The most recent Gallup poll shows that 71% of Republicans strongly approve of Bush and 68% of Democrats strongly disapprove. No president has ever has more than 60% of the two major parties with strongly opposed approval ratings. This is the largest gap ever recorded.

Colin,

If Goober is re-elected I'm sure that gap will narrow... (one way or another).

That's an interesting point.

I wonder if on popularity based on overseas view ( ok , effectively in some way irrelevant) if there has been a more unpopular President

Overall, I doubt it but I think it has a lot more to do with a global shift in politics than George Bush. The fall of the USSR, the rise of the EU, the growing conception of international law and international bodies such as the UN and the spread of liberal views and socialist programs.

America has intervened all over the world the past 50 years but when it was against communism, you know - the guys with 180 military divisions on the European border - it was seen more as "for us" than "against us".

The rule of the mental ledger is "the enemy of my enemy is my friend".

Then there is the classic balance of power. People worldwide hate George Bush more than Tony Blair for the same actions.

If Kennedy were president today he would be despised worldwide.
If McKinley were president today he would be despised worldwide.
Oh, and they would have really hated John Adams.

Overall, I doubt it but I think it has a lot more to do with a global shift in politics than George Bush. The fall of the USSR, the rise of the EU, the growing conception of international law and international bodies such as the UN and the spread of liberal views and socialist programs.

America has intervened all over the world the past 50 years but when it was against communism, you know - the guys with 180 military divisions on the European border - it was seen more as "for us" than "against us".

The rule of the mental ledger is "the enemy of my enemy is my friend".

Then there is the classic balance of power. People worldwide hate George Bush more than Tony Blair for the same actions.

If Kennedy were president today he would be despised worldwide.
If McKinley were president today he would be despised worldwide.
Oh, and they would have really hated John Adams. [/b][/quote]


Don't forget Ronald Reagan.

The same President world leader's came to fet over during his funeral, was burned in effigy in most European capitals. He was called a war monger as well, and old washed up actor who could not think for himself, etc....

Funny, without Reagan's policies Europe would still be divided, and living with a lot of nuclear weapons pointed at them. There would also be NO EU, and other things.....