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The Polls: Public Opinion and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
Author(s) -
PANAGOPOULOS COSTAS
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
presidential studies quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.337
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 1741-5705
pISSN - 0360-4918
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-5705.2006.00291.x
Subject(s) - cabinet (room) , presidential system , executive branch , political science , law , public opinion , politics , public administration , history , archaeology
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has been characterized simultaneously as a central political figure in the executive branch as well as one of the most controversial and contentious cabinet members of the Bush administration. This article assesses Americans’ impressions of Secretary Rumsfeld's job performance and reveals that evaluations of Secretary Rumsfeld's performance have steadily declined since 2001. Over the same period, President Bush's approval ratings have dwindled, although the evidence I present indicates no relationship exists between the two. The broader implications of this research suggest that public evaluations of a president's key subordinates may not necessarily influence levels of presidential approval.