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Will history judge George W. Bush more kindly than his contemporaries have?

The man himself seems fairly indifferent.

"I don't think he really cares much at all, to be honest with you," says Kevin Sullivan, who served as White House communications director during Bush's second term. "I think he cares very little about where his approval rating stands today, compared to 2005 or 2008."

His supporters care. With the opening of his presidential library and museum Thursday in Dallas, they have been making the case that he will be like a latter-day Harry S. Truman — derided as he left office, but seen as a success later on.

"The perspective of history will treat Bush better than Bush is being treated now," says former GOP Rep. Dennis Hastert of Illinois, who served as House speaker for much of Bush's tenure.

Many historians are skeptical, saying they doubt that Bush's accomplishments will be held in higher regard in years to come than they do now.

Given the 43rd president's record on transparency, meanwhile, they say the opening of Bush's library won't do the single most important thing that might revive his reputation — give them any kind of early look at the still-classified documents it holds.

Ready For Rehab

Recent ex-presidents have tended to be viewed more kindly after leaving office than during their terms. Here's a look at how four former presidents have fared.

Bill Clinton — Up

Average approval rating in office: 55 percent

Average rating after leaving: 60 percent

Impeachment and the pardons scandal have mostly been forgotten. Democrats view him as a hero, while most Americans think back fondly on a presidency that offered both peace and prosperity.

George H.W. Bush — Up

Average approval rating in office: 61 percent

Average rating after leaving: 66 percent

The first President Bush was unable to win re-election but has since garnered credit for managing the end of the Cold War and for a controversial budget deal that helped erase the federal deficit.

Ronald Reagan — Up

Average approval rating in office: 53 percent

Average rating after leaving: 64 percent

Reagan has become almost the patron saint of the modern GOP, and even many of those who criticized him during his presidency retrospectively admire his achievement in staring down the Soviets.

Jimmy Carter — Mixed

Average approval rating in office: 46 percent

Average rating after leaving: 56 percent

By fighting disease, building homes and monitoring elections, Carter reshaped the job of ex-president. Although his approval rating has risen, memories of his actual presidency haven't grown rosy, and he remains controversial with more recent positions on issues such as Israel and Palestinian statehood.

— Alan Greenblatt; polling data from Gallup report published April 25.