The magic is gone: Just as many Americans dislike Obama as do George W. Bush, poll shows

When president Barack Obama came into office, he was viewed positively by 78 percent of Americans

Outgoing president George W. Bush left the White House, tail between his legs with a 35 percent approval rating

Now, they're both viewed unfavorably by 51 percent of Americans, according to a new poll



This is the first time a majority of Americans have viewed president Obama unfavorably

President Barack Obama has ruffled so many feathers during his five and a half years in office that he is now disliked by as many Americans as former president George W. Bush, a new poll shows.



In the latest CNN/ORC International poll, 51 percent of Americans said they viewed President Obama unfavorably. The same percentage of respondents had a negative opinion of former President Bush.

This is the first time in Obama's presidency that a majority of Americans have given the president bad marks.

Once-beloved President Barack Obama is now viewed unfavorably by a majority of Americans

In the latest CNN/ORC International poll, 51 percent of Americans said they viewed President Obama unfavorably. The same percentage of respondents had a negative opinion of former President Bush Poll Do you think more favorably of President Obama than George W. Bush? Yes No Do you think more favorably of President Obama than George W. Bush? Yes 2734 votes

No 6864 votes Now share your opinion



When Obama took office on January 20, 2009, an astounding 78 percent of Americans said they had positive views of their new president.

Meanwhile, a mere 35 percent had nice things to say about outgoing president George W. Bush.

Coming off the precipice of a financial disaster, there was no love lost between Americans and the Republican president, whose final years in office brought massive numbers of foreclosures and rampant unemployment.



Obama capitalized on his predecessor's misfortune, and an early strategy of his administration was to 'blame Bush' for everything that was wrong in America.



Five and a half years later, it's Obama who is mired in controversy and fending off critics on both sides of the aisle for sins against America's veterans and a shady deal with the Taliban that allowed five of its finest fighters to walk free in exchange for the life of a suspected deserter from the Army.

The president's signature law, Obamacare, also continues to be a drag on his ratings, as health care costs continue to increase despite promises from the president that wouldn't happen.

A Bloomberg National Poll released on Wednesday found that 53 percent of Americans are opposed the law.

CNN did not specifically ask survey-takers who viewed the president unfavorably why they were upset with him, however respondents have specifically cited Obamacare as area of dissatisfaction in other recent polls, like the the one taken by the Washington Post and ABC News in late April.



In this photo provided by the All Veteran Parachute Team, former President George H.W. Bush, right, is congratulated on his parachute jump by his son, former President George W. Bush, far left, his wife Barbara Bush and his tandem team partner Mike Elliott on his 90th birthday celebration today in Kennebunkport, Maine. Both of George W. Bush's parents are better-liked by Americans than he is

President George W. Bush left office on January 20, 2009 with an abysmal 35 percent approval rating, while Obama came in with a sky high 78 percent approval score. Now, Americans don't like either of them very much

CNN also asked poll takers about their opinions of other former presidents and members of their families. No other names on the list drew as much negative attention as Obama and George W. Bush.



Former presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush had unfavorable ratings of 31 percent and 33 percent favorable respectively.

Of the first ladies, former secretary of state and potential 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was liked the least, with 42 percent giving her a black mark.



Michelle Obama came in under Clinton at 34 percent and Barbara Bush and Laura Bush scored poorly with 18 percent and 16 percent of respondents.



Former first daughter and soon-to-be mother Chelsea Clinton also had low unfavorabilty rating of 16 percent.

