Former President George W. Bush is finally finding the love.

Recent poll numbers put the previously unpopular president — his second term poll numbers were the lowest for any second term president since World War II, ABC reported — back in the golden graces of the public. And the good news comes at a good time: Mr. Bush is about to open his presidential library for public viewing.

Now, 47 percent of ABC News/Washington Post survey participants say they approve of Mr. Bush’s job performance during his entire eight years in the White House. Fifty percent still say they disapprove — but that’s still an improvement.

When he left office, his approval rating was only 33 percent, ABC reported. His disapproval rating, meanwhile, was 66 percent — tied with disgraced Richard Nixon, ABC reported.

Put in context: Most presidents do gain in public favor in the years after leaving office. But it’s not a given: In the years following President Bill Clinton’s exodus from the White House, he actually dropped in public favor by 4 percentage points, ABC reported.

The George W. Bush Presidential Center is set to open May 1, 2013.

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