Full Version: US Presidential Rankings
This is a debate that is very subjective, but perhaps it could be interesting.
There have been many polls related to presidential performance done by a wide range of historians. An example is here: Presidential Rankings
But, since Washington, Roosevelt, and Lincoln were in office before the majority of people in the US (and this forum) were even born, I think a more relevant debate would be related to presidents in the last 50 years.
Starting with Eisenhower to our current president:
1. Who was the best president, and why?
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
3. Who was the most over-rated?
4. Who was the most under-rated?
There have been many polls related to presidential performance done by a wide range of historians. An example is here: Presidential Rankings
But, since Washington, Roosevelt, and Lincoln were in office before the majority of people in the US (and this forum) were even born, I think a more relevant debate would be related to presidents in the last 50 years.
Starting with Eisenhower to our current president:
1. Who was the best president, and why?
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
3. Who was the most over-rated?
4. Who was the most under-rated?
Moved to Casual Conversation. This is not really debate but list-making. As evidenced by the responses some have made already to this thread, nothing constructive can come of this in debate form.
You all are required to remain civil to each other.
You all are required to remain civil to each other.
1. Reagan; he was loved by the people, he was very charming and charismatic, and he is credited with ending the cold war. He was also one of few presidents with a good sense of humor, but that's an extra plus.
2. Jimmy Carter; he was a nice, decent, and honest man. Sadly, he really didn't do much for our country in multiple times of crisis and left the office without even coming close to stopping the Iran hostage situation.
3. I'd say Clinton is over-rated, generally, especially with this nonsense of making him one of those top 25 Americans on the Discovery special. He was ok, but really he wasn't stellar and gets a lot more praise than I think he deserves.
4. Eisenhower is under-rated by most people, in my opinion. I think he deserves all the praise he can get, and is one of my favorite presidents. He really got some great things accomplished for our country.
2. Jimmy Carter; he was a nice, decent, and honest man. Sadly, he really didn't do much for our country in multiple times of crisis and left the office without even coming close to stopping the Iran hostage situation.
3. I'd say Clinton is over-rated, generally, especially with this nonsense of making him one of those top 25 Americans on the Discovery special. He was ok, but really he wasn't stellar and gets a lot more praise than I think he deserves.
4. Eisenhower is under-rated by most people, in my opinion. I think he deserves all the praise he can get, and is one of my favorite presidents. He really got some great things accomplished for our country.
1. Who was the best president, and why?
Bill Clinton. Through his innovative strategys, he actually fixed the economy. Id like to hear you tell me of any of other president since the great depression who was able to do that (like tax cuts have ever done us much good...). He was also very tolerant, and didnt fall into the habit of considering his political opponents bad people.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
I suppose Nixon. I don't know all that much about him, but from what I have heard, he was extremely corrupt, and used nuclear intimidation in diplomacy
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Ronald Reagan. I mean sure he was charismatic, but look at what he did to the deficit!, and the cold war wasn't ended because we threw money at it, the cold war was ended because the last bolshevik died. He did solve many of the problems he inherited from Jimmy Carter, but I dont think thats soley enough to warrant the kind of praise he gets.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
I probably don't know (because there is a good chance I haven't heard of him), but I would have to guess Jimmy Carter. He had the misfortune of inheriting a lot of problems, but he was pretty much the only honest president in history. This honesty is in part why he wasn't able to solve the problems which confronted him, because he was unwilling to commit moves like the Iran-Contra affair in order to bring them to a closure. One thing about him (which my father remembers particularly well), was the 3-mile island affair. All of the scientists were arguing over whether or not the plant was going to blow, and the public couldn't get a straight answer whether to evacuate or not. So Jimmy Carter (who had a background in Atomic Engineering), listened to both sides of the scientific argument, and decided that the plant wasn't going to blow. To convince the public that, he personally (at great risk to himself, if he was wrong) flew to and landed on the island.
Bill Clinton. Through his innovative strategys, he actually fixed the economy. Id like to hear you tell me of any of other president since the great depression who was able to do that (like tax cuts have ever done us much good...). He was also very tolerant, and didnt fall into the habit of considering his political opponents bad people.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
I suppose Nixon. I don't know all that much about him, but from what I have heard, he was extremely corrupt, and used nuclear intimidation in diplomacy
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Ronald Reagan. I mean sure he was charismatic, but look at what he did to the deficit!, and the cold war wasn't ended because we threw money at it, the cold war was ended because the last bolshevik died. He did solve many of the problems he inherited from Jimmy Carter, but I dont think thats soley enough to warrant the kind of praise he gets.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
I probably don't know (because there is a good chance I haven't heard of him), but I would have to guess Jimmy Carter. He had the misfortune of inheriting a lot of problems, but he was pretty much the only honest president in history. This honesty is in part why he wasn't able to solve the problems which confronted him, because he was unwilling to commit moves like the Iran-Contra affair in order to bring them to a closure. One thing about him (which my father remembers particularly well), was the 3-mile island affair. All of the scientists were arguing over whether or not the plant was going to blow, and the public couldn't get a straight answer whether to evacuate or not. So Jimmy Carter (who had a background in Atomic Engineering), listened to both sides of the scientific argument, and decided that the plant wasn't going to blow. To convince the public that, he personally (at great risk to himself, if he was wrong) flew to and landed on the island.
1) Best president- Theodore Roosevelt- he almost single handedly modernized America ahead of even the British empire at the time, bringing us from a backwater colony to a super power within the next 50 years- I credit our ability to fight WW2 to him, his modernization of the military and navy. Truly great man, with his starting of the Parks system as well. Can't say enough about him!
2) Worst president- Ronald Reagan. Did absolutley nothing positive in his presidency and started the religious/corporate takeover of this country, used division and hatred to secure his base, and started the era of the evil handlers (Lee Atwater, who deservedly got a brain tumor and died) his only effective legacy is the rise of the neo-con, he even betrayed the old gaurd fiscal conservative with his drunken sailor spending spree. Can't say enough bad about him.
Honorable mention for horrible : Calvin Coolidge- proving that govermevnt staying out of business leads to massive corruption and a depression.
3) Most under-rated- I would say a tie between Truman and Eisenhour. I realize they are still talked about- but I think the scope of thier leadership is what caused the prosperity of the 50s and 60s
4) Most over-rated- any conservative president- there is no version of a "conservative" that has EVER done any good for this country. They all represent a giant step backwards in each and every case. From horrible fiscal policies to divisive politics, pitting one group through scapegoating against others.
2) Worst president- Ronald Reagan. Did absolutley nothing positive in his presidency and started the religious/corporate takeover of this country, used division and hatred to secure his base, and started the era of the evil handlers (Lee Atwater, who deservedly got a brain tumor and died) his only effective legacy is the rise of the neo-con, he even betrayed the old gaurd fiscal conservative with his drunken sailor spending spree. Can't say enough bad about him.
Honorable mention for horrible : Calvin Coolidge- proving that govermevnt staying out of business leads to massive corruption and a depression.
3) Most under-rated- I would say a tie between Truman and Eisenhour. I realize they are still talked about- but I think the scope of thier leadership is what caused the prosperity of the 50s and 60s
4) Most over-rated- any conservative president- there is no version of a "conservative" that has EVER done any good for this country. They all represent a giant step backwards in each and every case. From horrible fiscal policies to divisive politics, pitting one group through scapegoating against others.
QUOTE(CruisingRam @ Jun 15 2005, 11:27 AM)
1) Best president- Theodore Roosevelt- he almost single handedly modernized America ahead of even the British empire at the time, bringing us from a backwater colony to a super power within the next 50 years- I credit our ability to fight WW2 to him, his modernization of the military and navy. Truly great man, with his starting of the Parks system as well. Can't say enough about him!
2) Worst president- Ronald Reagan. Did absolutley nothing positive in his presidency and started the religious/corporate takeover of this country, used division and hatred to secure his base, and started the era of the evil handlers (Lee Atwater, who deservedly got a brain tumor and died) his only effective legacy is the rise of the neo-con, he even betrayed the old gaurd fiscal conservative with his drunken sailor spending spree. Can't say enough bad about him.
Honorable mention for horrible : Calvin Coolidge- proving that govermevnt staying out of business leads to massive corruption and a depression.
3) Most under-rated- I would say a tie between Truman and Eisenhour. I realize they are still talked about- but I think the scope of thier leadership is what caused the prosperity of the 50s and 60s
4) Most over-rated- any conservative president- there is no version of a "conservative" that has EVER done any good for this country. They all represent a giant step backwards in each and every case. From horrible fiscal policies to divisive politics, pitting one group through scapegoating against others.
2) Worst president- Ronald Reagan. Did absolutley nothing positive in his presidency and started the religious/corporate takeover of this country, used division and hatred to secure his base, and started the era of the evil handlers (Lee Atwater, who deservedly got a brain tumor and died) his only effective legacy is the rise of the neo-con, he even betrayed the old gaurd fiscal conservative with his drunken sailor spending spree. Can't say enough bad about him.
Honorable mention for horrible : Calvin Coolidge- proving that govermevnt staying out of business leads to massive corruption and a depression.
3) Most under-rated- I would say a tie between Truman and Eisenhour. I realize they are still talked about- but I think the scope of thier leadership is what caused the prosperity of the 50s and 60s
4) Most over-rated- any conservative president- there is no version of a "conservative" that has EVER done any good for this country. They all represent a giant step backwards in each and every case. From horrible fiscal policies to divisive politics, pitting one group through scapegoating against others.
The question was posed starting with Eisenhower and limited to 50 years ago.
Can you edit your response to reflect the question asked?
1. Who was the best president, and why?
In my opinion, LBJ was the greatest president of the past 50 years. His "Great Society" brought forth a lot of fantastic legislation and he was a phenomenal politician and a very intelligent man. A lot of the Vietnam woes were inherited and I don't think he's given enough credit for his successes by those who focus entirely on Vietnam. He had flaws when it came to foreign policy issues, but I think the good he did at home far exceeds the flaws he had internationally (and again, much of that was inherited).
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Bush Jr. Everything he's done since he's been in power has been detrimental to the future of the United States. He's dead set on making HIS morals OUR morals and he's been a horrible failure internationally.
3. Who was the most over-rated? I'd say it's a tie between Kennedy and Reagan. Both are put on a pedestal by their respective parties for reasons that continue to baffle me.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
Again, LBJ. He did fantastic things for our country and he was progressive as opposed to reactionary - that's something we deseperately need right now.
In my opinion, LBJ was the greatest president of the past 50 years. His "Great Society" brought forth a lot of fantastic legislation and he was a phenomenal politician and a very intelligent man. A lot of the Vietnam woes were inherited and I don't think he's given enough credit for his successes by those who focus entirely on Vietnam. He had flaws when it came to foreign policy issues, but I think the good he did at home far exceeds the flaws he had internationally (and again, much of that was inherited).
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Bush Jr. Everything he's done since he's been in power has been detrimental to the future of the United States. He's dead set on making HIS morals OUR morals and he's been a horrible failure internationally.
3. Who was the most over-rated? I'd say it's a tie between Kennedy and Reagan. Both are put on a pedestal by their respective parties for reasons that continue to baffle me.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
Again, LBJ. He did fantastic things for our country and he was progressive as opposed to reactionary - that's something we deseperately need right now.
There is a slight flaw in limiting this to the past fifty years. Generally it is necessary to have about a generation, at least twenty-five years after a president leaves office, before historians can get a dispassionate perspective. Within that period documents are declassified and historians are better able to fit the president into his times. I would, therefore eliminate Clinton and both Bushes because we lack important documents and historical perspective.
Edited to add:
Reagan took office on Jan 20, 24 years ago and left 16 years ago in January. This would put him on the outer cusp of presidents we can evaluate objectively. Because people are living longer and records are sometimes sealed until certain participants have died, the period of waiting may need to be expanded to 30 or 35 years before we begin to get definitive ratings.
1. Who was the best president, and why?
I think this is the hardest of the four questions. Although Lyndon B. Johnson’s handling of the war in Vietnam was a fiasco, the SEATO treaty and domino theory under which it was fought, came about under the Eisenhower. Although Kennedy biographer Robert Dallek (also Johnson’s biographer) argues that Kennedy planned to withdraw from the area after the 1964 election it was Kennedy who put thew first military advisors in Vietnam. Johnson’s handling of Vietnam can be mitigated in that he partially inherited the problem from two previous administrations. His successor, Richard Nixon, who had a secret plan to end the war in his first term, didn’t until the second.
Johnson’s legislative skill in passing long overdue civil and voting acts and a whole plethora of domestic legislationspeak well for him, especially in a field limited to half a century.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
As the 1972 Republican National Convention slogan said, "Nixon's the one." Nixon could kept power easily after his landslide reelection, but he let paranoia get him to the point that some of the Watergate and Watergate related activities struck at the core of civil liberties and drove him from office.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Unless one likes a sharp right turn in the direction of the country, then many of Reagan’s actions, including the breaking of the air traffic controllers union, do not speak well for him.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
I would place Eisenhower second to Johnson. His ability to work with a Democratic majority and the House and Senate leader's, Sam Rayburn and Lyndon Johnson, willingness to work with him was perhaps the last display of bipartisan leadership.
Edited to add:
Reagan took office on Jan 20, 24 years ago and left 16 years ago in January. This would put him on the outer cusp of presidents we can evaluate objectively. Because people are living longer and records are sometimes sealed until certain participants have died, the period of waiting may need to be expanded to 30 or 35 years before we begin to get definitive ratings.
1. Who was the best president, and why?
I think this is the hardest of the four questions. Although Lyndon B. Johnson’s handling of the war in Vietnam was a fiasco, the SEATO treaty and domino theory under which it was fought, came about under the Eisenhower. Although Kennedy biographer Robert Dallek (also Johnson’s biographer) argues that Kennedy planned to withdraw from the area after the 1964 election it was Kennedy who put thew first military advisors in Vietnam. Johnson’s handling of Vietnam can be mitigated in that he partially inherited the problem from two previous administrations. His successor, Richard Nixon, who had a secret plan to end the war in his first term, didn’t until the second.
Johnson’s legislative skill in passing long overdue civil and voting acts and a whole plethora of domestic legislationspeak well for him, especially in a field limited to half a century.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
As the 1972 Republican National Convention slogan said, "Nixon's the one." Nixon could kept power easily after his landslide reelection, but he let paranoia get him to the point that some of the Watergate and Watergate related activities struck at the core of civil liberties and drove him from office.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Unless one likes a sharp right turn in the direction of the country, then many of Reagan’s actions, including the breaking of the air traffic controllers union, do not speak well for him.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
I would place Eisenhower second to Johnson. His ability to work with a Democratic majority and the House and Senate leader's, Sam Rayburn and Lyndon Johnson, willingness to work with him was perhaps the last display of bipartisan leadership.
The Best President: Thomas Jefferson-He expanded the idea of personal liberty and helped out the "common worker" [farmer at the time] by passing pro-agrarian policies, also, he rejected the big gov't Federalist's idea of a strong national gov't, probably our best state's rights president.
The Worst President: Well, since Franklin Pierce hasn't been President for a hundred years he's not elligible, and I look like an idiot...again. So okay, the last 50 years...Probably Nixon, no real explanation needed.
Most Overrated: FDR/Lincoln [hears gasps from Republicans], yeah, he saved the Union, and destroyed state's rights. The US of A was founded on secession, and it was hypocritical to start the Civil War, a war, I might add, that was basically to help save a bunch of US taxdollars from leaving, it had nothing to do with slavery. Roosevelt helped socialize the country and create an enormous mess that we are dealing with today.
Most Underrated: Nixon. Hey, here me out. The man was the devil okay, but he did some decent things while in office. I still thinks he's probably the second worst president ever, but he is slightly underrated.
CP
The Worst President: Well, since Franklin Pierce hasn't been President for a hundred years he's not elligible, and I look like an idiot...again. So okay, the last 50 years...Probably Nixon, no real explanation needed.
Most Overrated: FDR/Lincoln [hears gasps from Republicans], yeah, he saved the Union, and destroyed state's rights. The US of A was founded on secession, and it was hypocritical to start the Civil War, a war, I might add, that was basically to help save a bunch of US taxdollars from leaving, it had nothing to do with slavery. Roosevelt helped socialize the country and create an enormous mess that we are dealing with today.
Most Underrated: Nixon. Hey, here me out. The man was the devil okay, but he did some decent things while in office. I still thinks he's probably the second worst president ever, but he is slightly underrated.
CP
QUOTE(A left Handed person @ Jun 15 2005, 08:06 AM)
1. Who was the best president, and why?
Bill Clinton. Through his innovative strategys, he actually fixed the economy. Id like to hear you tell me of any of other president since the great depression who was able to do that (like tax cuts have ever done us much good...). He was also very tolerant, and didnt fall into the habit of considering his political opponents bad people.
Bill Clinton. Through his innovative strategys, he actually fixed the economy. Id like to hear you tell me of any of other president since the great depression who was able to do that (like tax cuts have ever done us much good...). He was also very tolerant, and didnt fall into the habit of considering his political opponents bad people.
Per your remark on tax cuts and fixing the economy, you may want to read up on John F Kennedy, the man who coined the phrase "a rising tide lifts all boats."
QUOTE(CruisingRam @ Jun 15 2005, 10:27 AM)
1) Best president- Theodore Roosevelt- he almost single handedly modernized America ahead of even the British empire at the time, bringing us from a backwater colony to a super power within the next 50 years- I credit our ability to fight WW2 to him, his modernization of the military and navy. Truly great man, with his starting of the Parks system as well. Can't say enough about him!
2) Worst president- Ronald Reagan. Did absolutley nothing positive in his presidency and started the religious/corporate takeover of this country, used division and hatred to secure his base, and started the era of the evil handlers (Lee Atwater, who deservedly got a brain tumor and died) his only effective legacy is the rise of the neo-con, he even betrayed the old gaurd fiscal conservative with his drunken sailor spending spree. Can't say enough bad about him.
Honorable mention for horrible : Calvin Coolidge- proving that govermevnt staying out of business leads to massive corruption and a depression.
3) Most under-rated- I would say a tie between Truman and Eisenhour. I realize they are still talked about- but I think the scope of thier leadership is what caused the prosperity of the 50s and 60s
4) Most over-rated- any conservative president- there is no version of a "conservative" that has EVER done any good for this country. They all represent a giant step backwards in each and every case. From horrible fiscal policies to divisive politics, pitting one group through scapegoating against others.
2) Worst president- Ronald Reagan. Did absolutley nothing positive in his presidency and started the religious/corporate takeover of this country, used division and hatred to secure his base, and started the era of the evil handlers (Lee Atwater, who deservedly got a brain tumor and died) his only effective legacy is the rise of the neo-con, he even betrayed the old gaurd fiscal conservative with his drunken sailor spending spree. Can't say enough bad about him.
Honorable mention for horrible : Calvin Coolidge- proving that govermevnt staying out of business leads to massive corruption and a depression.
3) Most under-rated- I would say a tie between Truman and Eisenhour. I realize they are still talked about- but I think the scope of thier leadership is what caused the prosperity of the 50s and 60s
4) Most over-rated- any conservative president- there is no version of a "conservative" that has EVER done any good for this country. They all represent a giant step backwards in each and every case. From horrible fiscal policies to divisive politics, pitting one group through scapegoating against others.
GREAT JOB SPEWING THE ANTI-CONSERVATIVE RHETORIC!!!!!!
The funny thing is that you gave not even one iota of objective information on your post. All your post did was talk about how much you loathe conservatives.
How about something like...
Clinton- undoubtedly the worst president of our time
1. Brought scandals such as Whitewater to the whitehouse.
2. Never introduced a single piece of legislation that led to the grand economy the liberals in America would like to attribute to him (prove me wrong...oh, but you can't. )
3. Ignored multiple terrorist attacks on our soil.
4. Allowed the Rwandan Genocide, which was nearly as bad as the holocaust. (I have no idea why minorities in America like this guy!)
5. Took soft money campaign contributions from known American enemies.
6. Took furniture from the whitehouse (what was that?!?!?!)
7. Had the ugliest daughter in the Whitehouse in History (ok, that was a cheapshot)
8. Took us to War in Bosnia and supported the same company Liberals loathe-Halliburton with millions in Contracts (why were we in Bosnia again?). Had it been GW it would've been a "conspiracy"....
Should I go on??? Naw... I'll get back to work. Chew on that.
1. Who was the best president, and why?I think I will go with Gerald Ford. The man did absolutely nothing at a time when nothing was the only right thing to do. At any other period of time he would have been over his head.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?Eisenhower hands down. Chances are he could have ended the Cold War in 1956 by announcing that the US recognized the Independent Hungarian government, went out and played golf instead.
3. Who was the most over-rated?Kennedy - Except for the Bay of Pigs, really didn't do a whole lot. Couldn't get a bill through Congress if he hand carried it on his hands and knees.
4. Who was the most under-rated?Johnson - Hated his handling of the War in Vietnam and most of his politics. Was one of the most effective Presidents ever. Ranks with TR, FDR as one of the most able men to get their agenda through Congress. LBJ knew where all the bodies were, he buried most of them during his tenure on the Hill.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?Eisenhower hands down. Chances are he could have ended the Cold War in 1956 by announcing that the US recognized the Independent Hungarian government, went out and played golf instead.
3. Who was the most over-rated?Kennedy - Except for the Bay of Pigs, really didn't do a whole lot. Couldn't get a bill through Congress if he hand carried it on his hands and knees.
4. Who was the most under-rated?Johnson - Hated his handling of the War in Vietnam and most of his politics. Was one of the most effective Presidents ever. Ranks with TR, FDR as one of the most able men to get their agenda through Congress. LBJ knew where all the bodies were, he buried most of them during his tenure on the Hill.
1. Who was the best president, and why?
A difficult question, as I am not much impressed by any of them. I suppose that that single most brilliant presidential act of the last 50 years was Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon, and for that reason I'll go with Gerald Ford. The country was riven by Watergate, and Ford put an end to the divisiveness. He supported legislation that provided new safeguards against abuse of Presidential power. The country he inherited was in crisis; the country he left was whole again. He was a true uniter -- and that's the finest form of leadership.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Undeniably the current president. Mr. Bush has created a monster deficit, taken us into an unnecessary war, destroyed long-cultivated relationships with other nations, divided the country like none before, and -- most important of all -- devastated the concept of the rule of law.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Ronald Reagan. Mr. Reagan didn't do much good for the country, and he assaulted the rule of law with the Iran-Contra scandal. He was definitely a nice guy, and his visionary approach to strategic nuclear weapons was certainly well-intentioned, but he just didn't have a solid grasp on reality. The Star Wars concept was without technical merit. His economic theories were silly. Worst of all, his Secretary of the Interior banished the Beach Boys from a celebration on The Mall!
4. Who was the most under-rated?
Jimmy Carter. He was exactly what this country needed after Vietnam and Watergate: a decent, honest man of peace. His National Energy Plan got this country moving in the right direction on energy issues, and he improved relations with other nations. Most important, he was a uniter, not a divider.
A difficult question, as I am not much impressed by any of them. I suppose that that single most brilliant presidential act of the last 50 years was Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon, and for that reason I'll go with Gerald Ford. The country was riven by Watergate, and Ford put an end to the divisiveness. He supported legislation that provided new safeguards against abuse of Presidential power. The country he inherited was in crisis; the country he left was whole again. He was a true uniter -- and that's the finest form of leadership.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Undeniably the current president. Mr. Bush has created a monster deficit, taken us into an unnecessary war, destroyed long-cultivated relationships with other nations, divided the country like none before, and -- most important of all -- devastated the concept of the rule of law.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Ronald Reagan. Mr. Reagan didn't do much good for the country, and he assaulted the rule of law with the Iran-Contra scandal. He was definitely a nice guy, and his visionary approach to strategic nuclear weapons was certainly well-intentioned, but he just didn't have a solid grasp on reality. The Star Wars concept was without technical merit. His economic theories were silly. Worst of all, his Secretary of the Interior banished the Beach Boys from a celebration on The Mall!
4. Who was the most under-rated?
Jimmy Carter. He was exactly what this country needed after Vietnam and Watergate: a decent, honest man of peace. His National Energy Plan got this country moving in the right direction on energy issues, and he improved relations with other nations. Most important, he was a uniter, not a divider.
1. Who was the best president, and why?
Last 50 years?
- I would have to go with Truman- I think him and eisenhour were the last decent men to hold the office and be effective.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Reagan- he would have to win at the same time with most over-rated- a double prize!
Most under rated?
I guess it would have to be LBJ upon further introspection- I didn't agree with him on many of his policies- but I suppose, since FDR, he was by far the most effective president in recent history.
But Clinton would get an honorable mention in every category-
Best president- he was completely competant for the job- he sought compromise on issues instead of just deciding on "his" vision as the best answer- sure, not everybody was pleased as punch, but he did the most to compromise- truly the best path for an open and diverse society. Using one mans vision and praising them as "good character, steadfastness" etc is much better suited for a dictatorship
Worst PResident- he couldn't keep little willy in his pants- and thereby ruined any legacy of centrism he might have found
Most over-rated- Hey, it wasn't like he invented the internet or anything
Most under-rated- most poeple don't realize how large the scope of some of his programs reached, and how much his paying down of the debt helped create the low interest rates we still enjoy today. His ability to fathom some of the complexity of the US economic system and combine that with effective politics was with out peer.
Last 50 years?
- I would have to go with Truman- I think him and eisenhour were the last decent men to hold the office and be effective. 2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Reagan- he would have to win at the same time with most over-rated- a double prize!
Most under rated?
I guess it would have to be LBJ upon further introspection- I didn't agree with him on many of his policies- but I suppose, since FDR, he was by far the most effective president in recent history.
But Clinton would get an honorable mention in every category-
Best president- he was completely competant for the job- he sought compromise on issues instead of just deciding on "his" vision as the best answer- sure, not everybody was pleased as punch, but he did the most to compromise- truly the best path for an open and diverse society. Using one mans vision and praising them as "good character, steadfastness" etc is much better suited for a dictatorship
Worst PResident- he couldn't keep little willy in his pants- and thereby ruined any legacy of centrism he might have found
Most over-rated- Hey, it wasn't like he invented the internet or anything
Most under-rated- most poeple don't realize how large the scope of some of his programs reached, and how much his paying down of the debt helped create the low interest rates we still enjoy today. His ability to fathom some of the complexity of the US economic system and combine that with effective politics was with out peer.
QUOTE(lordhelmet @ Jun 15 2005, 07:14 AM)
This is a debate that is very subjective, but perhaps it could be interesting.
There have been many polls related to presidential performance done by a wide range of historians. An example is here: Presidential Rankings
But, since Washington, Roosevelt, and Lincoln were in office before the majority of people in the US (and this forum) were even born, I think a more relevant debate would be related to presidents in the last 50 years.
Starting with Eisenhower to our current president:
1. Who was the best president, and why?
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
3. Who was the most over-rated?
4. Who was the most under-rated?
1. The best president in the last 50 years was Ronald Reagan. No question about it. He made the biggest impact during that time. He restored America's pride and enthusiasm after the malaise of Jimmy Carter and the post-Vietnam-Watergate country, he picked us up and showed us an optimistic future. His confrontation with the Soviets essentially ended the festering cold war thus freeing millions in Eastern Europe from oppression and lifting the threat of nuclear holocaust from the US. His insistence on economic freedom paved the ways for the prosperity of the 1980's and 1990's and changed the old mentality of staglflation as a norm. Reagan will be an entire chapter in the history books 50 years from now. His impact was global. It was far reaching. It transformed the Republican party and an entire generations of politically active people to follow. Our current president deserves honorable mention in this category. The jury is still out, but the courage of George W. Bush in confronting terror and terrorists and his willingness to take the risks required to "fundamentally" change the middle-east may one day be seen to be as visionary, as bold, and so ground breaking as Reagan's 8 years.
2. The worst president in the past 50 years, by far, was Jimmy Carter. It was so bad that he was a debacle that was perfect for the mid 1970's. Carter is a fitting partner to disco, the 55 mph speedlimit, CB radio, boycotted olympics, 18% mortgage rates, and America ineptness as horrifically viewed during the Iranian hostage crises. His 4 years seemed liked 10.... in a gulag. Not only was Carter the worst president in the past 50 years but he's in the running for the worst of "all time". On top of it, he's been the worst ex-president in modern history causing trouble for all presidents in office (including the democrat Clinton) after his failed term.
3. Most over-rated? JFK Kennedy was in office for less than 3 years and many people forget that essential fact. On his watch, we had the Bay of Pigs debacle, the Cuban Missile Crises (which took place because Kruschev didn't take Kennedy seriously), and the initiation of the Vietnam war. One has to give credit to Kennedy for initiating the massive spending associated with the US space program... but the lion's share of that credit has to go to LBJ who was the force who got the program through congress. On top of it, the many "personal" dalliances that JFK indulged in had the possibility of blowing the top off of his administration if he ever saw a second term. Civil rights is an area where Kennedy gets a lot of credit but he really didn't give that subject any priority until the third year of his first term. His assassination raised him to hero status in the democratic party, and the country. But his personality and the tragedy of his death outshined his mixed record. Honorable mention in this category goes to Bubba, Mr. "I feel your pain" William Jefferson Clinton. He had the good luck of being in office during an economic boom fueled by y2k related spending, the rise of the wireless communications and the internet (and related PC, software, and infrastructure sectors) yet he squandered this historical position through his selfish obsessions and by ignoring brewing overseas threats posed by terrorist organizations and states. Clinton was largely a waste of time in my opinion.
4. Most under-rated? My fellow Michigander, Gerald Ford. A fine man and a good president. A person who took office, unelected, under the worst circumstances possible and left the office in finer shape than he took it. He was pummeled for his so-called clumsiness (yet, arguably the best athlete to hold the WH in the past 50 years as an ex University of Michigan football standout), survived several assassination attempts, and the hysterical post-watergate and held this country together. It's a shame that he lost (a close) election to Jimmy Carter who didn't continue the path toward improvement and instead took this country to greater depths than anyone thought possible. Second as under-rated was Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was a solid president who presided over a period of relative peace and prosperity. His mature approach to governance which was forged by his success in dealing with a large group of diverse allies during WWII served him well as president. I like Ike was a refrain during his presidency and there is something to be said for that. But, Ford gets the nod since he had to deal with far more pressing issues for his time.
I'll just take the most over-rated: Clinton
After promising to continue the Bush administration’s policy in the Gulf and active involvement in peace talks, he took a 10 billion dollar loan guarantee that Bush was offering as an exchange for constructive negotiations, and granted it unconditionally to Israel as one of his first presidential decisions. Then, he deviated from the terms under which the Madrid peace talks had been initiated, reversed the twenty-six year old American policy in a paper endorsing the Israeli claim that East Jerusalem and the rest of the West bank as disputed rather than occupied, so the Palestinians rejected it outright and peace talks were at an immediate impasse. Bush and Baker excluded the PLO in negotiation talks, but after Clinton reversed American policy and presented the Palestinians with this plan they could not accept, the PLO went out on its own and used the negotiating channel provided by the Norwegians. The Clinton government was left uninformed until shortly before the breakthrough was made public, but he was sure to be there for the photo op with Arafat, taking credit for the accord that was made in Oslo without him though the paperwork was signed in Washington so he could present himself as master of ceremonies.
IN no real order, other offenses: He approved a military-style assault on a compound of civilians with no criminal record or evidence of violent intent…. just suspected weapons law violations…resulting in the deaths of many to include young children. He trimmed the deficit through the peace dividend, slashing the military budget after the cold war while simultaneously increasing deployment rates for peacekeeping operations by 500 percent. He cut human intel (HUMINT) to the bone (that has come back to bite us, in spades, and will take years and years to make up for) and made the protocol for obtaining secret clearances in government less restrictive, as well as the lifting the ban on some technology-transfers to China. (oops
) He didn’t seem to know what to do with the middle east, so he just kept our forces flying, patrolling the no-fly zones and maintaining the status quo while billions were spent on manpower, fuel, and jet life expectancies…simultaneously infuriating the Muslims who resented our presence in the holy land during those years of ambivalence and ambiguity.
After promising to continue the Bush administration’s policy in the Gulf and active involvement in peace talks, he took a 10 billion dollar loan guarantee that Bush was offering as an exchange for constructive negotiations, and granted it unconditionally to Israel as one of his first presidential decisions. Then, he deviated from the terms under which the Madrid peace talks had been initiated, reversed the twenty-six year old American policy in a paper endorsing the Israeli claim that East Jerusalem and the rest of the West bank as disputed rather than occupied, so the Palestinians rejected it outright and peace talks were at an immediate impasse. Bush and Baker excluded the PLO in negotiation talks, but after Clinton reversed American policy and presented the Palestinians with this plan they could not accept, the PLO went out on its own and used the negotiating channel provided by the Norwegians. The Clinton government was left uninformed until shortly before the breakthrough was made public, but he was sure to be there for the photo op with Arafat, taking credit for the accord that was made in Oslo without him though the paperwork was signed in Washington so he could present himself as master of ceremonies.
IN no real order, other offenses: He approved a military-style assault on a compound of civilians with no criminal record or evidence of violent intent…. just suspected weapons law violations…resulting in the deaths of many to include young children. He trimmed the deficit through the peace dividend, slashing the military budget after the cold war while simultaneously increasing deployment rates for peacekeeping operations by 500 percent. He cut human intel (HUMINT) to the bone (that has come back to bite us, in spades, and will take years and years to make up for) and made the protocol for obtaining secret clearances in government less restrictive, as well as the lifting the ban on some technology-transfers to China. (oops
) He didn’t seem to know what to do with the middle east, so he just kept our forces flying, patrolling the no-fly zones and maintaining the status quo while billions were spent on manpower, fuel, and jet life expectancies…simultaneously infuriating the Muslims who resented our presence in the holy land during those years of ambivalence and ambiguity.
1. Who was the best president, and why?
Gah. I don't like any of them. Maybe Ford? He seems the least offensive to me
.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Bleh, this may not come as a surprise to you...but...drumroll...the current president, Dubya. Apart from foreign policy, it's the whole borrow and spend and spend and borrow thing which bothers me. No fiscal responsibility for that one.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
It's a toss up between Reagan and Clinton. Both are reviled and loved by significant portions of the population. Both are overrated.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
I'd have to say Nixon. By today's standards he'd be considered a raging liberal. He instituted the minimum wage and engaged communist China. Of course, there was the whole carpet bombing thing.... And then there was Watergate. But, I'd still say he was underrated.
Gah. I don't like any of them. Maybe Ford? He seems the least offensive to me
.2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Bleh, this may not come as a surprise to you...but...drumroll...the current president, Dubya. Apart from foreign policy, it's the whole borrow and spend and spend and borrow thing which bothers me. No fiscal responsibility for that one.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
It's a toss up between Reagan and Clinton. Both are reviled and loved by significant portions of the population. Both are overrated.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
I'd have to say Nixon. By today's standards he'd be considered a raging liberal. He instituted the minimum wage and engaged communist China. Of course, there was the whole carpet bombing thing.... And then there was Watergate. But, I'd still say he was underrated.
Wow I'm having a heck of a time reading the rules of the question. I just realized that in fact, Thomas Jefferson, ruled the country a scant 150 years before the time span in which I'm supposed to be rating the best President. I'll give it another try.
The Best President in the LAST 50 YEARS is: Wow, they really aren't an impressive bunch are they? I'll say JFK just because he did the least harm.
CP
The Best President in the LAST 50 YEARS is: Wow, they really aren't an impressive bunch are they? I'll say JFK just because he did the least harm.
CP
1. Who was the best president, and why?
Reagan, for the same reasons outlined by Lord-helmet.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
It's a toss up between Johnson and Nixon, but I have to tip it towards Johnson, simply because of the huge increases in government under his watch.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Clinton. Bill didn't get much done under his watch other than raise taxes, give nuclear power plants to North Korea and put women into combat. Other than that he was mired down by scandal and a Republican legislature.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
GWB. President Bush isn't my favorite, but I think he does a much better job than most realize.
Reagan, for the same reasons outlined by Lord-helmet.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
It's a toss up between Johnson and Nixon, but I have to tip it towards Johnson, simply because of the huge increases in government under his watch.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Clinton. Bill didn't get much done under his watch other than raise taxes, give nuclear power plants to North Korea and put women into combat. Other than that he was mired down by scandal and a Republican legislature.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
GWB. President Bush isn't my favorite, but I think he does a much better job than most realize.
QUOTE(ConservPat @ Jun 16 2005, 02:16 PM)
The Best President in the LAST 50 YEARS is: Wow, they really aren't an impressive bunch are they? I'll say JFK just because he did the least harm.
CP
CP
I truly believe that to be far from true. Take some time to read Ten Days by his brother... good book.
The Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missle Crisis had everything to do with Kennedy's handling of the Cuban refugees. Our anti-Soviet Policy nearly began a nuclear war and was one of the most volatile times in our history.
Not to mention that he was addicted to pain killers, ran around on his wife, etc, etc, etc. It's hard to support JFK with a track record like that, especially considering his length of term.
Best President: I would definitely have to tip my hat to JFK. Although I don't completely agree with the earlier comment that it was his "fault" for the Cuban Missile Crisis...I think his ability to calm tensions about that entire event is absolutely amazing.
Worst President: Spend spend spend...bomb bomb bomb...yea that sums up our current President Dubya. His administration and foreign policy have left a black mark on America's record that will be hard to erase.
Most Over-Rated: Reagan by far is the most over-rated President in the last 50 years. Not to put down the man on being a bad president...I mean he's responsible in truth to bringing America back on its feet...but he was a piece in the puzzle of bringing down the "Evil Empire." He wasn't the only component to be apart of the break up of the Soviet Union, there were many others (John Paul II, Gorbachev, and others).
Most Under-Rated: Jimmy Carter is the most under rated president in the last 50 years and maybe ever. He was a major player in foreign policy although it seems many things went wrong during his administration that he really had no control over (the Iranian Hostage Crisis, break up of Cento, and invasion of Afghanistan). Yet he brought together two of the most important players in world events, Sadat and Begin and got the Camp David Accords signed, ending major hostilities between the two countries which for almost 30 years been at war with one another.
Worst President: Spend spend spend...bomb bomb bomb...yea that sums up our current President Dubya. His administration and foreign policy have left a black mark on America's record that will be hard to erase.
Most Over-Rated: Reagan by far is the most over-rated President in the last 50 years. Not to put down the man on being a bad president...I mean he's responsible in truth to bringing America back on its feet...but he was a piece in the puzzle of bringing down the "Evil Empire." He wasn't the only component to be apart of the break up of the Soviet Union, there were many others (John Paul II, Gorbachev, and others).
Most Under-Rated: Jimmy Carter is the most under rated president in the last 50 years and maybe ever. He was a major player in foreign policy although it seems many things went wrong during his administration that he really had no control over (the Iranian Hostage Crisis, break up of Cento, and invasion of Afghanistan). Yet he brought together two of the most important players in world events, Sadat and Begin and got the Camp David Accords signed, ending major hostilities between the two countries which for almost 30 years been at war with one another.
QUOTE(deerjerkydave @ Jun 16 2005, 12:33 PM)
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2. Who was the worst president, and why?
It's a toss up between Johnson and Nixon, but I have to tip it towards Johnson, simply because of the huge increases in government under his watch.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
It's a toss up between Johnson and Nixon, but I have to tip it towards Johnson, simply because of the huge increases in government under his watch.
You do realize, of course, that your picks for both best president and most under-rated increased goverment much more than Johnson? LOL
Presidents of the last 50 years
1953-1961 Dwight Eisenhower
1961-1963 JFK
1963-1969 LBJ
1969-1974 Richard Nixon
1974-1977 Gerald Ford
1977-1981 Jimmy Carter
1981-1989 Ronald Reagan
1989-1993 George H.W. Bush
1993-2001 Bill Clinton
2001-present George W. Bush
First of all, I would put forward my assessment that this is the weakest fifty year group I see in the history of the United States presidency. While 1865-1901 was quite mediocre, that period is anchored by two exceptional presidents on each side.
All of these presidents have significant shortcomings.
1. First on my list would be Dwight Eisenhower. He gets my "best impression of George Washington as president" vote. I appreciate the way he found a moderate tone in the midst of a peak period of anti-communism and left office not warning of the communist menace but of the military-industrial complex. This would also qualify him by far as my pick for most-under-rated.
2. Next on my list is JFK. he list of accomplishments are relatively small but he brought a new generation of vigor to the White House and was also a good moderate whose more liberal policies all got carried through by his successor in large part because of JFK's legacy and the sentiment about his assassination.
The Peace Corps and the moon landing are his strongest legacies.
as we fall of of the cliff into more severely flawed presidents the ranking gets more difficult.
I have a stronger feeling that presidents should fall into the "physician do no harm" place. Ford and Bush, Sr. did less harm but were light on the plus a side as well.
3. Bill Clinton. His failings were not the crimes I worry about as much as a president. Yes he took the term presidential and put it on hold while he was in office. Yes he is a questionable personal character. But his policies as president did not have the same level of problems as the other longer serving presidents in his group. He worked in part by force with a republican Congress bent on bringing in some inside the beltway reforms. They got the deficit under control and stabilized our fiscal policies which I think goes a long way in determining the economic health of the country.
4. Ronald Reagan. Sorry I can't get over the Iran-Contra Scandal. If the country was not desperately trying to avoid another removed president, Reagan may very well have been removed from office. He sold weapons to our stated enemies in order to fund Latin American military units that had been expressly forbidden to receive American government funds.
He brought back a style of comfort and belief in this country. He put the Neo-Conservative movement into the saddle in the Republican Party.
5. LBJ. Perhaps the best legislating president ever. He understood the process and seized the moment to push through a mini-New Deal. Secured the backlash and the lingering image of the tax and spend Democrats. Social Security expansion through Medicare and Medicaid helped shift the demographic reality of American old age from poverty toward affluence. Passed too many bills because he could. The War on Poverty, while comparatively not very expensive left rising entitlement costs ahead for the successful ones and poorly conceived programs like job training and the Community Action Programs.
He inherited a troubled situation in Vietnam and blustered into a worse one. His dishonesty in style is evidenced by the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
6. George H. W. Bush. From what I can tell had probably the second or third most character of the people on this list. Politically blundered by going right to win the nomination but still bringing Perot (or having the misfortune of having Perot come in) into the race. Should have come back to the middle. Should not have lost to Clinton.
His Gulf War was a carefully constructed extremely effective use of American military power that restored the services to a place of glory while leaning heavily on and working closely with the international community. The present war proved that his limited war was the right way to go.
7. George W. Bush. History is not best to analyze from the present. I think his tax cut and spend economics is good politics but horrible policy. The War on Terror turned into a bad war in Iraq. Wars are not things that should be entered into lightly and a country's fate turns on the outcome of its wars. They cause much more harm than good.
His teams politics have been very shrewd and he has fashioned social conservatism into an extremely powerful political force.
8. Richard Nixon. Like LBJ was very concerned with his legacy and yearned to remembered as one of the greats. Came in undermining LBJ's negotiations to end the Vietnam War, left as a result of his widespread abuse of power revealed somewhat by the exposure of the plumbers and his role in the coverup of Watergate.
Had an extremely successful first term despite dealing with a horrible economy and using wartime measures to try to control prices. China was a high watermark. Established his presidency as a force in foreign policy.
9. Gerald Ford. Okay, I agree with the pardon, but it still looks like a prearranged deal. He was the right person to become the only president to take office without being elected. But he was not strong enough to win an election.
10. Jimmy Carter. Perhaps the best person to ever serve the position. One of the most successful ex-presidents of all time. Ran as an outsider and did not come into Washington ready and able to work in Washington. Admirable accomplishment in the Camp David Accords. Pushed the US to a more long term energy policy that has since been undone.
Was unable to deal effectively with the 1970s economy or the Iran hostage crisis, which was the absolute low point of American foreign policy.
1953-1961 Dwight Eisenhower
1961-1963 JFK
1963-1969 LBJ
1969-1974 Richard Nixon
1974-1977 Gerald Ford
1977-1981 Jimmy Carter
1981-1989 Ronald Reagan
1989-1993 George H.W. Bush
1993-2001 Bill Clinton
2001-present George W. Bush
First of all, I would put forward my assessment that this is the weakest fifty year group I see in the history of the United States presidency. While 1865-1901 was quite mediocre, that period is anchored by two exceptional presidents on each side.
All of these presidents have significant shortcomings.
1. First on my list would be Dwight Eisenhower. He gets my "best impression of George Washington as president" vote. I appreciate the way he found a moderate tone in the midst of a peak period of anti-communism and left office not warning of the communist menace but of the military-industrial complex. This would also qualify him by far as my pick for most-under-rated.
2. Next on my list is JFK. he list of accomplishments are relatively small but he brought a new generation of vigor to the White House and was also a good moderate whose more liberal policies all got carried through by his successor in large part because of JFK's legacy and the sentiment about his assassination.
The Peace Corps and the moon landing are his strongest legacies.
as we fall of of the cliff into more severely flawed presidents the ranking gets more difficult.
I have a stronger feeling that presidents should fall into the "physician do no harm" place. Ford and Bush, Sr. did less harm but were light on the plus a side as well.
3. Bill Clinton. His failings were not the crimes I worry about as much as a president. Yes he took the term presidential and put it on hold while he was in office. Yes he is a questionable personal character. But his policies as president did not have the same level of problems as the other longer serving presidents in his group. He worked in part by force with a republican Congress bent on bringing in some inside the beltway reforms. They got the deficit under control and stabilized our fiscal policies which I think goes a long way in determining the economic health of the country.
4. Ronald Reagan. Sorry I can't get over the Iran-Contra Scandal. If the country was not desperately trying to avoid another removed president, Reagan may very well have been removed from office. He sold weapons to our stated enemies in order to fund Latin American military units that had been expressly forbidden to receive American government funds.
He brought back a style of comfort and belief in this country. He put the Neo-Conservative movement into the saddle in the Republican Party.
5. LBJ. Perhaps the best legislating president ever. He understood the process and seized the moment to push through a mini-New Deal. Secured the backlash and the lingering image of the tax and spend Democrats. Social Security expansion through Medicare and Medicaid helped shift the demographic reality of American old age from poverty toward affluence. Passed too many bills because he could. The War on Poverty, while comparatively not very expensive left rising entitlement costs ahead for the successful ones and poorly conceived programs like job training and the Community Action Programs.
He inherited a troubled situation in Vietnam and blustered into a worse one. His dishonesty in style is evidenced by the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
6. George H. W. Bush. From what I can tell had probably the second or third most character of the people on this list. Politically blundered by going right to win the nomination but still bringing Perot (or having the misfortune of having Perot come in) into the race. Should have come back to the middle. Should not have lost to Clinton.
His Gulf War was a carefully constructed extremely effective use of American military power that restored the services to a place of glory while leaning heavily on and working closely with the international community. The present war proved that his limited war was the right way to go.
7. George W. Bush. History is not best to analyze from the present. I think his tax cut and spend economics is good politics but horrible policy. The War on Terror turned into a bad war in Iraq. Wars are not things that should be entered into lightly and a country's fate turns on the outcome of its wars. They cause much more harm than good.
His teams politics have been very shrewd and he has fashioned social conservatism into an extremely powerful political force.
8. Richard Nixon. Like LBJ was very concerned with his legacy and yearned to remembered as one of the greats. Came in undermining LBJ's negotiations to end the Vietnam War, left as a result of his widespread abuse of power revealed somewhat by the exposure of the plumbers and his role in the coverup of Watergate.
Had an extremely successful first term despite dealing with a horrible economy and using wartime measures to try to control prices. China was a high watermark. Established his presidency as a force in foreign policy.
9. Gerald Ford. Okay, I agree with the pardon, but it still looks like a prearranged deal. He was the right person to become the only president to take office without being elected. But he was not strong enough to win an election.
10. Jimmy Carter. Perhaps the best person to ever serve the position. One of the most successful ex-presidents of all time. Ran as an outsider and did not come into Washington ready and able to work in Washington. Admirable accomplishment in the Camp David Accords. Pushed the US to a more long term energy policy that has since been undone.
Was unable to deal effectively with the 1970s economy or the Iran hostage crisis, which was the absolute low point of American foreign policy.
This is my first post here. I can't believe how many people can't follow directions.
Starting with Eisenhower to our current president:
1. Who was the best president, and why?
Without a doubt Reagan. For all the talk about "reaganomics" most people have no economic understanding. His economic policies has been in place now for 25 years. Bush, Clintion, and Bush have followed his policy of lower taxes. Even when Clinton raised taxes they were NO WHERE as high as they were in 80 when Reagan became President. It is simple economics.. lower taxes = more jobs. The last 25 years have been one of the biggest economic booms in the US' history. Most of the credit can go to Reagan.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Nixon just for the fact he had to resign. Johnson got us into Vietnam so that shouldn't be forgotten, but Nixon was terrible.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Johnson's great society has created a generation of poverty. The Civil Rights bill was great, but the welfare system devestated the inner cities.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
Eisenhower kept the US out of Vietnam, created the interstate system, and kept the Soviets in check.
Starting with Eisenhower to our current president:
1. Who was the best president, and why?
Without a doubt Reagan. For all the talk about "reaganomics" most people have no economic understanding. His economic policies has been in place now for 25 years. Bush, Clintion, and Bush have followed his policy of lower taxes. Even when Clinton raised taxes they were NO WHERE as high as they were in 80 when Reagan became President. It is simple economics.. lower taxes = more jobs. The last 25 years have been one of the biggest economic booms in the US' history. Most of the credit can go to Reagan.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Nixon just for the fact he had to resign. Johnson got us into Vietnam so that shouldn't be forgotten, but Nixon was terrible.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Johnson's great society has created a generation of poverty. The Civil Rights bill was great, but the welfare system devestated the inner cities.
4. Who was the most under-rated?
Eisenhower kept the US out of Vietnam, created the interstate system, and kept the Soviets in check.
QUOTE(Eeyore @ Jun 17 2005, 12:54 PM)
3. Bill Clinton. His failings were not the crimes I worry about as much as a president. Yes he took the term presidential and put it on hold while he was in office. Yes he is a questionable personal character. But his policies as president did not have the same level of problems as the other longer serving presidents in his group. He worked in part by force with a republican Congress bent on bringing in some inside the beltway reforms. They got the deficit under control and stabilized our fiscal policies which I think goes a long way in determining the economic health of the country.
One of the great myths of the Clinton administration is that the "deficit was under control." It ignores the obvious factors that led to the surplus. Gridlock between the Executive and Legislative branch (always a good thing IMHO) and the irrational exuberance of the stock market. The government was making tons in tax receipts during the dot com boom of the late 90’s and this created a temporary surplus. Even if Al Gore had been elected in 2000, we would have a deficit today. The government tax receipts were unsustainable.
Bush’s spending policies have been terrible since he became the President, but lower taxes do equal more jobs. Look no further than the unemployment numbers since 1980 when the tax brackets changed the most.
1. Who was the best president, and why?
Dwight Eisenhower. Because of his command at the end of WWII, leading the liberation of Europe and the invasion of Germany (which, okay, was before his presidency, but still), his cease-fire in Korea and treaty with China, his formation of SEATO, his handling of the Suez crisis, his attempts to halt the nuclear arms race, his ability to balance the federal budget, his enforcement of desegregation, his backing of the Interstate Highway Act, his creation of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, his appointment of Earl Warren to the Supreme Court, his founding of NASA, his signing of the admission acts for Alaska and Hawaii, his tepid endorsement of Richard Nixon (when asked what his VP had accomplished in eight years, Ike replied, "Give me a week and I might think of something"), which lost Tricky Dick the election to JFK, and his farewell speech:
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Ronald Reagan. Because of his horrific legacy of creating what was then the largest national debt in the history of the world (tripling our deficit to $3 trillion), his conscious creation of the greatest division between rich and poor our nation has ever seen, his absolute cowardice in the face of more terrorist attacks on American targets than during the course of any presidency until the current one, his criminal arms for hostages deal, his pointless and cripplingly expensive "war on drugs", his funding of the mujahedin (and consequent responsibility for the creation of the Taliban), his courting of religious fundamentalism, his inability to form a coherent sentence and the subsequent dumbing down of the office of the president, and his appalling response to the AIDS epidemic, ensuring that hundreds of thousands of Americans would die as a result of HIV infection.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Reagan. See above. Happening to have been sitting in the Oval Office at the time of the collapse of Soviet communism hardly makes up for all the blood on his hands or mortal sins on his conscience (assuming he had one).
4. Who was the most under-rated?
Eisenhower. See above. Due to the dynamic and charismatic presidency of JFK, Eisenhower was quickly overshadowed and much of his legacy forgotten. For a generation, he was remembered as a president who accomplished little. In fact, he was the last great president the Republican Party has produced. He might also have been the first.
Dwight Eisenhower. Because of his command at the end of WWII, leading the liberation of Europe and the invasion of Germany (which, okay, was before his presidency, but still), his cease-fire in Korea and treaty with China, his formation of SEATO, his handling of the Suez crisis, his attempts to halt the nuclear arms race, his ability to balance the federal budget, his enforcement of desegregation, his backing of the Interstate Highway Act, his creation of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, his appointment of Earl Warren to the Supreme Court, his founding of NASA, his signing of the admission acts for Alaska and Hawaii, his tepid endorsement of Richard Nixon (when asked what his VP had accomplished in eight years, Ike replied, "Give me a week and I might think of something"), which lost Tricky Dick the election to JFK, and his farewell speech:
QUOTE
We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex... Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.
2. Who was the worst president, and why?
Ronald Reagan. Because of his horrific legacy of creating what was then the largest national debt in the history of the world (tripling our deficit to $3 trillion), his conscious creation of the greatest division between rich and poor our nation has ever seen, his absolute cowardice in the face of more terrorist attacks on American targets than during the course of any presidency until the current one, his criminal arms for hostages deal, his pointless and cripplingly expensive "war on drugs", his funding of the mujahedin (and consequent responsibility for the creation of the Taliban), his courting of religious fundamentalism, his inability to form a coherent sentence and the subsequent dumbing down of the office of the president, and his appalling response to the AIDS epidemic, ensuring that hundreds of thousands of Americans would die as a result of HIV infection.
3. Who was the most over-rated?
Reagan. See above. Happening to have been sitting in the Oval Office at the time of the collapse of Soviet communism hardly makes up for all the blood on his hands or mortal sins on his conscience (assuming he had one).
4. Who was the most under-rated?
Eisenhower. See above. Due to the dynamic and charismatic presidency of JFK, Eisenhower was quickly overshadowed and much of his legacy forgotten. For a generation, he was remembered as a president who accomplished little. In fact, he was the last great president the Republican Party has produced. He might also have been the first.
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