Factors that Affect Public Approval of the President 44 - Coursework Example

The public has played a significant role in the presidential approval ratings. The process was introduced in the 1930s by George Gallup (Bond & Kevin, 2). It has always been used in gauging the United States presidential support by the public members ever since. Current it is referred to as Gallup survey. The process always involves the use of a polling system to show percentage response to various opinions by the citizens. The public approval ratings of various presidents of history have been dynamic based on various reasons. Some of these reasons include the economic status during the president’s tenure, rally effect, scandals, and honeymoon effect. They either raise the approval rate or lower it. The Economy Presidential ratings have always been high when the economy is good. When the economic indicators such as inflation and unemployment among others show positive adjustments, the public approval on the serving president has always been positive improving his ratings (Bond & Kevin, 54). President Kennedy, for instance, had a high approval rating of 71 % at the beginning of his presidency. The rating later on rose to 83 percent according to the poll done in 1961 between April2 8th and May 3rd. Analysis of this rise is linked to his greatest contribution to the rise in US economy. When Kennedy took office, he used an executive order to ensure improvement in the economy. One way, of achieving positive change on the economy, was by ordering the acceleration of payment and refund by the federal. He tackled unemployment by ordering the federal contracts to be taken to areas experiencing high levels of unemployment. These led to upturn signs in the economy by the time he started his term. The congress also approved the bill to increase social security and the minimum wedge. His most concerns were about payment deficit to ensure American balance and dealing with inflation. To combat inflation, Kennedy tried as much as he could to prevent the rise in steel prices. His efforts, in preventing that rise, were critical since was considered as one of the significant raw material important in the manufacturing of many products. To ensure that the wedge bill didn’t go highest, he persuaded the labor negotiators to accept small pension contributions and not to push further wedge increment. Another trick used by Kenned to improve the economy was speaking out and making positive statements about business. In so doing, he brought ease to the tension that existed in the business community. His last success was in 1962 when he set ensuring economic growth as the highest priority. He proposed for a tax cut and the bill was presented to the congress. Despite the opposition to the bill by many Congress leaders, Kennedy lobbied and kept pushing the bill. It was approved by the Means Committee and the House Way in August as Tax Reduction Bill which brought the highest reduction in marginal tax rates down to about 62%. Finally, the Bill was passed after President Kennedy’s death in 1963. The Rally Effect Despite economic concerns being one of the most Americans central concern on approval ratings of the president, Rally Effect also do affect the approval rating in certain scenarios even though its impact is always short leaved (Bond & Kevin, 72). During trying moments for the State like terrorist attack, military engagement or even shock from international relations, most public members usually rally around the president. As a result to that the presidential approval ratings usually show a quick rise. Some of the examples of rally effect experienced in the US history are those of president Dwight D. Eisenhower. His December 1953 Atoms for peace speech raised his approval rating from 59% to 69% that lasted for 20 weeks. Other rally effects he experienced included the Indochina Truce Signed that happened in July 1954 and lasted 6 weeks, and Geneva Summit in December 1959 that lasted 5 weeks. These rally events were caused by the public hope for peace. For instance, the Atom for peace was aimed at informing the American citizens’ about the risks and hopes that can result from the use of nuclear energy in the future. The speech had emphasis on a peaceful use of radioactive materials such as uranium in nuclear reactors and chance of peace that could prevail when his idea could be embraced. He also used the UN General Assembly to deliver his speech. This platform furthered his agenda for peace wining many members of the public to rally on his side. The use of nuclear weapons was also seen by the citizens as one of the greatest defense against the US enemy in case of attack. The speech also attracted supports from the allies by explain the global dangers of nuclear weapons if it could be held by the wrong people. He, therefore, proposed for the need of assuming control of the nuclear by countries of peace thus bringing an end to the cold war. Indochina Truce Signed in July 1954 also led to rally effect toward Eisenhower. It was aimed at bringing peace to Indochina, unity to Vietnam and solving challenges that were arising from Korean peninsula. The conference led to the adoption of Geneva Accord that concern free elections in Vietnam. Settling problem of hostility through military was also proposed. The rally event brought by The Geneva Summit aimed at restoring peace in Germany through free and fair elections led to the rise in President Eisenhower rating. The tension that arose over Berlin led to the world super powers, Europe, Soviet Union and USA to negotiations. Their efforts were later on thwarted by construction of the Berlin Wall. This summit was seen by many as a source of peace for the entire world and was important for preventing the third world war. The initial approval rating of Eisenhower during the time he was entering office in February 1953 was 68%. His rating then rose to 73% by 1954 April, attributed to this are the Atom for peace speech and the Indochina Truce Signed. Scandal Various scandals have been experienced within the US presidential administration. These always lower the president’s public approval ratings on his performance. Involvement of the president or members of his administration unconstitutional or unethical behaviors like corruption among others usually leads to disapproval of his performance. There is always a distinction between personal and constitutional scandals since there impact on disapproval are also different. Constitutional scandals do result in high rates of disapproval as opposed to personal scandals. Nixon’s scandal of the Watergate that damaged his public image is considered the worst scandal is history of US presidency (Bond & Kevin, 34). Second to this is the Iran –Contra scandal experienced by President Ronald Regan. His ratings dropped by 12% within five months between 1986 October and March 1987. In this scandal, Iran secret request, of buying weapons from US, was approved by President Regan. During that time there was an embargo on arms dealing with Iran; thus, the approval was a violation of the US constitution. Regan’s decision was aimed at rescuing the seven US hostages held by the Iranian terrorists which appeared as negotiation with terrorists another violation of the constitution and his promise. Contrary to his expectation, after shipment of about 1500 missiles, only three were released but others captured after. This scandal was exposed by Lebanese newspaper but denied by Regan who again later admitted. The real scandal was discovered when the Attorney General discovered that out of $ 30 million paid by the Iranians, only $ 12 million was received by the government coffers. It’s at this point that the discrepancy of diverting fund from sales to the Contras was explained by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver. Admiral John, who was the National Security adviser, then was also aware of this diversion of funds leading to questioning of President Regan’s administration integrity. Evidence to link president Regan was insufficient, and his popularity later rebounded leading to his approval rating rising at the end of his career. Honeymoon effect It is the highest approval rate always enjoyed by a president the first few weeks when he gets into office. At this time, the opposition is always not politically critical about his performance. He also tends to receive media support during these first 100 days before criticism starts. After winning a controversial election in 2000 through Supreme Court decision president Bush still enjoyed a honeymoon effect for about six weeks. The better part of the public was not in haste to see him implement his promises. They gave him time to assemble his staff, but shortly after things changed and the democrats started criticizing his performance blaming him of not making any changes. His public approval ratings fell due to these criticisms. Reference Bond, Jon R, and Kevin B. Smith. Promise and Performance of American Democracy. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth, 2011. Print. Read More