What every American is asking? How did every U.S. President do in their First 100 Days in Office? And there were recurring themes as well.

Recurring Themes:

• Economic Crises: The impact of economic downturns (Panics, Depressions, recessions) heavily influences public opinion.
• Wars and Conflicts: The handling of wars or major conflicts (Civil War, World Wars, etc.) is a critical factor.
• National Unity/Division: Presidents facing deep national divisions (slavery, civil rights, etc.) see polarized public opinion.
• Scandal and Corruption: Scandals can severely damage a president’s reputation and public trust.
• Transitions and Inherited Issues: Presidents inheriting difficult situations (assassinations, economic crises, wars) face unique challenges.
• Expansion and Territorial Issues: Especially in the 19th Century, westward expansion and territorial disputes heavily influence public opinion.
• Domestic Reforms: Large domestic programs and reforms greatly affect public sentiment.
• Foreign Policy: Foreign policy can greatly sway public sentiment.

Presidential Summaries:

• George Washington (1789):
  • Summary: Focused on establishing the new government and national unity. ¹   1. Presidency of George Washington – Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  • Public Opinion: Overwhelmingly positive; national hero.
• John Adams (1797):
  • Summary: Faced challenges with foreign relations (France) and domestic dissent (Alien and Sedition Acts).
  • Public Opinion: Mixed and declining due to political divisions.
• Thomas Jefferson (1801):
  • Summary: Emphasized agrarianism, limited government, and westward expansion (Louisiana Purchase).
  • Public Opinion: Generally positive, especially after the Louisiana Purchase.
• James Madison (1809):
  • Summary: Led the nation through the War of 1812.
  • Public Opinion: Mixed during the war, improved afterward.
• James Monroe (1817):
  • Summary: Ushered in the “Era of Good Feelings,” focused on national unity and the Monroe Doctrine.
  • Public Opinion: Highly positive due to national harmony and expansion.
• John Quincy Adams (1825):
  • Summary: Focused on national improvements and infrastructure, but faced political opposition.
  • Public Opinion: Mixed; his vision was ambitious, but he struggled to gain widespread support.
• Andrew Jackson (1829):
  • Summary: Ushered in a new era of populist politics, with a focus on expanding presidential power and removing Native Americans.
  • Public Opinion: Polarized; strong support from his base, but significant opposition from established elites.
• Martin Van Buren (1837):
  • Summary: Inherited the Panic of 1837, leading to economic hardship.
  • Public Opinion: Declined rapidly due to the economic crisis.
• William Henry Harrison (1841):
  • Summary: Died shortly after taking office; no significant policy actions in his first 100 days.
  • Public Opinion: Initial high hopes cut short by his sudden death.
• John Tyler (1841):
  • Summary: Became president after Harrison’s death; his policies differed significantly from the Whig agenda that elected Harrison.
  • Public Opinion: Declined as he clashed with his own party.
• James K. Polk (1845):
  • Summary: Focused on westward expansion (“Manifest Destiny”).
  • Public Opinion: Mixed; supported by those favoring expansion, opposed by those concerned about slavery and war.
• Zachary Taylor (1849):
  • Summary: Focused on the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories.
  • Public Opinion: Mixed due to the divisive issue of slavery.
• Millard Fillmore (1850):
  • Summary: Became president after Taylor’s death; supported the Compromise of 1850.
  • Public Opinion: Mixed due to his role in the Compromise of 1850, which aimed to address but also inflamed tensions over slavery.
• Franklin Pierce (1853):
  • Summary: His administration was marked by increasing tensions over slavery.
  • Public Opinion: Declined due to his handling of the slavery issue.
• James Buchanan (1857):
  • Summary: Presided over the escalating crisis leading to the Civil War.
  • Public Opinion: Widely criticized for his perceived inaction.
• Abraham Lincoln (1861):
  • Summary: Focused on preserving the Union as the Civil War began.
  • Public Opinion: Initially divided, but grew in support as the war progressed and his leadership became evident.
• Andrew Johnson (1865):
  • Summary: Focused on Reconstruction after the Civil War, leading to clashes with Congress.
  • Public Opinion: Highly negative due to his Reconstruction policies and subsequent impeachment.
• Ulysses S. Grant (1869):
  • Summary: Focused on Reconstruction and dealing with corruption.
  • Public Opinion: Initially high due to his war hero status, but declined due to scandals within his administration.
• Rutherford B. Hayes (1877):
  • Summary: His presidency began with the end of Reconstruction.
  • Public Opinion: Mixed due to the controversial election and the end of Reconstruction.
• James A. Garfield (1881):
  • Summary: Assassinated early in his term; no significant policy actions in his first 100 days.
  • Public Opinion: Mourning and shock over his death.
• Chester A. Arthur (1881):
  • Summary: Focused on civil service reform after Garfield’s assassination.
  • Public Opinion: Initially skeptical, but gained respect for his commitment to reform.
• Grover Cleveland (1885):
  • Summary: Focused on fiscal conservatism and limited government.
  • Public Opinion: Mixed; praised by some for his principles, criticized by others for his policies.
• Benjamin Harrison (1889):
  • Summary: Supported higher tariffs and federal spending.
  • Public Opinion: Mixed; economic policies were debated.
• Grover Cleveland (1893) – Second Term:
  • Summary: Dealt with the Panic of 1893.
  • Public Opinion: Declined significantly due to the economic crisis.
• William McKinley (1897):
  • Summary: Focused on economic recovery and expansionism.
  • Public Opinion: Generally positive due to improving economic conditions and the Spanish-American War.
• Theodore Roosevelt (1901):
  • Summary: Became president after McKinley’s assassination; focused on trust-busting and conservation.
  • Public Opinion: Strong and enthusiastic support.
• William Howard Taft (1909):
  • Summary: Continued some of Roosevelt’s policies but faced growing political divisions.
  • Public Opinion: Declined due to his handling of tariff reform and conservation.
• Woodrow Wilson (1913):
  • Summary: Implemented significant domestic reforms (“New Freedom”) and navigated the early stages of World War I.
  • Public Opinion: Initially strong support for his reforms.
• Warren G. Harding (1921):
  • Summary: Promised a “return to normalcy” after World War I.
  • Public Opinion: Initially positive, reflecting the desire for stability.
• Calvin Coolidge (1923):
  • Summary: Continued Harding’s pro-business policies and emphasized fiscal conservatism.
  • Public Opinion: Generally positive during a period of economic prosperity.
• Herbert Hoover (1929):
  • Summary: His presidency began with the stock market crash, leading to the Great Depression.
  • Public Opinion: Plummeted due to his handling of the economic crisis.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933):
  • Summary: Faced the Great Depression and implemented the New Deal, focusing on economic recovery.
  • Public Opinion: High approval ratings due to immediate action and optimism.
• Harry S. Truman (1945):
  • Summary: Truman’s first days were marked by ending World War II and transitioning from wartime to peacetime policies.
  • Public Opinion: Mixed; some appreciated his decisiveness, while others were uncertain about post-war challenges.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953):
  • Summary: Focused on the Korean War armistice and domestic stability.
  • Public Opinion: Generally positive; Americans appreciated his leadership and calm demeanor.
• John F. Kennedy (1961):
  • Summary: Launched initiatives like the Peace Corps; faced challenges with Cuba.
  • Public Opinion: Strong support drawn from hope and an inspiring vision for America.
• Lyndon B. Johnson (1963):
  • Summary: Entered office after JFK’s assassination; focused on civil rights and the War on Poverty.
  • Public Opinion: High approval due to the ambitious Great Society programs and continuation of JFK’s legacy.
• Richard Nixon (1969):
  • Summary: Focused on domestic issues and foreign policy, particularly Vietnam.
  • Public Opinion: Initially positive, but soon declined due to rising tensions over the Vietnam War.
• Richard Nixon (1973) – Second Term:
  • Summary: His second term was dominated by the Watergate scandal.
  • Public Opinion: Collapsed due to the unfolding scandal.
• Gerald Ford (1974):
  • Summary: Took office amidst Watergate; prioritized restoring trust in government.
  • Public Opinion: Mixed; many were unsure of his ability to heal the national wounds.
• Jimmy Carter (1977):
  • Summary: Emphasized human rights and energy conservation.
  • Public Opinion: Initially positive; public interest in ethical governance.
• Ronald Reagan (1981):
  • Summary: Advocated for tax cuts, deregulation, and a strong military.
  • Public Opinion: Strong initial approval fueled by a charismatic persona and optimism.
• George H.W. Bush (1989):
  • Summary: Focused on the end of the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War.
  • Public Opinion: High approval after the Gulf War, but later declined due to economic concerns.
• Bill Clinton (1993):
  • Summary: Focused on economic reform and health care.
  • Public Opinion: Mixed; challenges with health care reform affected perceptions.
• George W. Bush (2001):
  • Summary: His presidency began with the 9/11 attacks, shifting focus to national security.
  • Public Opinion: High approval ratings immediately following 9/11, but later mixed due to ongoing conflicts.
• Barack Obama (2009):
  • Summary: Inherited the financial crisis and focused on the Recovery Act.
  • Public Opinion: High approval stemming from hope and recovery efforts.
• Donald Trump (2017):
  • Summary: Enacted executive orders and promoted economic initiatives, including a tax overhaul.
  • Public Opinion: Highly polarized; strong support among his base, but significant opposition.
• Joe Biden (2021):
  • Summary: Focused on COVID-19 recovery, passing stimulus packages and infrastructure plans.
  • Public Opinion: Strong approval initially due to pandemic response, though it fluctuated with economic challenges.

Conclusion:

The “First 100 Days” offer a fascinating glimpse into the immediate reactions to a new presidency. While each president faced unique circumstances, common threads emerge. Economic stability and national security are consistently major drivers of public opinion. The ability of a president to inspire confidence, take decisive action in the face of crises, and articulate a clear vision for the nation often correlates with higher initial approval. However, this early sentiment is not always indicative of long-term success, as unforeseen events and policy outcomes can significantly alter public perception throughout a president’s term.