Second-Term Troubles

Newswise — Nixon, Reagan, Clinton and George W. Bush were all plagued by rocky second terms. Bush's approval ratings have fallen in the wake of rising gas prices and the war in Iraq. He also came under fire following Katrina, when his administration was accused of being out of touch with the public. UAB political communications expert Larry Powell, Ph.D., co-author of "Political Campaign Communication: Inside and Out" (2003), says lame duck presidents often make politically unpopular moves because they are no longer running for office. "Also, the longer a president is in office, the more isolated he becomes from the public." Isolation can result when presidents surround themselves with advisors who fail to play devil's advocate for a different perspective on the issues.