Posted on 04/07/2002 9:53:47 PM PDT by anniegetyourgun
Reagan, Carter, Ford and Kennedy are seen in more positive light now than while in office; Nixon's and Johnson's retrospective ratings are worse
PRINCETON, NJ -- John F. Kennedy continues to have the highest retrospective job-approval rating of any of the last eight presidents, followed by Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson have the lowest retrospective approval ratings. Bill Clinton -- measured for the first time since leaving office -- ranks only sixth. Clintons retrospective approval rating is slightly lower than his overall average while he was in office, and considerably lower than his average over his second term, between 1997 and 2001.
These ratings are based on a question that asks Americans to indicate whether -- in retrospect -- they approve or disapprove of the way a president handled his job while he was in office.
Agree with you there. All most people under fifty know about Kennedy is he was assassinated, and what they see from the fawning NY press about Camelot. However, Kennedy did lower taxes, held a hard line against the Soviets, and backed the space program. Course, he did get into office through voter fraud, had the Bay of Pigs debacle, and engaged in near-Hillary nepotism by appointing his brother Attorney General. Kennedy was the first TV president, and the first that got votes off of his sex appeal.
Unfortunately, with (some) women voting the way they do, a swimsuit competition will definitely be part of the race for the Presidency from now on.
What do they mean by "only?" Are they surprised that it isn't higher? Somebody didn't do their push-polling homework.
-PJ
Who remembers Clinton most fondly? The divisions in this retrospective approval are very similar to those found while he was in office. Democrats and nonwhites are his strongest supporters, as are younger Americans. The groups least likely to say they approve are -- not surprisingly -- Republicans, those living in the Midwest, older Americans and whites.
Retrospective Approval: Bill Clinton |
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March 18-20, 2002 |
Kennedy is known for nothing positive. The only notable thing about his presidency besides be able to score with Hollywood actresses, is being assassinated.
Jimmy Carter was an utter failure, Today's problems with terrorism is his fault. His lack of a spine is what set the stage for terrorist to understand that when a democrat is in office, America is fair game.
Bill Clinton did NOTTA/ZILCH when terrorist attacked our military Base's and our embassy's for the entire time he was in office. His lack of a spine is what brought us 9/11 and the Clinton spinsters can say what they want, but the facts are there.
There has been a lot of Camelot type hoopla spawned by the press over Kennedy. Clearly most of the legend was created after his demise. Most conservative commentators steer clear of the topic, because there is no political advantage to throwing rocks at dead Presidents. It might be interesting to know what the truth was.
Don't know about that one, but Buffalo Springfields' "Retrospective" is still a great album!....(it's not FRieday yet, is it?)
FMCDH!
The two factors with the most influence are scandal (Clinton & Nixon) and negative war (Johnson). For the rest it is an image popularity contest. Had Kennedy not been killed, Reagan would likely top him. Carter was and is inept; an illustration of the Peter principle.
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