Approval Ratings Case Study

AP US Government and Politics
2003 FRQs
By Mitch White [e-mail] Marist Summer Institute
July 14, 2010
2003 AP US Gov FRQ #1
•Presidential approval ratings fluctuate over the course of each presidential administration.
–A. Identify two factors that decrease presidential approval ratings, and explain why each factor has that effect.
–B. Identify two factors that decrease presidential approval ratings, and explain why each factor has that effect. 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
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Essential Questions
•What factors increase and decrease presidential approval ratings?
•How or why do these factors change presidential approval ratings?
2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
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Vocabulary
•Presidential Approval Rating:
–The percentage
–See Wilson, pp. 423-424 2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
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Presidential Approval Ratings

2003 AP US Government & Politics FRQs
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Presidential Scandals

Expectations Gap

Decline in Popularity over term (time)

Bad Economic Conditions
•Almost always lower presidential approval
•Exs: Watergate, Iran-Contra, Monica Lewinsky
•May be exceptions for especially good handling (e.g. “Checkers”)
•Result of overly-ambitious campaign promises
•Exs: Carter (change D.C.), Bush 41 (“no new taxes”)
•Approval usually goes down overtime as “honeymoon” wears off
•Exs: All Presidents from HST through BHO EXCEPT:
•Ford (Special case), Reagan & Clinton (Unusually gifted politicians)
•President gets the blame (regardless of underlying causes)
•Exs: Carter, Bush 41, Obama
FACTORS THAT CAN DECREASE PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL RATINGS

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FACTORS THAT CAN DECREASE PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL RATINGS

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Use of Media