Bush is number one!

For well over a year now, Bush's approval/disapproval ratings have flirted with Nixon's pre-resignation numbers--the worst numbers for any post WWII president. But each time it has looked like he was about to set a new record, he has pulled back from the brink (though never very far back). That's no longer the case. According to the latest USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, Bush has boldly stepped across the Nixon line.

Meanwhile, Bush reached an unwelcome record. By 64%-31%, Americans disapprove of the job he is doing. For the first time in the history of the Gallup Poll, 50% say they "strongly disapprove" of the president. Richard Nixon had reached the previous high, 48%, just before an impeachment inquiry was launched in 1974.

Curiously, while Bush has beaten Nixon's disapproval record, he is still safely above Nixon's approval low. That means more people in the "no opinion/undecided" category during Nixon's last days while everyone has an opinion about Bush. There's still plenty of time for Bush to beat Nixon's other record.