Bush continued to campaign across the country and touted his record as Governor of Texas. During his campaign, Bush criticized his Democratic opponent, incumbent Vice President Al Gore, over gun control and taxation.When the election returns were tallied on November 7, Bush had won 29 states, including Florida. The closeness of the Florida outcome led to a recount. Bush was the first person to win an American presidential election with fewer popular votes than another candidate since Benjamin Harrison in 1888. Bush began his presidency with approval ratings near 50 percent. Throughout most of 2007, Bush's approval rating hovered in the mid-thirties; the average for his entire second term was 37 percent, according to Gallup. By the beginning of 2008, his final year in office, Bush's approval rating had dropped to a low of just 19 percent, largely from the loss of support among Republicans.
[{"approval_ratings": "19 percent", "year": "2008", "above_50_percent": "no", "last_rating_in_office": "n/a"}]
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