NationStates Jolt Archive

Which President do you think is the greatest ever. I encourage you not to say a modern president, but I can't stop you.

Harry Truman. Although Eisenhower is a good runner-up

We had some truly outstanding presidents early in the nation's history. Washington could hardly avoid being a great president; the job was designed with him in mind. Jefferson may be the most intelligent man ever to hold the job. Madison and Monroe were no slouches either.

In more modern times, I have a great deal of respect for Theodore Roosevelt, Wilson and Truman.

If I must pick one from the above list, I'll go with Jefferson. But it's a tough choice.

:p

Thomas Jefferson.

ima hafta go with FDR, he was da man

The last one.

Of past ones both Andrew Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt ("the good Roosevelt, the one who shot bears"--P. J. O'Rourke).
Define "modern"? For now I'll define it as anyone since Ford, the oldest living ex.

I like Jefferson and Adams (the father).

Of past ones both Andrew Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt ("the good Roosevelt, the one who shot bears"--P. J. O'Rourke).
Define "modern"? For now I'll define it as anyone since Ford, the oldest living ex.

I'd define modern as any president after (and including) FDR. He ushered in a new era, good or bad, of how government operates, especially in relation to society. I suppose you could also place the line with the post-WWII presidents. Basically, Truman to Bush-43. I think that's a little less solid of a standard, though.

Harry Truman. Although Eisenhower is a good runner-up
It's kinda ironic that Harry Truman was even more unpopular at the time that GWB is now. When he left office, he had a popularity rating below 30 percent. Of course, he also had an unpopular war to fight and a hard time with his domestic agenda.

So will history reward GWB for his anti-terror efforts? Will subsequent generations see the tax cut for the economic stimulus that it is? Who knows, but Harry Truman is a lot more popular now than he ever was when he was in office.

It's kinda ironic that Harry Truman was even more unpopular at the time that GWB is now. When he left office, he had a popularity rating below 30 percent. Of course, he also had an unpopular war to fight and a hard time with his domestic agenda.

So will history reward GWB for his anti-terror efforts? Will subsequent generations see the tax cut for the economic stimulus that it is? Who knows, but Harry Truman is a lot more popular now than he ever was when he was in office.

Same goes for Abe Lincoln, too.

I don't know how history will judge GWB, but I won't be so arrogant as to let my political opinions in 2005 totally obscure my objectivity. Yeah, it's hard to say what's going to result. Andrew Jackson was one of the most popular American presidents in his day, but very few people now know enough about his policies to make a reasonable determination of his successes or failures. You kind of always hear two things: "HE KILLED THE INDIANS" or "HE'S THE FATHER OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY." That'll probably (and ignorantly) determine your view of him. Sometimes just fifty or sixty years can make all the difference in how a president is perceived, whether he's beloved, hated or forgotten. So, I guess we'll have to wait to see.

I'd vote for Lincoln, Washington, FDR, Reagan,


I think Truman was pretty honest for a politician, I know of little that he accomplished. He did get the Marshall Plan through to help rebuild Europe after WWII, which was good and desegregated the military which was way past due. Other than that he was over rated.

Jackson was for a decentralized government with the federal government deferring to the states. He destroyed the way of life for lots of Native Americans and was pro-slavery. I think he was for democracy if you were male and white, hardly revolutionary thinking even for his day.

If you understand the fear the Founding Fathers held about "democracy," which essentially meant "anarchy" or "mob rule" (based on the Aristotelian definition) in the late 18th century, you'd also understand why the adoption of the word "democracy" during Jackson's presidency was revolutionary. At the time, the states began to eliminate or weaken property requirements to vote and run for office, which allowed for more of those white males to vote and access the political system than ever before. I'd add that Jackson expanded the presidency through his spoils system and, some would argue, abuse of the veto. Democracy, rather than republicanism, resulted in the electorate becoming more populist, which is why you see the next several elections incorporate the "log cabin and hard cider" theme. Jackson's Democrats are arguably the first real national political party. Jackson's campaign strategies are also legendary. He and his advisors created this campaign model we still use today. It's amazing. So yeah, it was revolutionary.

I guess I never answered the question, did I. Best, in this context, means what Presidential style would I like to see today.

I used to think that Calvin Coolidge was the best President. He kept to the path of federalism that the Constitution intended. But recently, I've been leaning toward Grover Cleveland. He had no trouble vetoing spending bills because the Constitution didn't grant the Congress authority to spend in a particular fashion. I think he vetoed a couple hundred spending bills during his tenure.

Abe Lincoln, no doubt about it. Tho I would say FDR is a close second.

Harry Truman. Although Eisenhower is a good runner-up

Wow finally someone else who shares my opinion on the matter. Though I normally end up somewhat to the right of the typcical left/right divide (mostly over economic issues, socially I'm liberal) I admire much of Truman's conviction and ability to deal with the job. He had to make one of the hardest decisions ever in regards to the use of nuclear weapons attacks on Japan, which for the unholy terror they were was probably right decision for the world. Unlike FDR who thought he could charm Stalin, Truman didn't undermine the other allies and stood firm against the USSR when he had too. Korea too was the right decision, though unpopular it wasn't like Vietnam of Iraq, it was UN police action against an agressor state which Mac Authur screwed up with his reckless actions.

Also he was principled and started the ball ralling in regards to civil rights. Domestically and economically I'm less in favour, but over all I think he was the best President the USA has ever had.

Next would be Teddy Roosevelt.

Washington, because he gave up power--totally unknown concept.

Jefferson--most intelligent, developed the basics of the Repulic

Lincoln--Held things together in the worst of times.

T. Roosevelt---First conservationist, last to look to the future

FDR--Held things together in the 2nd worst of times

Truman--Guts and responsibility--Haven't seen a President that took responsibility since.

Of the more modern presidents, I think history will look kindly on Nixon and Carter. I know that sound dumb now but as you look at their work they really advanced the country. Nixon with the outreach to China. Carter with outreach to USSR and energy policy. They had far more to do with the end of the cold war than Reagan.

I'd have to say FDR, such huge steps in social welfare (which my country doesn't have for some reason) deserve such a title, I mean, can anyone even say anything he did wrong?

David Rice Atchison

Adams, minus the Alien and Sedition Acts.

He came to power with the hardest act to follow, the burgeoning of political parties, and war looming with both France and Britiain. Through skill in diplomacy, both were averted. His contributions to the Revolution are unparalled, imho, and he set the precedent of a losing President giving up power to the victor.

Which President do you think is the greatest ever. I encourage you not to say a modern president, but I can't stop you.

when you say "american" president does that include Jefferson Davis or any other president of any other part of the americas?

when you say "american" president does that include Jefferson Davis or any other president of any other part of the americas?

I apologize I meant to say President of the United States of America. So Jefferson Davis won't count since he was the leader of a rebel government and in my opinion wasn't that great, anyways. But who knows how will he could've been if things were different.

I personally think the greatest president is Lincoln. I mean without him there wouldn't be a USA as we know it today. Most historians credit him with maintaining the United States as a political entity throughout the war.

After him I would say FDR, new deal, waging WW2 and what not. Though I really didn't like his policy toward Americans of Japanese descent.

The reason why I requested no modern president, is that usually when people start saying that Clinton or W Bush is the greatest it leds to name-calling and pointless political debates. Because you can't really say either is great or the worst because they are rather recent Presidents haven't been put up to historical scruntiny, yet. So thanks to everyone for avoiding that.

Captain America.

The Roosevelts.

Theodore Roosevelt; for freeing American workers and the environment from the chains of unbridled capitalism.

Franklin D Roosevelt; for helping to free Europe from the death chambers of Nazism.

After him I would say FDR, new deal, waging WW2 and what not. Though I really didn't like his policy toward Americans of Japanese descent.


Interesting that you would mention that.

I'm a caucasion minister's assistant in a predominantly Japanese American Buddhist temple here in San Francisco. As angry as one would think people would be about the internments - which were surely as great a betrayal of American values as anything ever done in this country - I've actually had some members tell me they don't harbor any grudges against FDR. "He was doing what he thought was necessary," some have told me. Mind you, not everyone feels that way at all, but it still strikes me.

I have long admired FDR, and would certainly rank him among the greatest if not the greatest, but that horrible blight on his record of tremendous accomplishment has always troubled me.

That might be because I can relate on a personal level, as well. My father's family is Cherokee, and so Andrew Jackson's crimes against the Cherokee nation, and other Native Americans, stand out to me.

Most respected prezzes? The standards: Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt (both of 'em), and - in this era - Carter. Think what you may of his tenure in office, he was and is a man of tremendous integrity and intelligence. We're fortunate to have him.

TR. Hands freaking down.

Interesting that you would mention that.
Most respected prezzes? The standards: Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt (both of 'em), and - in this era - Carter. Think what you may of his tenure in office, he was and is a man of tremendous integrity and intelligence. We're fortunate to have him.

I agree with you I think he's one of our more under-rated presidents. He did alot of good. He is my personal hero for his devotion to human rights.

1. Lincoln
2.FDR
3.Truman

I'm so disappointed in you guys, I thought this would have been #1...

Drum Roll
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BUSH

Well, i know he's not a great president, but come on he has special powers.

-He can see invisible things, like the WMDs
-He can dumb down an entire nation just by talking for 10 minutes
-He has taught the world that you don't have to be intelligent to be president; he is an inspiration to stupid people everywhere.

I mean, he is the coolest president in the world, it's like he belongs on the Justice league or something.

Super powers make him the best president in the world.

Oh... and for real.... ummm… Abe Lincoln

P.S.
Sorry for having to start this… :)

FDR! Hands down, no competition here.
Reasons:
He led us through the Great Depression
Longest running president ever, so he did great things to get it that way
He led us through WWII

I'd go with Theodore Roosevelt (minus the trustbusting. I'm pro-trust). Or even James K. Polk. He was a damn good President.

Garfield - he was only president for 4 months and didn't have time to fuck up anything.

Garfield - he was only president for 4 months and didn't have time to fuck up anything.

If thats your criteriam for the greatest President, then William Henry Harrison's the best. He was only President for 1 month, almost all of which he had pneumonia. So he didn't do a single thing.

If thats your criteriam for the greatest President, then William Henry Harrison's the best. He was only President for 1 month, almost all of which he had pneumonia. So he didn't do a single thing.
Darn, forgot about Harrison, OK, Garfield was 2nd best. ;)

I'd go with Theodore Roosevelt (minus the trustbusting. I'm pro-trust). Or even James K. Polk. He was a damn good President.

I don't know about Polk. I guess I'm biased against him over the whole provoking a war with Mexico so the US could grab some more land.