The Siena College Research Institute (SRI) yesterday released a poll of 744 history and political science which ranked the performance of President Bush on the for ranking U.S. developed by Arthur Schlesinger, Sr., more than half a century ago. The results:
- Great: 2%
- Near Great: 5%
- Average: 11%
- Below Average: 24%
- Failure: 58%
(Hat Tip: Inside Higher Ed.)
6 responses to “82% of History and Poli Sci Profs Rank President Bush a “Failure” (58%) or “Below Average” (24%)”
Well, this is big news. 82% of History and Poli Sci Profs are left-liberals who hate the President. Yawn.
Well, this is big news. 82% of History and Poli Sci Profs are left-liberals who hate the President. Yawn.
Current history is never very good. Lincoln and Truman would have received similar marks in their times. Bush has failed at a lot of what he has tried. But I suspect that the real response was from professors who disagree with his policy intent not the actual success or failure of his policies. I would worry more about the bias in academe than the results of this kind of poll.
Current history is never very good. Lincoln and Truman would have received similar marks in their times. Bush has failed at a lot of what he has tried. But I suspect that the real response was from professors who disagree with his policy intent not the actual success or failure of his policies. I would worry more about the bias in academe than the results of this kind of poll.
As a lawyer and history major, I would tend to agree wth Mr. Schwartz that these numbers should be adjusted somewhat to reflect the bias of academics who are primarily liberal by their own admission. However, the polls appear to indicate the general displeasure of the public for the current President and his policies. Also, he is not at the end of his term in office and the long term effects of the war in Iraq and his ability to secure our country against attack may not be known for many years. The improving economy and the benefit of tax reductions should also improve his ratings. I would add LBJ to the list of presidents who were extremely popular at the beginning of their term and collapsed at the end. Also, the earlier presidential polls reflect significant changes in opinion over time for Reagan and JFK. Only Jimmy Carter, among modern presidents is consistent as being among the failures as well as Nizon.
As a lawyer and history major, I would tend to agree wth Mr. Schwartz that these numbers should be adjusted somewhat to reflect the bias of academics who are primarily liberal by their own admission. However, the polls appear to indicate the general displeasure of the public for the current President and his policies. Also, he is not at the end of his term in office and the long term effects of the war in Iraq and his ability to secure our country against attack may not be known for many years. The improving economy and the benefit of tax reductions should also improve his ratings. I would add LBJ to the list of presidents who were extremely popular at the beginning of their term and collapsed at the end. Also, the earlier presidential polls reflect significant changes in opinion over time for Reagan and JFK. Only Jimmy Carter, among modern presidents is consistent as being among the failures as well as Nizon.