The Corner

Today’s Questions for the President

Gallup reports that your approval rating has fallen to 39 percent, the lowest of your presidency. At similar points in their respective presidencies, your predecessors’ Gallup ratings were as follows:

  • Truman: 55%

  • Eisenhower: 70%

  • Kennedy: 61%

  • Johnson: 48%

  • Nixon: 49%

  • Ford: 53%

  • Carter: 33%

  • Reagan: 44%

  • GHW Bush: 71%

  • Clinton: 46%

  • GW Bush: 60%

You have said that you “are here to do what is right, not what is popular.” The Gallup numbers indicate you may have accomplished the latter objective. Accordingly, which of your major domestic-policy initiatives (e.g., stimulus package, Obamacare, moratorium on off-shore oil drilling, etc.) were the “right” things to do for the country’s short-term interests? Long-term interests?

Which of your major foreign-policy initiatives (e.g., scrapping missile-defense shield in Europe, Afghanistan troop withdrawal deadline, Libyan war, etc.) were the “right” things to do for the country’s short-term interests? Long-term interests?

What metrics do you use to gauge whether your initiatives are the “right” things for the country’s interests?

Peter Kirsanow — Peter N. Kirsanow is an attorney and a member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
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