Forty-one percent of Americans say that G. W. Bush is the worst president in U.S. history. Thankfully for Bush, 50% said, “Well, maybe he isn’t the worst.”

I’m tempted to side with the 41% percent. The Republic is still standing, and anyone worse than Bush would surely have brought it down. On the other hand, Buchanan or Johnson might have been worse. If the question had been worded “worst president in living memory“, then Bush definitely. And for “worst ever”, Bush is on the short list. I do think, however, that 2001–2008 will go down in history as the time when constitutional government in America was the most endangered.

But there was one stat that reminded me yet again that most people who still identify as Republican are unimpeded by such things as reality and good sense.

While 61% of Americans overall say Bush has been bad for the Republican Party, only 28% of Republicans themselves agree. On the other hand, 81% of Democrats – and 68% of unaffiliated voters — rate the president as bad for the GOP.

Imagine. About 70% of Republicans don’t think Bush has been particularly bad for the GOP brand. Why, no. With GOP party identification dropping, and record numbers of Republican congress-critters retiring, Bush has had what can only be described as a salubrious effect on the Party.

I’d have thought Republicans would throw Bush under the bus what with elections coming, but no, they still hold him dear. They really do live in a different universe.