President Obama’s initial boost in popularity after Osama bin Laden’s death has dwindled just two weeks after the president ordered the raid, according to a recent poll.
Obama plateaued by Gallup’s estimation at nearly 52 percent in the days following bin Laden’s death. That number has since dissipated, and now rests at 46 percent, a rating Obama held before the raid was ordered.
Past presidents enjoyed similar bounces after announcing major news. In 2003, former President George W. Bush saw a 15 point spike after announcing the capture of Saddam Hussein. Bush enjoyed his boost for a seven week period, 5 weeks longer than Obama’s bounce.