He deserves the increased support.

to unite the nation.

But, that's the French way--everyone is calling for a calm, reasoned response, and cautioning against over-reaction à l'américaine.

approval rating. I too well remember what President G.W. Bush did with his after 9/11.

that point in my comments, but forgot.

With the French press and public being "en garde" against excesses à l'américaine, I expect him to proceed with caution.

Last edited Mon Jan 19, 2015, 03:22 PM - Edit history (1)

these types of approval bumps rarely last, and any new incidents could actually cause a precipitous approval decline, and his leadership after the Hebdo and Kosher grocery attacks do not reflect new confidence in his economic policies, which were blamed for his prior atrocious polling numbers.

I imagine that Hollande will try to continue to focus on more popular anti-terrorism and foreign policy matters in order to maintain some of the approval bump, and pray mightily that his approval never returns to his abysmal 19% before the attacks. If anyone thinks he will try to use his new still under majority approval to push socialist economic policies that originally killed his approval numbers, I expect them to be very disappointed.

has had such abysmal numbers since polling began.

True enough, his improved ratings in no way reflect increased confidence in his administration's management of the economy.

sky-high unemployment (under 25's especially), unrealistic voter expectations, perceived 'whimpy' personality, unkept promises, etc. etc. etc.

but Bush used his to carry him to re-election. Sigh.

I don't know why someone's approval goes up when one doesn't do anything to merit it. Sigh again.

people will tend to support the sane.