American Politics Today - Essentials (3rd Ed)

THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND THE PRESIDENT| 315

conditions also contributed to President Obama’s relatively low approval ratings
during his fi rst term in offi ce.
As this example indicates, presidential approval is mostly about outcomes,
not a president’s policies or actions. Approval doesn’t arise from voters learning
about a president’s programs and voicing their support or opposi-
tion. Rather, most people look at the world around them, decide
whether they like what they see, and express approval or disap-
proval accordingly. In this sense, presidential approval is to some
extent out of a president’s control. Bill Clinton enjoyed relatively
high approval ratings during most of his eight years in offi ce due to
a strong domestic economy, but this economic strength probably
had less to do with Clinton’s policies than it did with factors that
were well beyond Clinton’s control. In contrast, Presidents Carter
and Ford had the misfortune to be in offi ce at a time when economic
conditions were relatively weak and largely out of their control. In
t h i s sen se, pre sident i a l popu l a r it y i s t o some ex t ent a m at t er of luck.
All presidents have staff and consultants who regularly poll the
public to discern its feelings about the president and fi nd out what

CITIZEN DEMANDS ON THE PRESIDENT

TABLETABLE » »^ 10.1^ 5.1

These data show that many Americans want the president to stick to his

principles, say what he believes, and be forceful and decisive. Fewer consider

political experience and willingness to compromise essential presidential

qualities. How might the political necessity for bargaining and compromise

aff ect a president’s ability to satisfy citizens’ expectations?

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES 1995 1999 2003

Sound judgment 76% 78% 76%

High ethical standards 67 63 67

Compassion 64 63 63

Saying what one believes 59 57 56

Consistent positions 51 50 52

Forcefulness and decisiveness 50 46 49

Willingness to compromise 34 33 38

Experience in public offi ce 30 38 37

Political savvy 31 – 36

Experience in Washington 21 27 32

Party loyalty 25 33 30

Military experience – – 16

Source: Pew Research Center, “Bush Reelect Margin Narrows to 45%–43%,” news release,

September 25, 2003, http://www.people-press.org/reports/pdf/194.pdf (accessed 9/20/12).

PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL IS

infl uenced by international events

that concern Americans, such as

the taking of American hostages

by militant Iranian students in

1979. President Jimmy Carter
      initially saw his approval ratings
      increase, but they declined
      steadily as the crisis continued
      into 1980.