George W Bush Still Under 50% in Popularity

He's the only living ex-president in that category: CNN survey

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 7, 2012 3:20 PM CDT

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George W Bush Still Under 50% in Popularity — George W. Bush in 2008. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

George W Bush comes in last in an admittedly small popularity contest: former presidents who are still alive. The CNN poll shows that he's the only one who fails to crack 50% in "favorable" views among the public. The results:

George W Bush: favorable, 43%; unfavorable, 54%
Bill Clinton: favorable, 66%; unfavorable, 31%
George HW Bush: favorable, 59%; unfavorable, 34%
Jimmy Carter: favorable, 54%; unfavorable, 30%

"Don't be surprised if the Obama campaign mentions the name of George W Bush at every opportunity, and don't be surprised if that strategy works," says CNN's polling chief. "And the mention of Bush's name appears to prompt at least a few people to take a more positive view of their current financial situation." (Read more George W. Bush stories.)