Bush fatigue? More like Bush exhaustion

As a whole, the State of Maine has never been a big fan of President George W. Bush.  In 2000, 49 percent of Maine voters cast their ballot for Al Gore, when only 44 percent chose Bush.  In 2004, 54 percent selected John Kerry for President, while just 45 percent gave W their vote.  But in an electorally unfriendly state, the President was at least able to count on the steadfast support of his Republican Party faithful in the Pine Tree State—well, not anymore.

The Critical Insights poll released last week unsurprisingly reports that George W. Bush is extremely unpopular in the State of Maine.  In fact, while 68 percent of the nation has an unfavorable opinion of the president, a full 71 percent of Mainers feel that way.

What could be most depressing for the president, who is scheduled to visit the Kennebunkport home of his father, President Bush #41, this week, is his unfavorables among registered Maine Republicans.  The Critical Insights poll shows that although 38 percent of Maine Republicans approve of W’s job in the White House, 42 percent have an unfavorable opinion.

This is a far cry from the George W. Bush of 2004.  Back then, he was the man who turned out somewhere between 6,000 and 8,000 supporters at the Bangor Airport to what many believed was the largest single political gathering in Maine history.  Could he pull off something like that again?  Not according to the poll.

It’s amazing what four years can do to a president’s reputation.