President Reagan had a solid average approval rating throughout his presidency. He finished with a 52.8% approval rating. Reagan came into office on a fairly high note, with initial job approval ratings as high as 60% by mid-March 1981. Then, on March 30, Reagan was shot on the streets of Washington by John Hinckley Jr., and the resulting concern and sympathy helped lift his ratings to a high of 68% by May. In 1983, he had an all time low of 35%. Reagan slowly picked up his rating though the next two years and continued to soar in 1985, routinely receiving ratings in the 60% range. In May 1986, Reagan received a 68% job approval rating, tied for the highest of his administration. Then, in November 1986, the Iran-Contra affair broke into the
