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After Hurricane Katrina, George W. Bush joined forces with former presidents to help victims.

‘Lame duck’ stigma looms over Bush in 2006

President’s approval ratings continue to fall as trouble overseas and on the homefront show little improvement

Kathryn L. Gaglione GAG01001@BYUI.EDU News Editor

Richard Nixon resigned, the recession of the ’80s got worse and Bill Clinton was impeached. Traditionally, second terms have not been easy on presidents of the United States. Second term presidents have even become known as “lame ducks.”

In particular, approval ratings fall drastically in year six of presidential terms, and at the New Year, President George W. Bush looks to be no different than past presidents.

He and his staff, however, are hoping that his sixth year is not his worst because year five was bad enough.

An AP poll showed that relief may not be forthcoming for Bush. His approval rating has dropped from 42 percent in December back down to 40 percent in January.

Between problems with Social Security, non-response to Hurricane Katrina, failed Supreme Court nominations and no end in site for the war, Bush faced many challenges in 2005.

During a town hall-style meeting held in Louisville, Ky., a 7-year-old boy gave Bush the opportunity to try to regain some support by asking what people can do to help in the war on terror.

“It’s one thing to have a philosophical difference — and I can understand people being abhorrent about war. War is terrible,” Bush said. “But one way people can help as we’re coming down the pike in the 2006 elections is remember the effect that rhetoric can have on our troops in harm’s way, and the effect that rhetoric can have in emboldening or weakening an enemy.”

A child might not know what rhetoric means, but the adults in the audience didn’t seem to think too highly of the president’s comment.

“I just don’t know how much longer America can afford to have George Bush as our president. I think the war is causing more hatred toward America and encouraging terrorism,” said Renee Woodrum, a Louisvulle resident, to the AP.