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HISTORICAL RANKING OF UNITED STATES PRESIDENTS

44 items ranked

Rankings Focus on the Presidential Achievements, Leadership Qualities, Failures and Faults.

Rated 29 points - posted 14 years ago by paulT in category United States.
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1.

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Ronald W. Reagan Report Abuse
1227 points - added 12 years ago by guest - 7 comments
Comments:
you r tha best
Added 8 years ago by guest, 13 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
woooooooooooo again
Added 8 years ago by guest, 8 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
wooooooooooooo
Added 8 years ago by guest, 8 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
tripled the national debt and raised taxes
Added 9 years ago by guest, -23 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Putting Reagan first is just crazy. Washington was a better president and a better man by far. Lincoln dwarfs Reagan. So too do TR and FDR.
Added 11 years ago by guest, -43 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
best in my 50 years
Added 12 years ago by guest, 81 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Why is he on here twice?
Added 12 years ago by guest, 12 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

2.

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Dwight D. Eisenhower Report Abuse
1180 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 3 comments
Comments:
I like IKE!
Added 12 years ago by guest, 33 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
I think Eisenhower was a great president. He served during a period of peace and prosperity. Most important he told us to be aware of the miltary complex.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 32 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
An excellent president. His last speech about bewaring of the military-industrial complex would be one we should take out and read again and again these days.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 25 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

3.

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Ronald Reagan Report Abuse
1174 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 8 comments
Comments:
Reagan was so good he made the list twice!!!
Added 8 years ago by guest, 5 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
woooooooooooo again
Added 8 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
best in my time!
Added 12 years ago by redbarron80, 80 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Trickle down doesn't work, even when you rename it to "Regeanomics" it never has and it never will. The rich don't want to give away their money to the less wealthy, if they did we wouldn't have social classes, sorry Reagan.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -35 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Republicans always talk about Reagan's tax cuts, but never mention that he also raised taxes 11 times. He raised taxes far more than he cut them. Under his presidency government grew tremendously in that the deficit was increased by one of the largest percentages at the time. Reagan is also responsible for the major outsourcing of jobs we are now experiencing. Reagan took the outsourcing started by Nixon in the 1970's and expanded on it. By the end of Reagan's presidency the U.S. was beginning to see quite a few products with the "Made In China" tag on them. Regardless of what everybody says the trickle down theory does not work. Tax breaks for the rich do not create a trickling down of jobs and money to the middle class and poor. The only thing tax breaks for the rich accomplishes is putting more money into the bank accounts of the rich.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -37 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Effectively changed our culture to ignore the poor and underprivileged in America.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -34 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
one of the top 5 greatest presidents ever wthout a doubt, he destroyed the soviet union with increased defense spending and improved the economy with tax cuts and lower regulations. he also brought power back to the states like Jefferson wanted.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 32 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Reagan was a good president in that he believed that government was the cause of many of our problems. His tax cuts led us out of an economic downturn. He also, along with Pope John Paul, brought down the Soviet Empire. Willam A. Ogorodny
Added 13 years ago by guest, 31 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

4.

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George Washingtonn Report Abuse
Leader of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War and served as the first President of the United States of America (1789–1797); presided over the Philadelphia Convention that drafted the United States Constitution in 1787; Washington is seen as a symbol of the United States and republicanism in practice; his devotion to civic virtue made him an exemplary figure among early American politicians; Washington died in 1799, and the funeral oration delivered by Henry Lee stated that of all Americans, he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen"; he has been consistently ranked by scholars as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents.
1048 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 6 comments
Comments:
very best
Added 12 years ago by jeffbestjeff, 10 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
best
Added 12 years ago by redbarron80, 17 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
One of the best Humans ever!
Added 12 years ago by redbarron80, 33 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Yes, because we could have easily done without the only unanimously elected President, and the only possible person who could have guided the country through its early infancy. But our country not existing today certainly does not affect our everyday lives, so good job.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
we do not know is true or untrue about this great president. Overall, I rank him below FDR, as he did not affect our everyday lives as much,
Added 12 years ago by guest, -25 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
FDR WAS GREATER
Added 12 years ago by guest, -20 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

5.

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Theodore Roosevelt Report Abuse
A leader of the Republican Party and of the Progressive Party, he was a Governor of New York and a professional historian, naturalist, explorer, hunter, author, and soldier; most famous for his personality: his energy, his vast range of interests and achievements, his model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" image; originating from a story from one of Roosevelt's hunting expeditions, teddy bears are named after him; at 42 years old, he remains the youngest person to become president; first U.S. president to call for universal health care and national health insurance; first American to be awarded the Nobel Prize, winning its Peace Prize in 1906, for negotiating peace in the Russo-Japanese War;
879 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 7 comments
Comments:
A great man and president. Pushed the limit to get things done, if he had been re-elected World war one and thus two might never have been fought to such extents.
Added 8 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Absolutely awful president. He felt the constitution didn't apply to him. Anything good he did, was outside of the constitution. He also enacted bad laws like the Hepburn Act and prosecuted trust not because they broke the law, but for the "greater good".
Added 11 years ago by guest, -5 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
TR started the Progressives through his administration: the Pure Food and Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act etc. He did this in reaction to the light being shed on the industries by muckrakers, and therefore ushered in the Progressive era that was continued by Taft and Wilson.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
He was not a Progressive. Wilson ushered in the Progressives.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -1 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
he was very over-rated. progressives are what kill the nation.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -9 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Was he what Republicans had been for years and years? Is that why you despise him so. He was indeed Progressive, and I for one am glad he was gung ho for the national parks and for regulating the unconscienable plutocrats of wealth. Clearly a great president.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 8 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
The first Progressive president. He was not a lover of the Constitution; although there were real problems at the time, like tainted food and child labor in industry, one can follow his trail to Obama and the triumph of In-Your-Face big government!
Added 13 years ago by tmills777, -8 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

6.

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Abraham Lincoln Report Abuse
Lincoln successfully led the country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War, preserving the Union and ending slavery; he successfully rallied public opinion through his rhetoric and speeches; his Gettysburg Address is one example; before his election in 1860 as the first Republican president, Lincoln had been a country lawyer, an Illinois state legislator, a member of the United States House of Representatives, and twice an unsuccessful candidate for election to the U.S. Senate; Lincoln's assassination in 1865 was the first presidential assassination in U.S. history.
800 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 3 comments
Comments:
He brought America back together after the succession, and ended slavery.
Added 7 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
There were tense regional relations in America long before the Civil War: see Bleeding Kansas, the American Southwest. Segregation was even apparent in the North before Lincoln's Presidency. Therefore, he could not have possibly created either as a "hostile environment" was already in place.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
No doubt Lincoln was a great man, but to be an advocate for the other side for just a second it is entirely wrong to have the preservation of the union as a defining point of his presidency. When the civil war occured, the Confederates felt they were just as legitament as the Union, and by declaring the Union "true" America, and through waging a war to force the confederates to rejoin, he laid the foundation for a hostile enviroment post--slavery that led to segregation and tense regional relations.
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7.

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George W. Bush Report Abuse
689 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 11 comments
Comments:
What everyone forgets is the wrong info from the CIA and other countries. And didn't the Congress vote to go to Iraq?
Added 9 years ago by guest, 7 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Bush lied about Iraq. His tax cuts only passed because Cheney broke the tie in the Senate. The cost of those cuts worsened the economy and squandered any surplus that would have built up due to Clinton.
Added 9 years ago by guest, -15 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Not an entirely terrible President. He did what he could with what he had, if he had been the leader of the United States in a different period of her history, than maybe we would remember him as a greater man than what we do now. I bear no hate for him, it would be like hating FDR because WWII happened during his presidency. The world works outside one man's control, unfortunately, he's the one who got blamed for next to every negative thing thats happened since 2000.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 42 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
In three words - the worst ever
Added 12 years ago by guest, -42 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
An excellent example of why one should not go into the family business. While hiding out from military service in Vietnam, in Montgomery, AL, his dream was to become Commissioner of Baseball...then, as we all know, something went terribly, terribly wrong with history...
Added 12 years ago by guest, -35 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
he was not a great president but he was far from horrible. bush loves the country and handled 9-11 perfectly helping to keep the country safe, protection is the main purpose for the federal government, not regulating the economy to death.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 16 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Oft maligned President. Everyone seems to blame him for conditions ORIGINALLY initialized by Clinton. Clinton was actually the one that began the sub-prime mortgage debacle. As far as the war on terror goes, again if Clinton had done his job we wouldn't need to be there. I would much rather have had W leading the country during 9-11, even though he may have been inarticulate at times. I feel he was the right man for the times. And afterall, isn't the greatness of a President often judged by the times they are confronted with?
Added 13 years ago by guest, 17 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Was one of the worst presidents. He helped the country to have a trillion dollar deficit. Bush also got us involved in Iraq under dubious conditions. Finally, Bush could not articulate his ideas and seemed to be intellectually lazy. William A. Ogorodny
Added 13 years ago by guest, -24 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
His inflexible, incurious method of governing was a disaster for the country. A great example of the man being out of his depth and the puppet of others. Easily led by Cheney into one disaster after another. And really needed to deal wlith his daddy issues outside of the presidency.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -22 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
He's better than Barack Hussein Obama...although not by much.
Added 13 years ago by Mabel74, 28 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
The worst president of all time by far. Where to begin, the wrecked economy, the wasted buget surplus, increased teen pregnancy due to abstinence based bs, the over stressed military (which I'm a member of), giving the rest of the world the middle finger, back burnering clean energy, outing Valerie Plame (that's a crime), or just taking more vacation days than working days. Yep! The Worst of all time!
Added 13 years ago by guest, -21 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

8.

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Thomas Jefferson Report Abuse
688 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 2 comments
Comments:
Died deeply in debt; held slaves. Not sure about this but Lincoln not No. 1? Read history...
Added 8 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Wrote that great document, our Declaration of Independence. Boldly went for the Louisiana Purchase, beginning our westward expansion, and sent Lewis & Clark to look over the new land. A man for all seasons, and most likely one of, if not the, most intelligent president we've ever had. A restless mind and a busy mind. Number Four is exactly right.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

9.

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James Monroe Report Abuse
652 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 2 comments
Comments:
Too bad he didn't write it. Thank John Quincy Adams for the Monroe Doctrine.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
The Monroe Doctrine alone makes him a great president.
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10.

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John Adams Report Abuse
623 points - added 14 years ago by paulT -

11.

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John Quincy Adams Report Abuse
618 points - added 14 years ago by paulT -

12.

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George H. W. Bush Report Abuse
574 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 2 comments
Comments:
he was an okay president however, not at all a war criminal and tax breaks to the rich is good for buisness which creates jobs, not the middle and lower class.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 25 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Our worst president by far. He started a war based on lies, killed 100,000 people for nothing, ruined our economy giving tax breaks to millionaires in a time of war adding to the national debt. He should be tried as a war criminal.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -34 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

13.

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Richard Nixon Report Abuse
572 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 4 comments
Comments:
you r tha best
Added 8 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
watergate was what destroyed his presidency but i agree that without it he was decent. however F.D.R. took us of the gold standard which lowered the value of the dollar.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
He cared only about foreign affairs, thus the Democrat Congress was able to set the agenda. Watergate is no trifling matter, and the man was probably certifiable. Crazy people can be intelligent, too.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
He got us out of Vietnam, normalized relations with China and the USSR, took us off the gold standard and worked very well with Democrats in Congress. If it wasn't for Watergate his Administration would have been a good one.
Added 13 years ago by Mabel74, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

14.

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Ulysses S. Grant Report Abuse
He was our 18th president and arguably one of the best presidents ever
562 points - added 13 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
US Grant is a difficult historical figure to judge. While he was not an effective executive he was, by his Generalship in defeating the south, he securely earned his place in history. He was one of the greatest men to ever be president.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -1 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

15.

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Gerald Ford Report Abuse
Our Long National Nightmare is over.... thats says it all. One of our greatest presidents
547 points - added 13 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
Total class. He began a renewal of trust of our federal government. (Those WIN buttons were strange though).
Added 12 years ago by guest, 10 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

16.

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William McKinley Report Abuse
539 points - added 14 years ago by paulT -

17.

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Herbert Hoover Report Abuse
528 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 1 comment
Comments:
I'm a Democrat, and Hoover gets a pretty bad rap. He inherited an economy marked by a decline in most everyone's disposal income, a decade-long farm depression and a construction boom gone bust. Almost immediately, businesses react to the lower demand for goods and slash production 20 percent in mid-'29. Reality dawns on investors a few months later, stocks crash, and then unemployment doubles a year into Hoover's administration. Hoover rejects predecessor Coolidge's do-nothing approach to markets and intervenes, but not enough. Then Hoover hurt his image with his rough handling of the Bonus marchers, the generally peaceful WWI vets who just wanted the money the government had promised them. Overall, he deserves an "E" for effort. but the efforts failed; no other president ever left office with a 25 percent unemployment rate before or since.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 4 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

18.

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James Madison Report Abuse
524 points - added 14 years ago by paulT -

19.

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Calvin Coolidge Report Abuse
465 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 4 comments
Comments:
Under Coolidge, real disposable income decreased for the bottom 93 percent of earners, the ongoing farm depression continued and the construction boom stopped. So consumer demand then slowed and, three months after Coolidge left office, businesses slashed production 20 percent while personal income plummeted. Coolidge just didn't think that wage and price levels mattered, and he vetoed bills that tried to address them. He did live long enough, until 1933, however, to witness the Great Depression for which his laissez-faire policies laid the foundation. Most historians give him low grades as president.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -1 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Too bad he died before great depression .. there would be none then.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
No. Not great at all. He mostly slept through the presidency, and it is believed this the policies of his administration was a set up for the Great Depression, just as the policies of Bush set up for the Great Recession.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -1 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
The most minimalist President in the last 110 years! When the 1920 Depression broke out, the Harding/Coolidge team cut taxes and spending and the country launched into the most prolific period of growth in our history [1920-1928]. We need a Coolidge now more than ever. A man who can mind his own business and let the country move on.
Added 13 years ago by tmills777, 2 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

20.

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Franklin D. Roosevelt Report Abuse
Often referred to by his initials, "FDR", he was a central figure of the 20th century during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war; elected to four terms in office, he served from 1933 to 1945 and is the only U.S. president to have served more than two terms; during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Roosevelt created the New Deal to provide relief for the unemployed, recovery of the economy, and reform of the economic and banking systems; some of his other legacies include the Social Security system and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB); he and his wife, Eleanor, remain touchstones for modern American liberalism; Roosevelt's administration redefined American liberalism and realigned the Democratic Party based on his New Deal coalition of labor unions, farmers, ethnic, religious and racial minorities, intellectuals, the South, big city machines, and the poor and workers on relief; FDR is consistently ranked as one of the greatest American presidents.
464 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 3 comments
Comments:
Changed the social compact between citizens and federal government forever. His leadership in obtaining victory in WW II speaks for itself.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
It had only been a precedent, not a law, that a president serve two terms. It's hardly dictatorial to decide not to. In 1940, Europe was at war, and we were barely a year from being in the war ourselves. If Mr. Roosevelt thought he'd been doing a good job, why would he not think he should continue? He probably should not have run in 1944 because of his health, but again ... we were in a war then. Perhaps he felt an urge to keep on until the war was finished. He seems to have been in all his actions as president a most democratic of men, despite being reared in a weathy family. Feeling obliged to finish a job is hardly the mark of a dictator.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
A very good President, but what keep him from being great is that after he was elected to his 2nd term he began to show the mindset of a dictator, e.g. his attempts to "pack" the Supreme Court and breaking George Washington's 2-term precedent. He forgot he was a servant of the public. He got to thinking he was entitled to the presidency, so he kept running and running for more terms until he died..
Added 13 years ago by Mabel74, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

21.

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John F. Kennedy Report Abuse
450 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 5 comments
Comments:
He made thee white house a friendlier place with his kids being there.
Added 7 years ago by guest, -1 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Aside from the fact that his presidency was tragically cut short, he probably was one of the most motivational presidents of all time. However, he was undoubtedly elected because of his wealth and good looks, and seemed to be more of president of promise, rather than a president of action.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -5 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
maybe he moved too slowly on civil rights because he was worried about nuclear was with the russians,
Added 12 years ago by constance, 15 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
NOT IN OFFICE LONG ENOUGH TO COMPILE A RANKING OF NO. 3. MOVED TOO SLOWLY ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Added 12 years ago by guest, -3 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Though his career as president was cut short, JFK led a new generation of people while in office. He continued the economic progress that the United states was already experiencing and furthered national defense and space sciences. Furthermore, he was the man who helped increase the minimum wage of Americans, giving more to the families of the country. He did experience failure, though, such as the Bay of Pigs incident in Cuba which cost many lives. He also fell short of bringing civil rights to a total close due to an unresponsive congress at the time. All in all, a good president.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -5 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

22.

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William Howard Taft Report Abuse
Our 27th president who did a mediocre job as such
438 points - added 13 years ago by guest -

23.

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Warren G. Harding Report Abuse
424 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 3 comments
Comments:
Harding cut taxes, ended wartime controls, opened the doors to the Roaring 20s, stopped a recession after SIX MONTHS, and he's considered bad from a few minor scandals that he didn't even have a clue about? People are ridiculous.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Maybe most corrupt. Grant's administration might be an equally corrupt. Harding was generally a nice fool. Grant truly was a great general, just not a good president.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -8 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Presided over the most corrupt administration in history. Completely lacked the experience and the temperament to be President. God knows how much worse he would have been had he served more than 2 1/2 years.
Added 13 years ago by Mabel74, -6 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

24.

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William Henry Harrison Report Abuse
422 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 2 comments
Comments:
I wish all their terms were short!
Added 12 years ago by jeffbestjeff, 11 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Served 30 days. Shouldn't be ranked.
Added 13 years ago by Mabel74, -6 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

25.

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Harry S. Truman Report Abuse
Only president to have seen combat in World War I; Truman's presidency was eventful in foreign affairs, with the end of World War II and his decision to use nuclear weapons against Japan, the founding of the United Nations, the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, the Truman Doctrine to contain communism, the beginning of the Cold War, the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the Korean War; he has never ranked lower than 9th place in presidential rankings.
370 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 3 comments
Comments:
Harry S. Truman bought his postage stamps with his own money.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Our only 20th century president with only high-school education was perhaps our best educated president in history. He understood the voltile nature of post WW II and safely led us through the global quagmire he inherited. Also, made the most far-reaching decision ever made in the oval office to end WW II with the atomic bomb being dropped on Japan.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Guided post-war world into a fragile peace. Integrated armed services.
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26.

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Chester A. Arthur Report Abuse
345 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 1 comment
Comments:
Expected to be corrupt because of his previous role as New York Port Commisioner ... turned out to be a pretty fair president. But not #13
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27.

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Woodrow Wilson Report Abuse
343 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 3 comments
Comments:
He did not give women the right to vote that was amended to the constitution, and an amendment has nothing to do with a presidents approval, he was an incredibly racist man, and he suspended the right of free speech during world war 1 with the Espianage acts. he was a horrible president and his league of nations failed to control Hitler when they had the chance, and was a very big reason for world war 2. not to mention he was a socialist.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
If this isn't evil, I don't know what is. We want one class of persons to have a liberal education and we want another class of persons, a very much larger class of necessity, to forgo the privileges of a liberal education and fit themselves to perform specific difficult manual tasks. - Woodrow Wilson from an address to The New York City High School Teachers Association Jan. 9th, 1909
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Don't listen to a word Glenn beck says about this guy. Woodrow is one of the best presidents and always will be. HE did so much for this country like the women the right to vote, he tried to stop the volstead act, he created the federal reserve, he made america a world power and tried to bring peace to the world after WW1 for he predicted that if there was no peace another war would come soon....WW2, This man does not deserve to be destroyed by Glenn Beck.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -6 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

28.

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James K. Polk Report Abuse
340 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 2 comments
Comments:
James Knox Polk is the best president we have ever had, please if you agree with me click the up button and give him some points =D
Added 11 years ago by guest, 3 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Annexed Texas and cemented concept of manifest destiny.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 9 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

29.

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Grover Cleveland Report Abuse
336 points - added 13 years ago by Mabel74 - 1 comment
Comments:
One of the most conservative presidents ever, and the most conservative democrat, he was great.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 6 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

30.

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Rutherford B. Hayes Report Abuse
336 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 1 comment
Comments:
Much better than average. Ended corruption in government. Proposed the canal linking the two oceans. An advocate of univeral education.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 9 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

31.

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Franklin Pierce Report Abuse
336 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 2 comments
Comments:
He wasn't an alcoholic while he was President. He flat out quit when he was booted out of politics for it early in his career. He was a sad man; he lost his children. Can't hold him to it.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 8 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Alcoholic, totally unqualified and unfit to be President. The second most unqualified President in U.S. history after Harding.
Added 13 years ago by Mabel74, -12 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

32.

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James Garfield Report Abuse
335 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 2 comments
Comments:
Why? He was a President of the United States -- that's what the list is for.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Only served 5 months, 2 months of which he was bedridden with a bullet wound. Shouldn't be ranked.
Added 13 years ago by Mabel74, -6 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

33.

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Zachary Taylor Report Abuse
335 points - added 14 years ago by paulT -

34.

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John Tyler Report Abuse
335 points - added 14 years ago by paulT -

35.

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Benjamin Harrison Report Abuse
334 points - added 14 years ago by paulT -

36.

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Andrew Jackson Report Abuse
325 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 3 comments
Comments:
He was not a good executive; however he WAS a GREAT president. Great Presidents dominate politics in their era: e.g. Reagan and this man right here. Too low.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -4 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
A no nonsense President, enough said! Yes he has a few blemishes on his record as President and one very shunning moment with the Native Americans but hands down one of the better Presidents our nation has had. Again, a no nonsense President and a people's President indeed. Our country and current administration could heed his logic in dealing with our modern enemies!
Added 13 years ago by guest, -2 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Andrew Jackson in my option was one of the best. He had downfalls but overall he did had many memorable action which is important when pointing out that most aren't even as popular as some.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -10 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

37.

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Andrew Johnson Report Abuse
319 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 1 comment
Comments:
I feel sorry for this guy everyone thinks he terrible when they compare him o Lincoln, but Lincoln saved the union while Johnson put it back together.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

38.

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Martin Van Buren Report Abuse
317 points - added 14 years ago by paulT -

39.

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Millard Fillmore Report Abuse
313 points - added 14 years ago by paulT -

40.

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James Buchanan Report Abuse
298 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 3 comments
Comments:
Buchanan's the worst. Secession started when he was president, yet he did nothing about it. Northern politicians weren't just worried about the South leaving the Union; they were also worried about secession talk in the gold-rich new state of California, separated from the rest of the states by 1,000 miles of unsettled land. That was one reason Lincoln acted so quickly to get the transcontinental railroad started, linking California to the rest of the US. But Mr. Buchanan never saw the long-term implications of the feds seeming to accept secession. Thanks for nothing, James.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
He is generally rated by historians as the dead last in presidents, i.e., the worst. Couldn't agree more.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
29 is way too high. Ranks right there with Carter and Harding among the worst of all time. He didn't lift a finger to try to stop the South from seceding, made no attempts to preserve the Union. Only a great man like Lincoln could have cleaned up the mess he left.
Added 13 years ago by Mabel74, 1 point Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

41.

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Jimmy Carter Report Abuse
Living proof that idealists make ineffective Presidents. An honest, morally upright man whose ideas were woefully out of touch with the public and whose own ideological stubbornness prevented him from working effectively with Congress. His refusal to stand up to the Soviets and the Evil Religion caused the USA to take a huge drop in international standing. The "Crisis of Confidence" speech and his pathetic handling of the Iranian Hostage Crisis were his death knells.
249 points - added 13 years ago by Mabel74 - 2 comments
Comments:
Last president with the courage to tell the US public the truth, good or bad.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -34 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
More likely that engineering make ineffective generalists, which our presidents must be. I'd rank him higher than 33, but not a great by any means. Given the choice between a Richard Nixon, generally effective until Watergate, but utterly without morals, and a Jimmy Carter, ineffective as a president but with a great moral fiber ... I'd take the Carter's.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -24 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

42.

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Lyndon B. Johnson Report Abuse
238 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 7 comments
Comments:
Truly a very political president. Got more bills passed than any other admiistration. Some were good some bad. he could be viewed as being socialist. Overall his problem Vietnam war is forever in our minds which ruined his presidency
Added 8 years ago by guest, 0 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
I dunno mabel, I think Lincoln was a little bit higher in the civil issues than LBJ!
Added 12 years ago by davecox, 71 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Jackie O said that she thought LBJ was behind JFK's murder
Added 12 years ago by redbarron80, 92 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
VIETNAM escalation!
Added 12 years ago by redbarron80, 88 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
It took political guts for a Southern president to firmly back civil rights ("Their fight is our fight. And we shall overcome.") in the mid-60s. He did it knowing it would turn the then-solidly Democratic South into Republican territory. He got Medicare started despite fierce Republican opposition (see Ronald Reagan), but eventually even the Republicans accepted its existence. He balanced budgets and lowered the national debt vs. GDP,. Then Johnson went into denial over the reality of what was happening in Vietnam, and it cost him and the US dearly. A gruff man who was clueless about military matters, the media found him easy pickin's -- so we may have forgetten that down deep, his heart was in the right place.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -42 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Civil rights leader. Medicare. Medicaid.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -42 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
He was instrumental in bringing about the end of Jim Crow segregation. The most significant White figure of the Civil Rights Movement. Would have been a successful President had he not escalated in Vietnam.
Added 13 years ago by Mabel74, -57 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

43.

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Bill Clinton Report Abuse
236 points - added 14 years ago by paulT - 1 comment
Comments:
Even hard-core conservatives pine for the boom-90s. He may have been a bit of a scroundel, but he was our scoundrel. and he knew how to turn in a budget surplus.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -65 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking

44.

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Barack Obama Report Abuse
143 points - added 13 years ago by guest - 15 comments
Comments:
Obama is one of the worst presidents ever! He continues, after 5 years, to blame the Bush Administration for everything. Obama takes no responsibility and it was not even Bush's fault for the hard times, it was Clinton's. Obama is awful
Added 10 years ago by guest, 59 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
fast and furious isnt helping him, Eric Holder needs to go, he is hurting obama. I know many of my family who never voted GOP in their life voting that way now!!
Added 11 years ago by redbarron80, 53 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Dont forget his illegal aunt and uncle living off the tax payers! Barack, cant all your rich Hollywood pals get them jobs? we are broke!!
Added 12 years ago by davebarry, 89 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
The most divisive President in my lifetime.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 133 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Solyndra, was a payoff to George kaiser
Added 12 years ago by redbarron80, 122 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Handled the Gulf oil spill very bad
Added 12 years ago by redbarron80, 114 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
He is not that good, seems like a nice fella, but bad leader.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 102 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
I am not a big fan, I had hoped for much better!
Added 12 years ago by guest, 107 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Obama will most likely go down in history as one of our hardest working presidents. I think by the time his second term is over he will have accomplished some great things for the U.S.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -72 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
The reason his popularity or favorable ratings aren't as high as when he was elected is because he's not as progressive as we hoped for. If he did what we elected him for he'd be top 10 material. As it is he still far from worst in my lifetime. I'm 55 and the worst in my ltime is Dubya Bush by a country mile. Having to follow and clean up after that jacka$$ is a hard job.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -70 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Pres. Obama is doing a tremendous job in cleaning up after his predecessor
Added 12 years ago by guest, -71 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
He's acheived in 2 years more than any other president other than FDR.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -63 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
I agree he should not be ranked yet ... let's wait 30-40 years. But he's far from our worst president ... very far indeed. Being on the far side of 60, I've lived through a few presidents. So far he's unexceptional but adequate. We'll see if greatness awaits him.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -59 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
I don't think it's fair to rank Obama after only 20 months in office. Let's hold judgment until at least the end of Year 2. However, you make very valid arguments about the inefficiency of his presidency.
Added 13 years ago by Mabel74, 33 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
Definitely on track to become the worst president in our nation's history. His administration is laced with corruptocrats from Chicago; a man who has read nothing of value outside Alinsky's Rules For Radicals and Marx. Has bankrupted the future of our children and grandchildren for decades; by quadrupling our national debt massive tax hikes are in the offing and his health care bill will kill hundreds of thousands of our senior citizens. He has cut or eliminated almost all of our missile defense programs and has left Poland dangling in the wind as a result. He is our chief law-enforcement officer, yet he as Bush did before him, done little to protect the citizenry from illegal gang/drug lords. He wants comprehensive immigration laws with Republican help! not to help these people, but to add them to the Democratic Party.
Added 13 years ago by tmills777, 85 points Vote + to improve this comment's ranking Vote - to decrease this comment's ranking
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