Who is your favorite U.S. president of all time?
Posted at 5:00 AM on February 21, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(28 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Politics/Government
Americans celebrate the third Monday in February as President's Day, continuing a tradition that began as an observance of George Washington's birthday. Today's Question: Who is your favorite U.S. president of all time?
Comments (28)
Washington and Lincoln for pre-industrial age, and Teddy Roosevelt for post.
I think it is time to bring back the "Bull-Moose" party and show the Elephant and Jack-ass the to true 'what-for'...
Time to bring back what is really the "majority rules" and kill off the special interests of those with greed and special social agenda's.
All those that appreciated sweet hemp; Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Carter, Adams, Obama...
The nature of the question seems a bit frivolous. Asking for a "favorite" suggests personal preference, and this may have little to do with a president's abilities or accomplishments.
Presidents who either served through a crisis or during prosperous times typically get high marks. In other words, when things went well then the president got the credit. Also, a favorite choice usually indicates either a left or right leaning, not necessarily an objective evaluation.
So I really don't have a favorite. But I do appreciate Truman and Regan for sticking to their principles, whether or not you agree with their decisions or how their eras are perceived.
George Washington, "First in War, First in Peace, First in the Hearts of his Countrymen."; A foreigner was walking down the streets of New York and saw President Washington. He asked his American friend why the President had no body guards. His friend said that President Washington was so highly regarded by his countrymen that every American protected him.
Ron Reagan, Geo Washington, Cal Coolidge.
Least favorite are all mentioned above. FDR perhaps most. LBJ as well.
It's been said that Jimmy Carter was the only person ever to use the presidency as a stepping stone to higher office. I agree. Yes, his results were disappointing, but he's not really to blame for that. Like the proverbial horse that can be led to water but not made to drink, we citizens, and the Congress that represents us, can be told the truth but can't be forced to accept it or act on it. Truly honest politicians are few and far between, and the fact that we rejected one as our president in 1980 says more about us than about him.
Franklin D. Roosevelt is the best President of the past. He weathered the Depression and even though he was born into wealth saw that the greatness of America was in how we treated the common person, not how many tax cuts the wealthy received. He believed in a square deal for every one regardless of their station in life. He started Social Security which provided a safety net for our elderly. He prepared this nation to fight in a horrific war which he knew we had to fight to save all democracies, despite dogged Republican resistance. He taxed the rich so that they actually paid their fair share of belonging to this great nation. Unfortunately, he died before he could enact his greatest gift to Americans: The Second Bill of Rights.
Barack Obama is my second choice. He's had to fight the worst recession caused by the greediest among our corporate leaders. He's passed a national health bill that finally will insure Americans and reduce the cost of health care. Every day I see him fighting for the common man. His life story is the best story America has to offer us as an example of what success looks like for an American of the 21st Century.
But the best President of all time is coming in the future: Michelle Obama in 2016. She will beat the pants off all of the other pretenders.
Lincoln by a landslide for holding the country together and eliminating slavery.
Note to those who picked Carter - I look for results, not intentions and would encourage you to do the same. Carter is a good man, from almost all vantage points he was a terrible President.
Jimmy Carter was my favorite president. He had integrity and told Americans what they needed to hear whether they liked it or not. Dwight Eisenhower is a close second, however.
Ronald Reagan was my least favorite president. I one giant swoop he turned Americans against themselves. Rather than seeing government as the result of our collective wills, he led people to believe that government is evil. He also got people to believe what is best for the rich is best for them. If there is one lesson we have learned over the past three decades it is this: the rich get richer and the wealth NEVER trickles down.
I wonder if we might not be able to tell more about a president after his term...
If so, then Carter must have been the best president because he posssess the greatest personal and public integrity, because he is the hardest working and most highly intelligent of presidents, and who has shown by giving to have the greatest love for humankind.
Right on Carter's heels comes Clinton, who is following in Jimmy's footsteps with constant hard work, daily world studies, international diplomacy and striving to improve the plight of the world's most deprived citizens. If he lives as long as Pres. Carter I believe he will prove his equal.
We have had many great presidents, beginning with George Washington to Lincoln, to FDR, who died with the weight of the country on his crippled back, to the honorable Truman, and onto JFK, whose whole public life was given unto death to his parent's adopted country. What sets these presidents apart was their willingness and dedication to work without reward for the greatest good for all the people, the same qualities that great religions look for in their followers.
Liken these outstanding men to the George Bushes, who retired from the presidency to pursue lives of monetary self-enrichment. As we look back, can they truly have ever cared about the well-being of others when, given the chance, they chose to focus on themselves? They are part of an extraordinary few who possess the power and financial ability to help tens of millions of people; will they stand up to that task?
Who is my favorite president of all time? Well, the greatest presidents were probably, in this order, Lincoln and Washington. Lincoln's character, his brilliance, and his ability to think independently and to say--without any handlers--just what the nation needed to hear at a given moment--all these traits are unparalleled.
Teddy Roosevelt was also a great president, but not someone whom I know that well.
But the question wasn't, who is the greatest president? It's, who is your favorite president? Lincoln might be the greatest, but my favorite is FDR. I cannot think of any president who fought harder for common people than FDR and achieved more for the vast majority of Americans. I love his determination, his pugnacity, and his courage Social Security--one of his greatest achievements--is still helping elderly people today, in spite of nearly eighty years of determined efforts by the Republican Party to dismantle it. Thank you, FDR..
My second favorite is Carter. A brilliant man, for whom I did not vote in 1976, because I thought he was too conservative; I campaigned for Ted Kennedy in 1980 and voted for Carter only when I realized Reagan had a chance to win. Carter is someone I came to appreciate in retrospect--and of course Reagan really helped me learn how to appreciate Carter. Carter understood the importance of peace in the Middle East, of human rights, of repairing our relations with the Third World, of conservation--so many things that Reagan and the Republican presidents who came after Reagan didn't give a d**n about.
And finally Barak Obama. I listened to one of Eisenhower' s speech writers compare Obama's writing and speaking ability to that of Lincoln--probably the only two presidents in our history who did not need speech writers, because they could find the right thing to say to the nation when the nation needed leadership. When Obama was running for president, I read his memoir, "Dreams from my father," and was amazed at the intelligence, knowledge, and style of someone so young. There are things Obama has done with which I don't agree, but he is so young, and I have no doubt if he gets two terms he will go down as one of our greatest presidents. Perhaps right up there with Washington, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, and Carter.
During my voting lifetime - Best: Carter. A man of integrity. And his post-presidency life is exemplary. Worst: Reagan - A mindless, lying, destructive tool.
In history - Best: Lincoln. Worst: Andrew Johnson, for nearly undoing Lincoln's accomplishments.
For me it must be Abraham Lincoln. He was president through the worst crisis this nation ever faced. He was both intelligent and flexible enough to alter his positions and policies as facts dictated. But at the same time he possessed the fortitude to stand firm when he perceived that was necessary. He appointed a cabinet of people he believed to be the most qualified,especially including his Republican political rivals for peisident. It is a tribute to Lincoln that Seward, his chief rival for the presidential nomination at the Republican Party Convention in 1860, who when chosen for Secretary of State, believed he would be the true power behind this country bumpkin's throne, ended up as the President's closest confidant and admirer. But most of all, Lincoln perceived that to win the war and save the Union, he would have to destroy the source of the rift, slavery. The rest is history.
Abraham Lincoln, without a doubt. I like the other nominees -- Truman and Carter and Teddy R -- too, but had the Union been led by a lesser man, there would have been no United States for Truman, Carter, et al. to lead.
President Barack Obama. Simply put, I know more about him than any other president, and I find him an impressive leader. I look at what he's been up against and how he's confronted his adversaries with grace, courage, determination and flexibility. And I look at how he handled the Arizona debacle with the murders of the innocent people attending the event held by Gabby Giffords. He rose to the occasion and quieted his critics. Has he done things I dislike? Sure, for example, he backed down from dealing more aggressively with Israel while it continues to ravage the Palestinian homeland. That is appalling and President Obama should have stood up to the zionist power elite. Obama is a tower of a man who will be compared favorably with the top five presidents in American history by the time his run is through.
President Carter has always been my personal hero. He led by example. He has personal integrity. I was young, but old enough to vote when he was in office; I have never been ashamed of casting a vote for Jimmy Carter. I wish I could vote for him again today.
During my lifetime it would have to be Carter, who was more populist, and less corporate-sponsored than those that succeeded him. Worst by far, George W. Bush--a total, corporate-sponsored narcissistic wash-out. Clinton has my vote for consumate politician, and most likeable. I think a good test of character is to look at their contributions post-White House.
President Carter, not a liar, didn't tell us what we wanted to hear just not get elected. Has led an exemplary life.
I think Washington and Lincoln for the reasons noted above. I am especially
appreciative of Washington desire not to have
any fancy title and his setting the unofficial
precedence of two terms. I also appreciate
Harry S. Truman and Dwight Eisenhower,
neither one was flashy and tried their best.
I think they really epitomized the common man. Kennedy only for the hope he gave the
nation. Carter for his innate value of the worth
of mankind. My biggest disappointment was
Bill Clinton, he had potential but was morally
flawed. Teddy Roosevelt for the reasons
explained above its too bad we as Americans
were not more aware of his goals and
accomplishments. He would be a good
model for more presidents to emulate.
It's a toss-up between Washington and Lincoln, for all the reasons historians cite. Sadly, I don't think we're capable of electing people of their calibre these days.
Lincoln got the Republican nomination by being a consensus candidate. He was everyone's second choice, even though he was almost no one's first choice. Someone like that would be eaten alive by extremist ideologues in today's system.
Washington had too much honesty and integrity to make it in 21st Century American politics. Carter came close to matching Washington's character, but we couldn't stand him and threw him out in favor of a smooth talker who pandered to our desire to think of ourselves as absolutely wonderful people who would do wonderful things if only government were out of the way (except for expanding the military).
There is one thing I do appreciate about Reagan, though. He was willing to backtrack when he realized he had gone too far. When it became clear that the 1981 tax cuts were too deep, he let them go back up. When he saw that he had sufficiently vilified the Soviet Union, he dealt with them on arms control. Unfortunately, that's a side of Reagan that his current venerators on the right wing refuse to see.
My personal favorite is Harry S. Truman. I like his willingness to stand up for his beliefs, and to take responsibility for his actions.
Teddy Roosevelt - A leader in conservation efforts, as well as regulatory initiatives.
Harry S Truman - what a mensch!
Jimmy Carter. Although he was not a very politicaly astute president by a long shot, he is a man with an amazing amount of integrity and a true Vision for a peaceful and sustainable world. I think Barack Obama is quite similar, both fortunately and unfortunately. Without being willing or able to "play the game", (something many conservative politicians are quite good at), liberal leaders like Carter and Obama who have an optimistic outlook and fine character are unable to bring their Vision to fruition to any great extent. They invariably end up underappreciated in their own time, and as history's scape goats as the years pass.
Leaders like Reagan and G.W. Bush, who have done nothing but perpetuate xenophobic, militaristic foreign policy and ineffective "trickle-down" domestic economic policy, are perceived as "do-no-wrong" good ol' boys, because they are adept POLITICIANS. It's not easy to convince some people that prosperity is not much to celebrate without PEACE, and I think that Carter understands this and has always been willing to work for this closely held principle.
George Washington. So it's been downhill ever since.
Ronald Reagan. He did not hesitate to tell the truth the leaders of the USSR were all lying liars and certainly was instrumental in the fall of communism in both Russia and Eastern Europe. When the air traffic controllers illegally went on strike, he fired all of them. He brought high inflation and interest rates under control with tight monetary policy. Best of all, he understood that high marginal tax rates demoralize investers and entrepreneurs and impact economic growth. Growing the economic pie is more important than distributing the economic pie.
ATM I would say likely a Republican:
Teddy Roosevelt
He was picked to be Vice president to get him out of the way, and suddenly became president.
The comical aspect of what was a attempt to shut up a fighter for the common man's right only made him louder.
He came in at the tail end of the Industrial age and it was clear with child labor and other exploitations of Monopolies we needed to fix a lot of problems of power.
Even though it was known many in power denied they were a monopoly or that they were doing anything wrong. Much like today we have people denying global warming, because it implies fault.
I guess fear of loosing money (a addiction for those with it to make more of it) makes one deny the needs of others, or some how convince yourself you do not have "that" much and if you can last a little longer getting more your carrot on a stick will be your. Only no one gets the carrot....
Teddy was brave, spoke out, and stood out telling things like they were. Our national parks expanded due to his understanding our needs to preserve. (and thank god, if the huge caldera of Yellow Stone was heavily populated...) Vast majority of our first real labor laws came with his presidency. Children were sent to school and not the mines. Food standards became REAL, no more was your meat green with rot and red with paint outside...
The United States was rotting from within with out his intervention.
I think Carter was brilliant, though not as flashy as some of the other Presidents. I like that he lives what he believes, and still works hands on for habitat for humanity, doing what he knows is right in the world. He has quietly and actively made a difference his whole life.
| February 2011 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | |||||
Master Archive
Recent Entries
- Have changes to the airline passenger experience affected your willingness to fly?
- Should marijuana be available for medical use in Minnesota?
- Do the struggles of Minnesota's business icons signal trouble for the state's economy?
- Do you know whether insurance would cover your losses in a major storm?
- What kind of recycling program would you be likely to use the most?
- Would you support paying people for organ or tissue donations?
- Have personal relationships in the workplace ever presented a problem for you?
- Do you think Facebook is a passing fad?
- Will you be less likely to visit the Minnesota Zoo without its dolphins?
- Should authorities in the Twin Cities change the way they warn people about tornadoes?
Public Insight Network
The Public Insight Network draws upon your experiences to help shape our coverage.More
Categories
Services
In The Spotlight
-
Sound Learning
Looking for ways to ensure your students are doing quality research from credible sources? Sound Learning is a launching point to Minnesota Public Radio's content on the Web. -
The Current Music Blog
Your daily note for good music, news and pop culture. With attempted jokes.
- Become a Member
- Member Connect Accounts
- Leadership Circle
- Sustaining Members
- Member Discounts
- Become a Sponsor
- Tax Information
- Planned Giving
- Vehicle Donation
- Donate Stock