Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

1-23-90 President George [Herbert Walker] Bush is immensely popular with the American people. I’ve heard reports that he has a higher approval rating than any president since John F. Kennedy [1917-1963]. Bush is even more popular than Ronald Reagan [1911-2004], who won consecutive landslide victories in 1980 and 1984. For the life of me, I don’t understand Bush’s popularity. As I study his words and deeds, he has little or no vision of the world he’d like to create; he hasn’t reduced the budget deficit; he selected a dolt (Dan Quayle) as his running mate; and he comes across as a follower rather than a leader. Then again, perhaps I’m looking at the wrong things. I’m looking at substance rather than surface, issues rather than appearance, policies rather than pronouncements. The images of Bush during the first year included hunting and fishing trips, walking across the White House lawn with Barbara and the family dog, and speeches railing against drugs. Let’s face it: We’re not in a war; the Soviet threat is diminishing; and the economy is as strong as it was during the Reagan years. Most people are concerned with themselves and their families. They want government to protect them, keep the economy sound, and make them feel powerful and important. Rightly or wrongly, they see Bush as doing these things. Unless something drastic happens between now and 1992, Bush will be reelected. [He was defeated by Bill Clinton.]