Why George W. Bush is more popular than President Obama (+video)

CPT Ahmed Faried — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 11:42:28 -0400

Caveat: This isn't an invitiation to malign the current POTUS so resist the temptation. This seems to be a cyclical thing. All two term Presidents experience a dramatic fall in approval ratings during their second term. Check out the article below:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2015/0603/Why-George-W.-Bush-is-more-popular-than-President-Obama-video?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily&utm_campaign=20150603_Newsletter%3ADaily%20%28UMP%29&cmpid=ema%3Anws%3ADaily%2520Newsletter%2520%2806-03-2015%29

A new poll shows that 52 percent of Americans see George W. Bush positively, while only 49 percent view President Obama favorably. Why?

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 5 at 2015 11:47 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 11:47:59 -0400

President Bush respected the troops far more than Obama does; that makes a big difference to me personally.

Also, Bush has been out of office over six years; Obama is the one making the critical decisions today, and takes the FLAK that the job attracts.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jun 5 at 2015 12:01 PM

SSG John Erny — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:01:55 -0400

Pres. Bush seams to be a more likeable person to me, some one you could set down and talk to. Pres. Obama seams more distant, I would say the same about Hillary.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 5 at 2015 12:15 PM

LTC John Shaw — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:15:33 -0400

I think this reflects the split nature of the US public on policies. It is reflected in the statistics. Technically speaking this is a statistical tie with 3% being the typical margin of error. So the range is Bush (49-55%) and Obama (46-52%).

I suspect the GOP vs. Dem affiliation drives most the split, it would be interesting to see if any swing voters have changed their mind about one or the other over time.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 5 at 2015 12:22 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:22:49 -0400

perhaps

Response by MCPO Brian Legg made Jun 5 at 2015 12:31 PM

MCPO Brian Legg — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:31:50 -0400

I had the pleasure of meeting President Bush and his father while serving on the USS George HW Bush (CVN 77). He is an impressive person with great people skills. The saying goes that "he never met a stranger". Some did not like his policies and that is understandable. As for President Obama I feel he is caught up in the same camp as any two term president: people take the opportunity to blame the sitting president for all the problems of the world. Former presidents get a boost in ratings over time; this is exactly the case here. The only one not going much up on the ratings is President Carter.

Response by MAJ James Woods made Jun 5 at 2015 12:59 PM

MAJ James Woods — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:59:51 -0400

I notice many want to compare their relationship with the military. I think both has the utmost respect and pride in our military. Both struggled publicly with military generals resulting in resignations or firings. But to say one is more popular than the other is misleading considering the politics in media reporting that is construing the polls. Conservative polls will favor Bush while Liberal polls favor Obama. Independent polls can go either way but mostly have been 50-50 or 60-40 in either direction. The military is seen as a conservative entity but the lack of Congressional actions to improve Veteran conditions have placed a black eye on the POTUS; further influencing the polls.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:10:04 -0400

All policies and politics aside, President G.W. Bush is someone many of us can relate to. He is charismatic, outgoing, and his accent makes him "homely" to many. Even though he is from a "power" family, he has had the same problems many Americans have had with alcohol and education. He represents the CEO who gets down to the factory line often and gets to know his employees on a personal level.

At times, President Obama comes off as very aloof. While it is said he has a sense of humor, even the jokes he tells seem canned. He is a very eloquent speaker, and displays his refinement and polish at all times. He portrays himself similar to Queen Elizabeth II when acting as our Head of State. A lot of people have a hard time relating to him. He represents the CEO who always uses his VPs and functional managers, not really interacting with the low level employee except during prearranged visits and functions.

I'm not saying either is bad or good, I'm giving my perspective. At times, I would have preferred President Bush to be more "Presidential". At times, I'd prefer President Obama to be less prim and proper..

Response by SPC Ei McS made Jun 5 at 2015 4:04 PM

SPC Ei McS — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:04:49 -0400

President Obama was and is certainly much more popular with me and the people I associate with most of the time than Bush ever was! So, I really don't care what polls say! Besides, I know of no polls that ever asked me or others like me about my opinion or views on this!

Response by CPL Brian Clouser made Jun 5 at 2015 4:33 PM

CPL Brian Clouser — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:33:45 -0400

With being reported by Clinton News Network, I'll take the whole report with a grain of salt.

I think Bush is more popular is he a "good old boy" He never said "It's Clinton fault" The one mistake That CNN did was to report the Bush was the Most unpopular living President. They forgot about Carter

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jun 5 at 2015 4:39 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:39:36 -0400

CPT - why not compare approval ratings based on data comparing their "in office" approval ratings based on their 3rd June after reelection? I myself am not concerned with nostalgia but rather what we the public feel about how well the President is doing currently.
Obama currently 49%
June 2007 - Bush 37%
June 1999 - Clinton 59%
June 1987 - Reagan - 50%
http://www.gallup.com/poll/116479/barack-obama-presidential-job-approval.aspx

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Jun 6 at 2015 4:33 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 16:33:05 -0400

It is my belief that the current POTUS has had to many personal agendas that leave our country in a serious bind with global influence. Us face it, he just cannot multitask. In my oinion he is tunnel visioned into his own little world leaving everything and everyone else to suffer his neglect for important issues worldwide.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Jun 6 at 2015 4:35 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 16:35:55 -0400

I truly believe too many of us love our country than he does.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 19 at 2015 6:46 AM

SFC Stephen King — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 06:46:24 -0400

While I have not met or current Commander and chief. I did have the distinctive pleasure of Meeting the former President George W. Bush. My one take away from that meeting was he took the time to greet everyone at the event and was easy to talk to.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Oct 3 at 2015 4:16 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 16:16:04 -0400

Proof is in the pudding, wait until President Obama is out of Office.
President Lincoln is one of our most revered Presidents. When he was alive, that was not the case

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 15 at 2015 10:29 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:29:39 -0400

Bush was our comical relief and it was amusing to watch him stumble verbally through a press conference, He was a clown of sorts for the nation, but that clown made off with a lot of money for his family and that is what it seems being president is all about anymore. He is also more popular because he isnt the clown in office anymore and he isnt responsible for the slow destruction of the nation anymore, there has been a steady increase of former presidents being more popular than the current one in office, this is normal, put them back in office and the tables would turn, America is the home of the never content population, people complain about virtually everything but never want to stand up and do something or they dont want confrontation so they turn a blind eye to events that change their very way of life all because they have the mentality that it doesnt affect their lives, they are still the lucky ones so why should they meddle and mess things for them up...Both are typical of this country and its plain to see why its in such disarray today.

Response by PO1 Kenneth Cardwell made Oct 15 at 2015 1:32 PM

PO1 Kenneth Cardwell — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:32:26 -0400

Really! Ask the American people! The Iraq war cost hundreds of Billions!

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Nov 6 at 2015 11:48 AM

SPC David Hannaman — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 11:48:52 -0500

I think the poll lacks statistical validity. George W. Bush may be more popular *NOW* than President Obama but it's not comparing "Apples to Apples"... in order for that to happen there would have to be some way of comparing polls across their entire presidency, and then correct for anomalies (for instance Bush's poll numbers soared when he went to the WTC just 3 days after 9/11).

It will take decades to be able to judge the actual impact of their presidencies beyond public opinion, and even then the results will be tainted by public perception.

The nation is pretty equally divided between the conservative and liberal camps, so whomever holds the office is pretty much guaranteed to make half the country happy, and make the other half complain loudly... and make any sort of cross party compromise nearly impossible for anyone seeking reelection or anyone loyal to their party.

That's why I vote third party and home everyone else will to.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 4 at 2016 5:30 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:30:20 -0500

I think it is because President Bush has quietly put up with a lot of verbal abuse after leaving office and borne it with quiet dignity. I believe that if President Obama carries himself with the same self-effacing dignity after leaving office it will go along way with people that are not so fond of him now. He hasn't had that chance yet. Ask the question again in 8 years.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 22 at 2016 11:19 AM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 22 May 2016 11:19:32 -0400

I ceased being a President Bush (43) fan sometime early in his second term. I felt he was becoming a big government Democrat light President. But President Bush (43) is a class act.

To my imperfect memory, I do not remember him heaping a lot of blame on his predecessor, unlike President Obama. President Bush (43) NEVER even publicly responded to the unending stream of blame directly from President Obama or from members of his administration. They continued this blame game for the lackluster performance of President Obama's policies and administration well into the sixth year of the Obama Presidency. I think that alone did a lot to rehabilitate President Bush's (43) popularity.

Personally, I never understood the unending praise of President Obama's "charm and wit". I was and still am the smart-ass, arrogant, smug guy. President Obama's personality is much closer to mine than I like to admit. I wouldn't hang out with me if I had a choice.

I hope I did not stray too far outside your parameters for response. But I think what I stated is central to answering your question.

Response by 1stSgt Jeff Blovat made Jul 15 at 2017 10:26 AM

1stSgt Jeff Blovat — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 10:26:47 -0400

You don't need to explain this......