Warming on W.: More Americans like George W. Bush than dislike

The latest CNN/ORC Poll found warning signs for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, but for his brother, former President George W. Bush, the poll reveals some happier news: For the first time in a decade, more Americans say they like him than dislike him.

According to the poll, 52% of adults had a favorable impression of George W. Bush, 43% unfavorable. When Bush left office in 2009, only about a third of Americans said they had a positive opinion of him. In a February 2009 poll conducted about a month after he left office, Republicans were the only group among which a majority said they had a favorable view of Bush. Even among self-described conservatives, only 50% had a favorable take on the former president and champion of “compassionate conservatism.”

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New poll shows good news for George W. Bush

Bush’s overall favorability has remained well below 50% for much of his time as a presidential alum. This new poll presents a notable shift.

As of a year ago, 46% had a favorable take on the former president, 51% an unfavorable one. Since then, Bush has gained in esteem among men (up 11 points), Republicans (up 10 points), those with household incomes under $50,000 (up 10 points), younger adults (up 9 points among those under age 50) and suburbanites (up 8 points).

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Bush remains broadly unpopular among groups that made up his main opponents during his time in office: Democrats (70% unfavorable), liberals (68% unfavorable) non-whites (54% unfavorable), and those under age 35 (53% unfavorable).

George W. Bush, seen here in January 2003, served two terms as President of the United States. His father, George H.W. Bush, was the nation's 41st president.

Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on July 6, 1946. Here, he looks up at his parents, George and Barbara, as they pose for a portrait in April 1947.

George W. Bush's life, legacy —

Bush and his parents are photographed in Rye, New York, during the summer of 1955. Bush's grandfather, Prescott Bush, became a US senator in 1952.

Bush, left, is the eldest child of George and Barbara Bush. Barbara is holding her youngest son, Marvin, and her husband is holding their son Neil. At bottom left is their son Jeb. The couple also had a young daughter, Robin, who died from leukemia in 1953.

Bush went on to attend Yale University like his father, graduating with a degree in history in 1968. He later attended Harvard Business School and got a master's in business administration.

Bush was a pilot in the Texas Air National Guard from 1968-1970. His father was a naval aviator who fought during World War II.

George W. Bush's life, legacy —

Bush, in the red shirt, is seen with his father and his three brothers in 1970. From left are Neil, George H.W., Jeb, George W. and Marvin.

Bush holds his twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, in 1981. At the time, he was the CEO of Arbusto Energy, an oil exploration firm he founded in 1977.

Members of the Bush family pose for a 1986 photo in Kennebunkport, Maine. George W. Bush is third from left behind his young daughter Barbara.

Bush and his wife, Laura, attend his father's inauguration in 1989. Bush worked on his father's presidential campaign.

Bush has a "leg up" on his father as he clowns around for the camera in 1990. A year earlier, the younger Bush became part-owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team.

Bush celebrates after he was elected governor of Texas in 1994. Bush, a Republican like his father, ran for Congress in 1978 but lost.

Bush hugs his daughters Barbara, left, and Jenna after his election win in 1994.

Bush's father joins him and Laura at his inauguration in Texas in 1994. Bush went on to win a second term in 1998 before running for president.

Bush practices his national convention speech while working at the governor's mansion in Texas in July 2000.

Bush shakes hands with his Democratic opponent, Vice President Al Gore, at their first presidential debate in October 2000.

Confetti falls on Bush as he concluded his presidential campaign in Austin, Texas, in November 2000.

Bush is embraced by his wife, Laura, at the governor's mansion in November 2000. Bush lost the popular vote but edged Gore in the Electoral College. His victory didn't become official until December, when the US Supreme Court, by a 5-4 margin, suspended a recount in the deciding state of Florida. Gore conceded the next day.

Bush is sworn in as President in January 2001.

Bush delivers his inaugural address.

Bush gets a pat on the back from his dad during his inauguration ceremonies.

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card informs Bush about the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. At the time, the President was visiting a school in Sarasota, Florida.

Bush, aboard Air Force One, talks on the phone with Vice President Dick Cheney on September 11, 2001.

Bush prepares to address the nation on the evening of September 11. "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America," he said in his remarks. "These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."

Bush addresses the media in the White House Oval Office after a telephone call with New York Gov. George Pataki and New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani on September 13, 2001.

Bush speaks to rescue workers, firefighters and police officers at the rubble of New York's ground zero, three days after the September 11 attacks.

Bush and his Cabinet bow their heads in prayer before a White House meeting on September 14, 2001.

Bush works on another address to the nation with National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, speechwriter Mike Gerson and presidential counselor Karen Hughes on September 20, 2001.

George W. Bush's life, legacy —

Bush drives his pickup truck at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, in 2002.

Bush, speaking from the USS Abraham Lincoln in May 2003, announced that "major combat operations" had ended in Iraq. A banner on the aircraft carrier said "mission accomplished," drawing criticism because the war in Iraq was still far from over. Bush never said the words "mission accomplished" in his speech -- he actually said "our mission continues" -- but the President later expressed regret about speaking in front of the banner.

Bush waves after addressing delegates at the Republican National Convention in 2004.

Bush addresses the audience as he debates Democratic challenger John Kerry in October 2004.

Bush takes a phone call from Kerry, who was conceding the 2004 election.

Bush speaks to US Marines on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack in December 2004.

Bush surveys Hurricane Katrina damage as Air Force One flies over New Orleans in August 2005.

Bush walks off Air Force One carrying the family dogs Barney and Miss Beazley in 2006.

Bush reels in a catch in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 2007. Watching is his daughter, Barbara, and cousin Billy.

Bush and other world leaders plant a memorial tree after a working session at the G8 summit in Toyako, Japan, in June 2008.

Bush speaks to US troops in Baghdad, Iraq, in December 2008.

Bush and his wife, Laura, look over their portraits during their unveiling at the National Portrait Gallery in December 2008.

Bush poses with President-elect Barack Obama and three former presidents in the White House Oval Office in January 2009.

Bush, his wife and his father attend the dedication of his presidential library near Dallas in 2013.

Bush poses with students at a New Orleans high school in 2015. He was in town for the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

First lady Michelle Obama embraces Bush at the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016.

Former Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton attend the Presidents Cup golf event in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 2017.

Bush pushes his father's wheelchair at the funeral service for his mother, Barbara, in April 2018.

Bush and his wife, Laura, join other former Presidents and first ladies for a photo at Barbara Bush's funeral.