whites by a fairly wide margin, 83 to 64 percent. And women disapprove more than men, 70 to 65 percent.
- Interestingly, college graduates are slightly more approving of Bush than Americans with no college education.
The following partial quotes are from an article in the latest Time Magazine as it relates to Obama stepping up to the plate prior to his inaguration date...."That we have slightly more than one President for the moment is mostly a consequence of the extraordinary economic times. And yet this final humiliation seems particularly appropriate for George W. Bush. At the end of a presidency of stupefying ineptitude." This is a presidency that has wobbled between two poles ? overweening arrogance and paralytic incompetence, with incompetence winning hands down. Need I say that this administration owns the coveted title of ..."The Worst President in the History of the United States". Unfortunately when Obama finally has his hands on the "books", we will really find out how bad it is.
I thought I would make it through the Bush years and enter Obamas term with a sigh of relief. But I just missed by about a month. I couldn't escape the latest downsizing trend. I wonder now even more how Republicans, and those who vote for Republicans, can sleep at night knowing the destruction they have caused.
Happy Holidays every one!
Interesting about the college graduates. Who were they mostly? What percentage were white men, black women, young people? In the words of Mark Twain - There are three types of lies; lies, damn lies and statistics.
Nick, you and Mr. Twain make excellent points. You can read about the methodology of the study here. Also, the complete report (.pdf) is a good read. It's worth pointing out as well that Bush's approval dropped significantly (~25%) among all education levels. It's just slightly higher among college grads.
At least he didn't fool around with an intern. Phew!!!
The "lies" quote was originally Benjamin Disraeli.
Anyone who argues that is this slime bag of a president is deserving of any legacy "sugar coating" should either be shot or sent to Mosul to live with the citizens of Iraq. This scumbag has caused this nation great destruction, harm and definitely made it a more dangerous place to the contray of his "wistful" thinking. He DESERVES NO shelter or peace after he leaves office. May a billion pairs of shoes be thrown at this mangy dog!!
The following partial quotes are from an article in the latest Time Magazine as it relates to Obama stepping up to the plate prior to his inaguration date...."That we have slightly more than one President for the moment is mostly a consequence of the extraordinary economic times. And yet this final humiliation seems particularly appropriate for George W. Bush. At the end of a presidency of stupefying ineptitude." This is a presidency that has wobbled between two poles overweening arrogance and paralytic incompetence, with incompetence winning hands down. Need I say that this administration owns the coveted title of ..."The Worst President in the History of the United States". Unfortunately when Obama finally has his hands on the "books", we will really find out how bad it is.
Interesting figures about clinton, 2 bush and reagan in the chart you got here and I don't know where you got them but I must admit it, it's a good and interesting resource.
Twain is one of my favorite
Twain is one of my favorite writers! When I was in college, I took a semester-long course just on Twain. Bliss. BTW, Mark Twain was supposedly the first author to submit a typewritten manuscript (Life on the Mississippi - http://www.ebook-search-queen.com/ebook/Life/Life%20on%20the%20Mississippi.all.html ) to a publisher? Although he didn't type it himself--one of his hired lackeys typed it from his handwritten manuscript. But he was one of those enthusiastic "early adopters." Today, he would have been lining up for an iPhone.