In a recent poll of favorite poloticians, taken from selected American citizens, Former President Bill Clinton ranked 5th, while current President George Bush ranked 15th. Does that mean that America has forgaven Clinton for his scandel, and would rather have him running the country?
2006-11-29 14:22:15 · 9 answers · asked by Prince C 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
I would say many americans long for the Clinton years. The economy was very good and no war. Clinton's approval rating never sunk as low as Bush's, even in the midst of scandal.
2006-11-29 14:33:31 · answer #1 · answered by wooliebear07 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Current presidents have a much harder time maintaining popularity because they are judged on actual policies. Bush is judged on how you feel about Iraq; about the Congressionall election; about ongoing scandals; and so on. Past presidents, on the other hand, are judged by a much fuzzier standard -- for Clinton, that standard is how people felt about the country and their lives, 6 to 14 years ago, and people tend to think positively about the past (hence the popularity of nostalgia). As with photography, a fuzzier standard always makes the subject look better.
Acknowledging that bias, I believe that Bush will be seen by history as inferior to Clinton. Clinton's scandals involved human weaknesses that are present in every person -- and they had no lasting negative effect on the country. Bush's scandals, on the other hand, directly weaken Congress (by transferring power to the Executive branch via the Patriot Act); threaten the core Constitutional concept of balance-of-power (by usurping Congressional veto overrides by "signing statements"); and demean the respect of the presidency (by lying to the American public and the world about the basis for the war in Iraq).
Bill Clinton's popularity cannot get HIM re-elected, but it is certainly relevant for Hillary's upcoming 2008 presidential bid. The better Bill looks, and the worse Bush looks, the better are Hillary's prospects. Bush's unpopularity is also relevant for 2008 -- I expected by this stage that Jeb Bush would be entering the race, but he has not, I believe, because of George's unpopularity.
2006-11-30 10:55:46 · answer #2 · answered by Jesse G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't pay any attention to polls because they are all biased, selective and do not ever represent a large enough cross selection of citizens to give an accurate consensus of any polling question to represent the majority of the people.
Therefore, I do not believe that Clinton is forgiven by enough people to make him president again. I believe Bush is doing a good job and so does everyone else I know. So don't hold your breath.
2006-11-29 22:36:16 · answer #3 · answered by mammabecki 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Taken from selected American citizens"; sounds a little suspect to me. With that said, Clinton's ranking looks about right.
The current president ranked pretty high.....considering. In a couple of more years his ranking will be right there next to Pierce, Buchanan and Harding.
2006-11-29 22:56:30 · answer #4 · answered by ursaitaliano70 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it means that all the Bush bashing and Clinton praising has worked. True leaders are not always well liked, but well respected.
2006-11-29 22:24:43 · answer #5 · answered by GOPneedsarealconservative 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It's kind of tough to argue with success and he did have a very successful reign. Absolutely no body respects Bush and he's very ignorant.
2006-11-29 22:26:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
The economy was in better shape and at least he gave the sentation he could actually lead
2006-11-29 22:26:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
"selected American citizens"? From what liberal enclave were these citizens "selected"?
2006-11-29 22:26:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
A little too thought provoking for me.
2006-11-29 22:25:15 · answer #9 · answered by Shaddup Libs 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋