De-Valuing the Government Brand

The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press is out with a comprehensive report on President Bush and public opinion. I was particularly struck by this chart:

And by this explanation for it:

What might have damaged Bush’s legacy most was his administration’s mixed record of competent governance. Between Iraq, the government’s flawed relief effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and more minor missteps over the Dubai ports issue and other matters, the government “brand” deteriorated badly during the Bush years. In late April 2008, just 37% expressed a favorable view of the federal government, about half of the percentage of five years earlier (73%).