A look at U.S. presidents' job-approval ratings.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
Truman became president after Franklin D. Roosevelt died at the start of his fourth term.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
After a major heart attack in the fall of 1955, Eisenhower was elected to a second term a year later.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
Kennedy's ratings were well above 50% when he was assassinated.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
Inheritor of the war in Vietnam, Johnson was unable to improve upon his inaugural highs.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
Nixon struggled with Vietnam, too, but Watergate was what ended his presidency.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
Appointed Nixon's vice president after Spiro Agnew's resignation, Ford finished Nixon's term.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
Carter made progress with the Camp David Accords, but the Iran hostage crisis ultimately hurt him.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
Reagan survived two major downturns, during a recession and after Iran-Contra.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
A reversal of his "No New Taxes" vow hurt George H.W. Bush, but the Gulf War was a diversion.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
Clinton was stung by response to the Nafta trade pact, but floated atop impeachment concerns.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
Sept. 11 won George W. Bush widespread support, but he leaves with unusually low popularity.
Sources: Gallup, AP, WSJ.com research NOTES: Plotted points are the averages of all approval polls taken by Gallup in each three-month period of each presidency. The first two points for Johnson and Ford are for polls taken in their first two months. Key dates are marked next to the poll results for the three-month period in which they took place.
