American Government
and Organization
PS1301
Friday, 13 February
Presidential Popularity
Bush’s Approval Ratings
Handling of the Economy
Handling of Foreign Affairs
Handling Situation with Iraq
1/
4/ 4-6
19 /0
2
5/ - 21
17 /0
2
7/ - 19
11 /0
-1 2
4
8/ /02
24
9/ /0 2
39/ 5 /
2
0
10 0- 2 2
/1 2/0
10 5 -1 2
/2 7/0
8- 2
12 31/
/3 02
-5
1/ /02
79
2/ /0 3
46
3/ /0 3
46
4/ /0 3
13
5/ /0 3
68
6/ /0 3
3
7/ -5 /0
8- 3
10
8/ /03
58
9/ /0 3
210 4 /0
/7 3
11 - 9/0
/4 3
12 - 6/0
/1 3
-3
1/ /03
57/
04
National Direction
Country Heading in Right Direction
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Associated Press poll conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs. Feb. 2-4, 2004. N=1,000 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.
(Data from 11/03 and earlier co-sponsored by Cook Political Report.)
Confidence in Dealing w/ Economy
Confidence in GWB ability to deal with Economy
60
50
40
30
20
10
Jan-04
Dec-03
Nov-03
Oct-03
Sep-03
Aug-03
Jul-03
Jun-03
May-03
Apr-03
Mar-03
Feb-03
Jan-03
Dec-02
Nov-02
0
CBS News/New York Times Poll. Jan. 12-15, 2004. N=1,022 adults nationwide.
MoE ± 3.
Ability to deal with International
Crisis
Confidence in GWB ability to deal with International Crisis
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
4-Jan-04
10-Sep-03
3-Apr-03
3-Mar-03
2-Nov-02
1-Jun-01
4/23-25/01
4/4-5/01
1-Mar-01
1-Feb-01
0
CBS News/New York Times Poll. Jan. 12-15, 2004. N=1,022 adults
nationwide. MoE ± 3.
How popularity can influence
Congress
Opposition party can substantially
increase support (1/3rd of total support)
Presidents may behave differently (less
willing to compromise?)
Who gets credit
Reasons for Influence on Own
Party Members
Policy agreement
Successful president helps party
Small favors

Fundraisers, photo op
Reasons for Less Influence on
Own Party Members
No sanctions
Little personal contact between president
and rank and file members
Different constituencies

National vs. district/state
The President As Legislator:
The Veto
Perhaps the president’s most formidable tool in
dealing with Congress is the veto.
Constitution defines the veto precisely.
Used relatively rarely – most used by Gerald
Ford. In the past 50 years, the average is fewer
than 10 vetoes a year.
The veto allows the president to block
congressional action, but does not allow the
president to substitute his own policy
preferences.