House Speaker John Boehner shocked Washington on Friday when he unexpectedly announced his retirement, but judging by his national favorable ratings, his presence likely won’t be missed by most Americans. …
Of the last five House speakers, Boehner and Newt Gingrich are the only two to resign the post rather than see it swept away by the electoral tides. Interestingly, when looking at the average favorable and unfavorable ratings for the last five speakers, both men finish at the bottom of the pack in terms of popularity. Boehner ends his term with an average favorable rating of 31% and an unfavorable rating of 43%, for a net favorable score of -12. Only Gingrich had a worse net favorable score. CONT.
Andrew Dugan, Gallup