Barack Obama comes into the White House with the best ever approval ratings for an incoming president, while George W. Bush leaves with his popularity in shatters.

One latest poll put Bush’s ratings at 22 percent, the worst on record for a departing president. That is compared to the 90 percent he enjoyed after September 11. Terrorism, war, natural disasters and economic collapse – Bush has a lot to reflect on as he flies back to his ranch in Texas. In his auguration speech, President Obama had kind words for the man he is replacing, though. He began by thanking President Bush for his “service to the nation”, and also for what he called his “generosity and cooperation” during the transition. But the speech also focused on what has gone wrong with America and the urgent problems that need to be fixed after eight years of President Bush.

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