Greatest American president? (Post-Lincoln)

[TheDeadWalk]

Very tough call for me.

I'm thinking FDR, myself. He dealt with a lot and came out with America being a superpower. He was also the nucleus that kept the U.S. and the USSR working together I feel.

Though there would have been no Cold War had Great Britain and France not went bankrupt winning wars.

[Annie Hall]

Calvin Coolidge! That man slept for 14 hours a day and took naps...

No, seriously, I've thought long and hard about this, and I firmly believe that we have had presidents ranging from good to wretched since Truman, but never great. Truman is my favorite president, he was humble, well-spoken, and thought clearly. FDR did a great deal, but I think that Truman stepped up to bat when he felt he needed to, and took greater risks in conjunction to what he was thought to be prepared for.

I dunno, I like Truman.

[JohnTheHenchman]

I chose Theodore Roosevelt.

[badberry]

I said FDR...he turned the country around in a time of great adversity, and was a hugely well respected leader. What other president was liked so much they let him stay on more than 2 terms?

[TheDeadWalk]

Originally posted by badberry
I said FDR...he turned the country around in a time of great adversity, and was a hugely well respected leader. What other president was liked so much they let him stay on more than 2 terms?

Haha. It'd be nice if they still let Presidents attempt more than two terms. Something tells me that old George W. wouldn't be in office right now if that were so...

[Moviefan1234]

I have to go with FDR. As badberry said he turned the country in the right direction in a time of adversity, but also because of the way he could motivate the country in his speeches. He was what a president should be, a great leader who knew how to connect with people.

[quoth_the_raven]

I've gone with Clinton. He had the best entertainment value :)

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by quoth_the_raven
I've gone with Clinton. He had the best entertainment value :)

Indeed. But he was also drastically underrated as a communicator and problem-solver. If the world (right) hadn't been so completely obsessed with him getting a hummer, he'd have accomplished a lot more.

But I'd go with FDR, or Truman.

[bob]

FDR, in all of his philandering glory.

[jeo4]

I won't discount the administrations of Truman and FDR. However, I think Reagan did a great job with foreign policy. He signed the first treaty with the USSR to halt production of nuclear arms and begin a non-proliferation treaty, as well as opening up a more peaceful relationship with them. He effectively helped end the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union. He also had terrific charisma and charm that carried the nation through even the toughest times during his administration.

I'd Say Truman comes second and FDR is third. I think Truman had a rougher job than FDR, although the New Deal was an important economic stimulus plan for the United States.

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by jeo4
I won't discount the administrations of Truman and FDR. However, I think Reagan did a great job with foreign policy. He signed the first treaty with the USSR to halt production of nuclear arms and begin a non-proliferation treaty, as well as opening up a more peaceful relationship with them. He effectively helped end the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union. He also had terrific charisma and charm that carried the nation through even the toughest times during his administration.

I'd Say Truman comes second and FDR is third. I think Truman had a rougher job than FDR, although the New Deal was an important economic stimulus plan for the United States.

I won't argue against what Reagan accomplished internationally. But to me his legacy rests with Star Wars, Reaganomics, adn the historically unparalelled inequities created between the haves and have-nots.

He strengthened our position worldwide, while sacrificing our standing amongst ourselves.

[Jerk Shapiro]

Reagan, because it's been awhile since we've had a president with a backbone like he did.

[TheDeadWalk]

Originally posted by Jerk Shapiro
Reagan, because it's been awhile since we've had a president with a backbone like he did.

I haven't even seen a Republican since him that has been near his quality since.

Except for Dan Quayle.

Wait...



No.

[RicochetShaw]

Good question, I'm going with FDR.


Worst: Warren G. Harding

[Lindsey]

John F. Kennedy is indeed my favorite president, because of his good looks and what he did for the people. But on the other hand, people forget about the Cuban missle crisis and the effect it had on Kennedy.

The greatest? Hands down, FDR.

(BTW, I just had my US History final an hour ago, and I got 91/100!) I know my history. :D

[quoth_the_raven]

Originally posted by Lindsey


(BTW, I just had my US History final an hour ago, and I got 91/100!) I know my history. :D


actually, it means you knew the history that you had studied ;)

[Jon Lyrik]

Warren Harding.

Just kidding.

John F. Kennedy. A chrismatic and intelligent leader, and the Cuban Missle Crisis alone puts him here.

FDR is a close second.

[ANavissi500]

Woodrow Wilson

I think people forget about him sometimes, but he led our country through some tough times and we are better because of it.

[Benny]

After a year of US History...

I will say FDR, because of his ability to lead of through two of the toughest times in our history- The Great Depression and World War II. His New Deal programs were important for many years after his presidency as well.

People forget about Teddy Roosevelt though, he was also a very good president and leader. TR was the first president since Lincoln to actually do anything worthwhile in the Oval Office, and he finally regulated big business and helped to stimulate the Progressive movement.

Other good post-Lincoln presidents:
Wilson: More progressive reforms, didn't enter WWI until absolutely necessary, only blemish was his inability to get other countries to support his 14 points and League of Nations

Truman: Ended WWII, helped lead us to economic prosperity in the 50's, chose to contain communism as well instead of starting another world war.

Ike: Kept us rolling throughout the 50's, prevented total nucler warfare

Clinton: Brought us economic boom-time in the 90's, erased mistake of Reaganomics, really connected to the public unlike his VP, brought much-needed changes to the welfare system and signed NAFTA, plus Republicans hated him!

[RicochetShaw]

Originally posted by ANavissi500
Woodrow Wilson

I think people forget about him sometimes, but he led our country through some tough times and we are better because of it.


He was also the most wildly idealist president we've ever had, though. More so than Bush.

[Jerk Shapiro]

Originally posted by RicochetShaw


Worst: Warren G. Harding



Touche'.



For me:


Worst: Jimmy Carter

[ANavissi500]

Originally posted by RicochetShaw
He was also the most wildly idealist president we've ever had, though. More so than Bush.

The League of Nations was an admirable idea.