CBS News poll analysis: How public opinion changed about President Jimmy Carter [Video]

The CBS News poll was launched back in 1976, so President Carter was the first president that CBS polling covered for his full term in office. We looked back into our archives at how the public viewed Mr. Carter during those years.

Looking back, Americans today view former President Jimmy Carter more positively than they did at the end of tenure in office.

When Carter left office in 1981, the public was divided in their assessment of his presidency and negative in their view of him personally. While seen by the public as intelligent and caring, Carter suffered from a perceived lack of leadership ability — a shortcoming that was particularly notable in contrast to his Republican successor in the Oval Office, Ronald Reagan. Public approval of Carter declined as the U.S. was faced with a number of economic challenges, including high inflation, high unemployment, and the 1979 energy crisis, and international challenges as well, notably the Iran hostage …