September 14, 2004
THE DUKE--TANNED, RESTED, READY, UNHELMETED:
Bush's Records Keep Trickling Out (Dana Milbank, September 14, 2004, Washington Post)
In last week's Washington Post-ABC News Poll, John F. Kerry was viewed favorably by 36 percent of registered voters, down 18 points over the past six months. But just how low Kerry's standing has fallen cannot be appreciated fully without comparing his standing with that of other household names in Gallup polls over the years. Kerry finds himself in a dead heat with Martha Stewart and Joseph McCarthy, and behind Herbert Hoover -- although he narrowly beats O.J. Simpson. [...]Democratic Party: 54 (2004)
John Ashcroft: 49 (2003)
Michael Dukakis: 47 (1988)
Prince Charles: 45 (2003)
Herbert Hoover: 43 (1944)
Jesse Jackson: 38 (2003)
Vladimir Putin: 38 (2003)
John Kerry: 36 (2004)
How can Michael Dukakis beat Hoover, who--if nothing else--saved a starving Europe after WWI and the lives of as many as 20 million children? Posted by Orrin Judd at September 14, 2004 7:08 PM
Hoover presided over the Stock Market crash, which impoverished Americans. Who cares how many foreigners he saved?
Most people don't know that about him anyway. WWI history is not much studied in America.
Posted by: Brandon at September 14, 2004 7:28 PMAmericans like Vladimir Putin and William Hung more than John Kerry.
Ouch.
Heck, if William Hung appeared at the debates and sang a little, he might get more votes than Kerry. At least his appearance would be memorable, which is more than you can say for ol' Sphinx-Boy.
Posted by: John Barrett Jr. at September 14, 2004 8:34 PMIn fairness to the public, this was Hoover's popularity after he lost and Dukakis's before he lost. Before the election, candidates always get approval from their party's stalwarts that vanishes later. Dukakis in 1989 would probably have lost to Hoover.
Kerry after he loses might get down to the level of Hitler, Stalin, and James Earl Ray.
Posted by: pj at September 14, 2004 9:34 PMAnd don't forget that the Dems have been running against Hoover every four years since 1932. That number was from 1944,too.
Note how Kerry stands in relation to Attorney Reichsmarschall Ashcroft, too.
Posted by: Raoul Ortega at September 14, 2004 9:46 PMThe wonder is that some Democrats continue to think a man this monumentally unpopular can still win the presidency.
The wonder is that some Republicans still think this man can win the presidency.
Posted by: Matt Murphy at September 14, 2004 10:12 PMpeople have heard of Dukakis...most Americans couldnt pick Pres. Hoover out of a lineup
Posted by: cornetofhorse at September 15, 2004 12:41 AMLike you say, Orrin, we judge people on what they've done lately, not what they did when they were young.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at September 15, 2004 2:32 AMHarry:
Even by that standard he should at least be recalled as the architect of the New Deal, though that should work to his discredit as well as credit. And his post-presidency was the best of anyone who's served.
Posted by: oj at September 15, 2004 6:51 AMNot better than J.Q. Adams
Posted by: Harry Eagar at September 15, 2004 2:53 PMHoover didn't cause a Civil War.
Posted by: oj at September 15, 2004 3:02 PMNeither did Adams
Posted by: Harry Eagar at September 15, 2004 8:54 PM