A Short History of Presidential Approval Ratings

Presidential approval ratings were first introduced in the 1930s by George Gallup.

You might ask, "What U.S. President has the all-time lowest poll approval rating?"

The answer: President Harry S. Truman.

Surprised? You probably thought that the answer is President George W. Bush. In reality, Bush is only at #3 in all-time lowest approval ratings. 

Harry S. Truman

In February 1952, Truman's approval rating was at 22% from a public that was tired of the Korean War and outraged at his order to break a steelworkers strike by seizing the factories. He also had the lowest sustained approval ratings. During the last three years of his second term, Truman's approval rating never went above the low thirties.

George W. Bush

Like Truman, during the current two years of his second term in office (as of April 2007), Bush's approval rating has yet to move above the low thirties. No other presidents have had longer periods of unpopularity than Bush and Truman.

However, since Truman is now considered by many historians to be one of the greatest American presidents, it has been said that Bush takes this to heart, hoping that historians will be kinder to his legacy in the future.

The comparisons between the second terms of both of these presidents are almost eerie. Both lost their own parties' control of Congress. Both started and unflinchingly backed an unpopular war.

Unlike Truman, President George W. Bush also holds the record high approval rating, over 93%. This occurred shortly after the September 11th attacks.

Richard Nixon

Nixon's 23% approval rating during the Watergate scandal is still second to Truman's 1952 low of 22%.

Jimmy Carter

George W. Bush is tied with President Jimmy Carter for third lowest approval rating at 28%. Carter's popularity hit the skids during the Iranian hostage crisis and resultant gas station lines.

John F. Kennedy

Only JFK spent an entire term in office without his approval rating dropping below 50%. At one point, his highest rating was 80%.

Bill Clinton

Clinton's approval rating, strangely enough, only rarely and barely dipped below 50% even during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

George H.W. Bush