George W. Bush gains poll favor as presidential library sets to open

In this photo taken April 16, 2013, the main entrance courtyard is shown at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
FILE - In this April 5, 2013 file photo, the exterior of the George W. Bush Presidential Center is seen, in Dallas. Former first lady Laura Bush wanted to make sure that the George W. Bush Presidential Center reflected her and her husbandÃs Texas roots. And it does, right down to the foundation that includes limestone from the Midland area where they grew up and lived when they were first married. The about 226,000-square-foot center, home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum along with the 43rd president's policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday, April 25, 2013, on the campus of Southern Methodist University, which is not far from the Bushes' Dallas home and is also where Laura Bush earned her bachelor's degree in education. The library opens to the public on May 1.(AP Photo/Kim Johnson Flodin)
Statues of former Presidents George W. Bush, left and George HW Bush are seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Statues of former Presidents George W. Bush, left and George HW Bush are seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, an exhibit displaying various images of freedom and democracy are seen in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. is seen on a LED screen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A replica of the Oval Office is seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A replica of the Oval Office is seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, a quote from the 2000 Republican National Convention by George W. Bush greets visitors to the museum exhibit section of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, statues of Barney, left, and Miss Beazley, the beloved Scottish Terriers of president George W. Bush and Laura Bush, are seen in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, a variety of different documents from the president George W. Bush administration are on display in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, a portion an exhibit is shown in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, various campaign memorabilia is shown in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
An ornate dog dish is among gifts given to President George W. Bush that are seen on display during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The U.S. constitution is seen on a LED screen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A display about crisis management is seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Beams damaged at New York's World Trade Center during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 are seen on display during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The bullhorn President George W. Bush used at ground zero in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks is seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Memorial bracelets of captured or killed service members, that were given to President George W. Bush, are seen on display during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, a large screen displays images and video of the events and days that followed the 9/11 terrorist attacks as part of an exhibit in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, an exhibit is shown in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas.(AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
A display about the Bush administration's faith-based and community initiative is seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Docent Patricia Flynn demonstrates an interactive with information about conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A lion presented to President George W. Bush by Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete during Bush's trip to Africa in 2008 is seen on display at the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, a football presented to president George W. Bush by the University of Texas Longhorns is seen in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, twisted steel beams from the devastated World Trade Center site in New York are displayed in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
In this photo taken April 16, 2013, an exhibit on the "No Child Left Behind" initiative is shown in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)
Former President George W. Bush, left, and center architect Robert A.M. Stern pause for a photo before the signing ceremony for the joint use agreement between the National Archive and the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. Bush and his wife, Laura, attended Wednesday's ceremony in Dallas the day before the official dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The George W. Bush Foundation raised the money to build the center. The foundation donated the library and museum portion of the center to the National Archives, which provides access to presidential records, documents, historical materials and artifacts over time. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Former first lady Laura Bush and Alan Lowe, director of the library and museum enter a replica of the White House rose garden during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Former first lady Laura Bush and Alan Lowe, director of the library and museum speak during a media availability in the replica of the White House rose garden during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Former first lady Laura Bush and Alan Lowe, director of the library and museum enter a replica of the White House rose garden during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A replica of the Oval Office is seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Cowboy boots commemorating the time George W. Bush served as general managing partner for the Texas Rangers, are seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Former President George W. Bush's baseball collection is seen on display during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Busts of presidential pets Barney and Miss Beazley are seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Bush Center president Mark Langdale, front left and national archivist David Ferriero, right, sign a joint use agreement for the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. At rear from left are board chairman of the George W. Bush Foundation Don Evans, former first lady Laura Bush, former president George W. Bush, and Bush Center Director Alan Lowe. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Former President George W. Bush participates in a signing ceremony for the joint use agreement between the National Archive and the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. Bush and his wife, Laura, attended Wednesday's ceremony in Dallas the day before the official dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The George W. Bush Foundation raised the money to build the center. The foundation donated the library and museum portion of the center to the National Archives, which provides access to presidential records, documents, historical materials and artifacts over time. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Former President George W. Bush participates in a signing ceremony for the joint use agreement between the National Archive and the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By Cheryl K. Chumley - The Washington Times - Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Former President George W. Bush is finally finding the love.

Recent poll numbers put the previously unpopular president — his second term poll numbers were the lowest for any second term president since World War II, ABC reported — back in the golden graces of the public. And the good news comes at a good time: Mr. Bush is about to open his presidential library for public viewing.

Now, 47 percent of ABC News/Washington Post survey participants say they approve of Mr. Bush’s job performance during his entire eight years in the White House. Fifty percent still say they disapprove — but that’s still an improvement.

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When he left office, his approval rating was only 33 percent, ABC reported. His disapproval rating, meanwhile, was 66 percent — tied with disgraced Richard Nixon, ABC reported.

Put in context: Most presidents do gain in public favor in the years after leaving office. But it’s not a given: In the years following President Bill Clinton’s exodus from the White House, he actually dropped in public favor by 4 percentage points, ABC reported.

The George W. Bush Presidential Center is set to open May 1, 2013.

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Cheryl K. Chumley

cchumley@washingtontimes.com

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George W. Bush gains poll favor as presidential library sets to open

Statues of former Presidents George W. Bush, left and George HW Bush are seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

An ornate dog dish is among gifts given to President George W. Bush that are seen on display during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Beams damaged at New York's World Trade Center during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 are seen on display during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Former first lady Laura Bush and Alan Lowe, director of the library and museum enter a replica of the White House rose garden during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Former first lady Laura Bush and Alan Lowe, director of the library and museum speak during a media availability in the replica of the White House rose garden during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Former President George W. Bush participates in a signing ceremony for the joint use agreement between the National Archive and the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Cheryl K. Chumley

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