George W. Bush has set a new record of unpopularity:
Bush reached an unwelcome record. By 64%-31%, Americans disapprove of the job he is doing. For the first time in the history of the Gallup Poll, 50% say they “strongly disapprove” of the president. Richard Nixon had reached the previous high, 48%, just before an impeachment inquiry was launched in 1974.
This seems as good an occasion as any to re-open the debate started here almost two years ago. In Discourse.net: Worst President Ever? I asked if GWB was the worst President ever. Readers were pretty persuasive that he was only a runner-up to James Buchanan.
But a lot has happened in two years: torture, politicization of every office of government, beating drums of war with Iran, poor management of relations with Pakistan, the dollar collapse, the deficit, the increasing inequality, the vetoes, the quagmire in Iraq (and the stop-losses), the forgetting of Afghanistan and New Orleans, one could go on and on and on.
So now I am prepared to remove the question mark.
What say you all?