President Approval Rating?

Question

I've just read that Bush's approval rating has declined to 30%. I've heard before that approval ratings do indeed matter but I forgot the reasoning behind this. President Bush will be leaving office next year, so why would it really matter about his approval rating. Does anyone know why his approval rating still matters at this point? My guess is that it would hurt republican chances in the coming elections next year. But is this the only reasoning?

Answer 1

He's still above Congress. For a while there, Congress was only a couple of percentage points from single digits.

Answer 2

A President's approval rating- is a Measure of how he's "doing" in the eyes of the Electorate. Bush STILL has over a Year to serve- so everything he DOES, still "counts" towards how people look at his Presidency. The WORSE his ratings GET, the BETTER the Opposition is likely to do- come next years Election.

Answer 3

You're correct. The more people are cheesed at the sitting President, the better the chance for the opposing party at the next election. That's true whether it's a Presidential election or not, and regardless of which party the President belongs to.

Answer 4

Be that as it may, the President's approval rating is still above that of the democrat-controlled congress. What does that tell you?

Answer 5

It won't hurt Republican chances in 2008. Republicans will vote for a republican regardless of rational reason.

Answer 6

Congress approval Rating?
That should have been your question.

Answer 7

theres been other US presidents with lower ratings. But, who cares anyway