Presidential Ratings: Carter vs. Bush

Posted 5/23/07

Compiled by U.S. News library staff

Former President Jimmy Carter said recently that with regard to foreign policy, President Bush is "the worst president in history." Here's a look at their respective approval ratings during their terms in office.

Carter Approval Ratings

Question: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Carter is handling his job as president?

Selected Gallup Poll results 1977-1980.

Date of poll	% Approve	% Disapprove	% Don't know/ no opinion
6/24/80*	31	58	11
4/8/80	39	50	11
1/29/80	55	36	9
11/13/79	38	49	13
8/14/79	32	54	14
5/15/79	32	53	15
2/20/79	37	46	16
11/28/78	50	34	16
8/15/78	43	41	16
5/30/78	44	41	16
3/1/78	49	33	18
12/6/77	57	27	16
9/6/77	54	29	17
5/31/77	62	19	18
*Last date this question was asked
Source: Gallup.com

Bush Approval Ratings

Question: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president?

Selected Gallup Poll results 2001-2007.

Date of poll	% Approve	% Disapprove	% No opinion
5/10-13/2007	33	62	5
2/1-4/2007	32	65	4
11/2-5/2006	38	56	6
8/7-10/2006	37	59	4
5/5-7/2006	31	65	5
2/6-9/2006	42	55	4
11/7-10/2005	40	55	5
8/5-7/2005	45	51	4
5/2-5/2005	50	45	5
2/4-6/2005	57	40	3
11/7-10/2004	53	44	3
8/9-11/2004	51	46	3
5/2-4/2004	49	48	3
2/6-8/2004	52	44	4
11/3-5/2003	54	43	3
8/4-6/2003	60	36	4
5/5-7/2003	69	28	3
2/3-6/2003	59	35	6
11/8-10/2002	68	27	5
8/5-8/2002	68	26	6
5/6-9/2002	76	19	5
2/4-6/2002	82	14	4
11/2-4/2001	87	9	4
10/5-6/2001	87	10	3
9/14-15/2001	86	10	4
9/7-10/2001	51	39	10
8/3-5/2001	55	35	10
7/10-11/2001	57	35	8
6/8-10/2001	55	35	10
5/7-9/2001	53	33	14
2/1-4/2001	57	25	18
Source: Gallup.com

Nation & World

Presidential Ratings: Carter vs. Bush