Analysis of Presidential Approval Ratings and Obama

Analysis of Presidential Approval Ratings and Obama

Abstract

Presidential approval rating is a very important benchmark for presidential success or failure in the United States. Predictable argument has it that economic performance is a key factor in determining the ratings of a sitting president. An underperforming economy thwarts the chances of any incumbent president to be re-elected (González-Bailón et al 121-143). This paper takes issue with this conservative wisdom. It establishes that while both unemployment and inflation are statistically important determinants of presidential approval, their significance is not practical and economical. In this study, the researcher wanted to measure President Obama’s approval rating and hence determine…