Going out on a low

By Michael J.W. Stickings

President Bush is convinced that history will vindicate him, which may or may not be sheer craziness, but what is undeniable is that, right now, the American people do not approve of how he has conducted himself as president. And, with just a few days to go in what has been a disastrous presidency, the numbers are nothing if not overwhelming:

President Bush will leave office as one of the most unpopular departing presidents in history, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll showing Mr. Bush's final approval rating at 22 percent.

Seventy-three percent say they disapprove of the way Mr. Bush has handled his job as president over the last eight years.

Mr. Bush's final approval rating is the lowest final rating for an outgoing president since Gallup began asking about presidential approval more than 70 years ago.

After the past eight years, Bush certainly belongs in the record books.