Bush’s Approval Rating Hits 82 Percent

One White House resident is enjoying remarkable and consistently high job approval ratings. First Lady Laura Bush, according to a recent poll, remains one of the most popular first ladies in U.S. history, and now she has the numbers to prove it.

A January 20-22 poll by CNN/USA TODAY/Gallup, reveals Laura Bush’s 82 percent approval rating is among the most positive ratings ever recorded for a first lady.

And her numbers are consistent. The present rating is down three percentage points from the 85 percent rating she received in a 2004 poll, which was up from a solid 74 percent in 2003, the first time she was rated.

Past Gallup polls reveal that most Americans traditionally give higher marks to first ladies than they do to their commander in chief husbands, likely because the president’s role is more political, while the first lady’s is largely ceremonial and supportive.

By comparison, Laura Bush’s predecessor, Hillary Clinton, averaged a 64 percent approval rating during her tenure as first lady, regardless of whether her husband, Bill Clinton, was being lauded or impeached. Hillary Clinton is generally seen as a politically polarizing figure, whereas Laura Bush is popular regardless of politics.

I suppose the difference is that Laura is a lady.