[Grey]

[ QUOTE ]
Sort of like how Clinton had great approval ratings all through his presidency, including his second term, and then Gore wiped the mat with his opponent in the 2000 election?

[/ QUOTE ]I wouldn't call winning the popular vote by 1.5 million "wiping the mat", but yes.

Generally when one President holds office for 8 years, his party will lose the White House the next term (3 out of 4 in the 20th century ... and the one time GHWB won, the Dems put forth a pretty weak candidate).

Also, only twice since 1934 has the President's party picked up seats in Congress during an off-year election: Once was during Clinton's term, when he had high approval ratings, and the other time was right after 9-11 when Bush's approval ratings were astronomic, and we were buildling up to Iraq.

Also Clinton didn't have great approval ratings all through his presidency like you state. He was anomaly whose approval ratings rose (from a pretty low beginning) throughout his presidency instead of staying even or dropping. Since polling has come out, he's the only President to do that.

Edit: Damn you Jedster.