Political Leverage
A president's approval rating affects their ability to push legislation through Congress, recruit candidates, and shape their party's midterm prospects.
In plain English
How Americans grade the president's performance.
It's a simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down on how the president is doing the job, reported as a percentage.
Simple example
Gallup has tracked presidential job approval since Harry Truman, with ratings ranging from a high of 90% for George W. Bush after the September 2001 attacks to lows in the 20s for several presidents during crises.
Why it matters
What the term actually changes.
Public Feedback Loop
Approval numbers act as a running report card that can influence policy choices, staff changes, and the tone of public messaging from the White House.
How it works
The mechanics, in practice.
Standard Question
Pollsters ask a version of: 'Do you approve or disapprove of the way the president is handling his job?' Responses are tallied as approve, disapprove, or no opinion.
Tracked Over Time
Results are often averaged across multiple polls and charted weekly or monthly to smooth out short-term swings tied to news events.
Event-Driven Shifts
Approval often rises during national unity moments (a 'rally effect') and falls during economic downturns, scandals, or unpopular policy fights.
Related guide
What does presidential job approval actually measure?
A quick guide to one of the most-watched numbers in American politics — and what it can and cannot tell you.
Read the guide → Related issue brief
Do you approve of how the President is handling the job?
A look at the strongest arguments on each side of the presidential job-approval question.
Read the brief →You’ve learned the term. Now vote.
Do you approve of how the President is handling the job?
Live results — 3 voters
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