Bill Clinton: A case study of presidential approval and disapproval

The author examines President Bill Clinton's presidential approval and disapproval ratings from 1993 through 1997 in an attempt to explain their variation throughout his tenure in office. The literature review reveals there have been no major studies of presidential disapproval, which is suggested as important to understanding Clinton's approval ratings.;Pew Center and Ohio Poll presidential approval data are used to determine that Clinton's disapprovers are not, as has been suggested, substantively speaking, mirror images of approvers. This data set is used to discriminate between Clinton's approvers and disapprovers. It is discovered that Clinton increased his approval among all categories of citizens during the years 1996 and 1997. Finally, Ohio Poll data is used to determine reasons for Clinton's approval and disapproval. Presidential style is the most important reason given by both approvers and disapprovers. Clinton's high disapproval ratings in his first term are blamed on policy blunders and a perception of dishonesty by the American public. His subsequent rise in his approval in 1996 and 1997 is seen to be caused by a strong economy and a lack of controversial policy decisions. It is suggested that subsequent presidential approval models take presidential policy and character into account in measuring presidential approval.