American Leader Idol
Critical Analysis
According to the data from the chat above, what American leader has the highest approval rating?
According to the data from the chat above, as of December 16, 2021 what was President Biden’s approval rating?
How many of the American leaders listed in the chart above are underwater (have higher disapproval than approval ratings.)?
Of the American leaders with the top five approval ratings, how many were elected to office?
Explain the connection between elections and approval ratings in American leaders.
Chief Justice Roberts is in a unique position as the sole public leader of the 11 evaluated who enjoys majority-level approval from Americans in all party groups. The only other public figure in the poll who partisans agree on is Sen. minority leader McConnell, but in his case, it's a consensus of disapproval. In a sense, popularity does not matter to John Roberts because he does not face any elections. In another sense popularity impacts the legitimacy of any ruling from Chief Justice John Robert’s Supreme Court. Explain how John Roberts’ and the Supreme Court’s popularity impacts their work.
Based on the data in the chart above, respond to the following claim: American politics would be better off if we had less elections and more appointments.
The founders understood that judges who are able to apply the law freely and fairly are essential to the rule of law. The Constitution guarantees our rights on paper, but this would mean nothing without independent courts to protect them. Our federal judges are protected from the influence of the other branches, as well as shifting popular opinion. This insulation is referred to as judicial independence, and it allows them to make decisions based on what is right under the law, without facing political (not getting reelected) or personal (getting fired, having their salary lowered) consequences for the decisions they make. Judicial Independence is Maintained in Several Ways: Federal Judges are Appointed; Federal Judges Serve a Life Term; Federal Judges Can’t Have Their Salary Reduced. Explain how judicial independence relates to John Roberts’ popularity.
Based on the data from the chart below* describe how partisanship impacts approval of John Roberts.
Based on the data from the chart below* which leaders are most disliked by Republicans?
Learning Extension
Dive a little deeper into the details of American leader approval.
Action Extension
Contact the White House and explain what President Biden can learn from the most popular American leaders.