The mythogrification of Reagan has reached the stage of demi-god...which is preposterous. How old were you when Reagan was president? Have you any idea as to how low Reagan's poll numbers were in his second term or how many "purist" conservatives were howling for his head, even during in his first term and saying that Reagan was "NO CONSERVATIVE" ?
And FWIW........Harry Truman, who most historians now claim was a fantastic president ( go figure ), had even lower favorable poll numbers.
Ronald Reagan was truly "the Great Communicator".
George W. Bush is renowned for his consistent ability to mangle a phrase.
Ronald Reagan was saddled with a mostly Democrat majority in the Congress throughout his 2 terms, but still managed to push through a large portion of his conservative agenda...mainly by taking his case directly to the American people.
George W. Bush has largely been blessed with a Republican majority, but has failed to expend much political capital effectively except on behalf of policies that Teddy Kennedy and John McCain seem to love.
I was in college. And yes the Iran -Contra hurt his numbers. BUT THEY NEVER GOT IN THE HIGH 20's or Low 30's.