Foreign policy triumphs and crises rally Americans around a president, and the first polls since the raid that killed 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden show President Obama enjoying a surge in popularity. But history shows that such "bumps" aren't always long lasting. The chart below—adapted by National Journal from data compiled by Public Opinion Strategies, a firm that conducts polls for Republicans—takes a look at the trends. Worth noting: President George H.W. Bush, who enjoyed one of the biggest and longest jumps in popularity following Operation Desert Storm, ended up losing the next election.
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New Faces in the 113th Congress
2012 Election Results
Columns
Charlie Cook: The Cook Report
Republicans Should Go Easy on Obama, At Least in Public
As a tactical matter, a subterranean campaign will score more direct hits on the president.
Ronald Brownstein: Political Connections
How the White House Scandals Could Hurt Republicans, Too
By enraging the base and strengthening the faction least willing to compromise with Obama, the IRS and Benghazi affairs could hurt a GOP shot at the presidency.
Norm Ornstein: Washington Inside Out
Eric Cantor’s Caucus Thwarts His Push for an Alternative Agenda
Cantor has learned that the tea-party movement he helped foster won’t fall in line behind his efforts to push an alternative conservative agenda.
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