By most measures prospects for George W. Bush’s re-election look very good. No single indicator guarantees a second term, of course, but on balance the president’s numbers are as good if not better than those of the three presidents who won second terms in recent times. (Click on Graphic: The Presidents’ Numbers at the right.)
From a political standpoint, Mr. Bush is strong. His approval ratings are relatively high, as is the percentage of Americans who think the country is on the right track, and alone among recent presidents he saw his party gain seats in the midterm elections.