Rating Our Presidents

While we are on the topic of rating Presidents (see post 2/17/09 ), I see that there was a news release yesterday stating that, The Times, a British publication, released the following ratings list by a panel of eight historians:

10 Best Presidents
Lincoln
Washington
F.Roosevelt
Jefferson
T.Roosevelt
Eisenhower
Truman
Reagan
Polk
Wilson

10 Worst Presidents
Buchanan
Pierce
Van Buren
Harrison
Nixon
G.Bush
Hoover
Harding
Garfield
Filmore

Rating Presidents is strictly an academic exercise. Historians generally differ based on the time they lived and the eventual course of history, which is usually a reliable indicator. The public, however, uses a different standard based more on popularity and likeability. Thus, note the absence of Kennedy and Clinton from this list, although Kennedy did finish at number 11 on the best list. My good “friend” Jimmy Carter barely managed to escape the bottom 10.

I know you probably thought I took a cheap shot at Clinton in my previous post, but the historians said that although Clinton left office with a high approval rating they considered him mediocre. They added that he passed progressive legislation (welfare reform) but saddled himself with the Lewinsky scandal and landed at number 23. One panelist, Ben MacIntyre said, “Clinton promised so much, delivered so little and embarrassed everyone”. Isn’t that what they call a con man?

As an avid student of presidential history, I would remove F. Roosevelt from the top 10, based on his dismal performance during the Great Depression. He probably gets good grades for his charisma, communication skills, and leadership qualities, particularly during WWII. I also would raise Polk even higher in the standings; he was a man with great executive and management skills who presided over our “manifest destiny” period as a nation. I also would drop Wilson out of the top 10, since most of his term was served by his wife, not him. Maybe we should give her the 10 spot.

Also, I feel sorry for Harrison and Garfield. Harrison died after 23 days in office, when he got sick because he didn’t wear a coat while giving his inaugural address in freezing weather; and poor Garfield got shot and died after 4 months in office. So why are they on the worst 10 list? Maybe we should consider them “No shows”.

Who can dispute Lincoln and Washington, our greatest Presidents. Although the challenges are different today, do you really think they would have pushed that stimulus package?