Surprise! America prefers George W. Bush over Barack Obama.

Poll confirms that Bush is more popular.

Yes, you read that right! A new CNN/ORC poll has yielded one particularly surprising result: former president George W. Bush is more popular that current president Barack Obama. Whereas Bush is seen favorably by 52% of those surveyed, Obama clocks in at a favorability rating of just 49%.

And while 43% of respondents still view our 43rd president unfavorably, Obama again fares worse with a 49%.

According to Politico, this is the first time in over a decade that Bush has been this popular:

The last time Bush polled in positive territory was in early April 2005, close to three months into his second term.

A sitting president goes up and down in popularity, so these results can somewhat be explained away by the passage of time and the softening of memories. Indeed, this same poll showed George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton as being very popular. Even Jimmy Carter fared better than Obama.

We, however, offer a different take on these results. Could it possibly be that George W. Bush is popular because he spends his time doing this:

George W. Bush while on a 100k bike ride with wounded warriors. (Photo courtesy Bush Center)

While Obama prefers doing this:

Golfing. Of course. (Photo via AP)

Might have something to do with it.

Featured image via Bettmann/CORBIS