George W. Bush outpolls Barack Obama

Americans now have a more favorable view of former President George W. Bush than they do of President Barack Obama.

It is the first time in more than a decade that Americans have expressed a favorable view of Bush, at least according to a new CNN/ORC poll released Wednesday.


Bush is seen in a favorable light by 52 percent of those surveyed, compared with 43 percent who still view the 43rd president unfavorably. Americans are split on Obama, with 49 percent responding favorably and unfavorably.

The last time Bush polled in positive territory was in early April 2005, close to three months into his second term.

Among living presidents, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton are viewed the most favorably, with 64 percent responding favorably to both. Just 30 percent see the elder Bush negatively, and 33 percent see Clinton in an unfavorable light.

When the same question was asked in 2014, the 43rd president polled at 46 percent favorability, continuing his steady increase in the public’s esteem since leaving office, when just 33 percent responded that way in February 2009.

The poll was conducted May 29-31 by telephone, surveying 1,025 Americans, with an overall margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percentage points.

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