U.S. Presidents Ranked by Approval Rating

Bush’s presidency began with national tragedy and global conflict. He launched the War on Terror, oversaw the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and created the Department of Homeland Security. Domestically, he pushed tax cuts and education reform through the No Child Left Behind Act.

As the wars dragged on and the economy weakened, public opinion shifted. The handling of Hurricane Katrina and the 2008 financial crisis hurt his reputation. His approval numbers fell sharply, and by his final year, many Americans were eager for change. His average approval settled just below 50%.