Clinton more popular than Reagan - higher average popularity over 8 yrs

[papau]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/08/opinion/08KRUG.html



The Great Taxer
By PAUL KRUGMAN

Published: June 8, 2004

Over the course of this week we'll be hearing a lot about Ronald Reagan, much of it false. A number of news sources have already proclaimed Mr. Reagan the most popular president of modern times. In fact, though Mr. Reagan was very popular in 1984 and 1985, he spent the latter part of his presidency under the shadow of the Iran-Contra scandal. Bill Clinton had a slightly higher average Gallup approval rating, and a much higher rating during his last two years in office.

[DarkPhenyx]

1. However the post Reagan era years...

...have seen a sharp increase in the popularity of Reagan as a historical President. He is viewed far better after the fact than he was during his Presidancy. I think this is mostly due to the rabid advertising and disinformation campaign waged by his most ardent supporters. As time has progressed people ahve forgotten what he was really like and have begun to believe what they were told last week.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. It's simple

Who else does the GOP have to elevate to icon status? We have FDR, Truman, Kennedy, and Clinton. They have Nixon.

[DarkPhenyx]

3. Even Tricky Dick...

...is getting a better rap after the fact.

[lancdem]

4. That's a very good point

If you're a conservative, Reagan is all you have. We Dems have an embarrassment of riches. :)