Bush began his presidency with approval ratings near 50 % . Following the September 11 attacks , Bush held approval ratings of greater than 85 % , among the highest for any President . Since then , his approval ratings and approval of his handling of domestic , economic , and foreign policy issues steadily declined , and despite consistent efforts to do so , President Bush and his Administration were unable to rally public support for the last three years , with each year seeing a steady decline in the Administration 's support level to the point of Bush eventually dropping to a 19 % approval rating and 77 % disapproval rating , both records for a sitting president
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Public image of George W. Bush