>In that and other ways, Clinton does remind me of Harding. And I
>have the feeling that Clinton is destined to be seen as the same
>colossal figure as H. in the eyes of history.
Believe it or not, Clinton's approval ratings were pretty high - and W's initial rating (57% approve, 25% disapprove) is quite low for a first-term first month honeymoon.
Doug
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U.S. PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL BY TERM
approve disapprove gap Roosevelt III 74% 17% +57% Roosevelt IV-Truman 54% 33% +21% Truman II 35% 49% -14% Eisenhower I 69% 17% +52% Eisenhower II 61% 25% +36% Kennedy-Johnson I 71% 15% +56% Johnson II 51% 35% +16% Nixon I 56% 29% +28% Nixon II-Ford 42% 44% -3% Carter 46% 39% +7% Reagan I 51% 39% +12% Reagan II 56% 34% +22% Bush 60% 29% +31% Clinton I 50% 39% +13% Clinton II 60% 34% +29%
two-termers ----------- Eisenhower 65% 21% +44% Reagan 54% 36% +17% Clinton 55% 37% +18%
Dems 63% 33% +22% Reps 56% 31% +26%
all 55% 33% +22%
George W Bush 57% 25% +32% 1st term honeymoon 62% 13% +49% W less -5% +12% -17%