2008
Barack Obama/Joe Biden (DEM) – 1,288,576; 53.66% (elected)
John McCain/Sarah Palin (REP) – 1,073,589; 44.71%
George W. Bush (REP) left office with…
1) a 34 percent approval rating and a 61 percent disapproval rating, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll.
(http://www.gallup.com/poll/113770/Bush-Presidency-Closes-34-Approval-61-Disapproval.aspx)
2) a 22 percent approval rating and a 73 percent disapproval rating, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll.
(http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/16/opinion/polls/main4728399.shtml)
These numbers caused many to brand him as one of the most unpopular departing presidents in history.
Critical factors: Bush’s departure; looming financial crisis; ongoing war in Iraq; Obama makes history as the first black presidential candidate for a major party
Other information to keep in mind:
Bush received the highest approval rating in history – 90 percent – in 2001 following Sept. 11.
Bush’s average approval rating: 49.4 percent
1992
Bill Clinton/Al Gore (DEM) - 629,681; 40.13% (elected)
George H.W. Bush/Dan Quayle (REP) - 562,850; 35.87%
Incumbent George H. W. Bush left office with a 56 percent approval rating and a 37 percent disapproval rating, according to a Gallup Poll.
Note that his approval rating increased – from a 29 percent rating in July 1992 – leading up to the 1992 election
Critical factors: Economic recession and budget deficits; Bush’s "Read my lips: no new taxes" 1988 campaign pledge that he could not follow through on, which sparked controversy; Independent presidential candidate Ross Perot earned 19,743,821 votes (18.91%), including 366,010 from Colorado (23.32%), in the 1992 election
Other information to keep in mind:
Prior to this election, the Republican Party controlled the White House for 12 consecutive years.
George H.W. Bush’s average approval rating: 60.9 percent
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