Many U.S. Presidents who had very poor approval ratings while in office, are sometimes thought of with more charity after they left office.[5] Former presidents are sometimes thought of in non-political terms. People remember their accomplishments more than their misdeeds, mistakes or shortcomings.[5] For example, most Americans rate Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Regan higher after they left office.[5] Other presidents have raised their poor ratings while in office by what they did after they were president.[5] These include Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush.[5] If not called statesmen, they might be considered to be elder statesmen. Some ex-presidents may never be thought of as anything more than a politician and are not treated kindly by history. These include James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon.[6]
