Top 10 Outstanding US Presidents
Published on July 10, 2008 - 418 Comments
When we completed our Top 10 Worst US Presidents, we knew that we would eventually write a top 10 best presidents; fortunately for us Ro has done us the service of writing it himself. So, following on from our previous list of presidents, here are the ten best. As usual, name your preferences in the comments if you don’t agree.
John F. Kennedy was one charismatic president. He brought many teachers, writers, scientists and different intellectuals into the government. His inaugural speech was one of the modern greats as he called for service to his countrymen. He established the Peace Corps in order to help the undeveloped nations and was very devoted to working hard for new civil rights laws. He wanted to improve his country’s relation with the then Soviet Union but it was to no avail as the all powerful congress thought otherwise. This became further unrealistic when the Russians started to send missiles to Cuba. This brought the two countries to the verge of war but Kennedy was determined to avoid it at all cost and diffused all the tensions brilliantly. He had the power to inspire and considering that he only served as the president for a brief stint of about two years before being assassinated, he achieved a lot.
Andrew Jackson was a fearless president right from the beginning. He easily was the best president ever to serve the army - going well past the excellence of George Washington, smashing the British in the war of 1812 and then playing the paramount role in taking Florida from Spain. So during his presidency there was no shortage of courage as he demonstrated how great a role the president had to play, by undertaking the responsibility of getting people the laws they wanted instead of leaving everything up to the Congress. The Tariff act was passed in 1832, which would be significant to America’s economy forever. When North Carolina had other opinions about the act, Jackson made it clear that no state had the right to break national laws and threatened to use the army if necessary to save the union. He proved too strong and a compromise was worked out.
James Monroe’s presidency became known as the era of good feeling. He took trips around the country to know more about what was going on in the minds of people and what they wanted. He settled tensions between England and America by coming to an agreement of reducing the number of ships present in the great lakes which triggered a wave of friendly cooperation and peaceful negotiations which still exists today between the countries of America, England and France. He avoided war rather magnanimously and only wanted Florida and no more and took it effortlessly from Spain by using minimum force. The Missouri compromise was signed which allowed Missouri to be a slave state but make sure that all further states up north would be non slavery states. He also signed and ensured the Monroe Doctrine which forbade all European countries making new colonies in the Americas.
Thomas Jefferson cared passionately about his country and put the interests of the people before his. He cut down on the army and the navy as he thought that a country should be run cheaply as possible so there would always be money for bigger developments when the need came. He was successful in buying from France the whole Louisiana territory, stretching from the Mississippi river to the Rocky Mountains and henceforth doubled the size of his country. When there was a threat from the Barbary pirates based in Africa, he utilized his navy to attack these pirates which once again ensured the smooth flow of American ships through the Mediterranean Sea. He was on very good terms with the people and mostly likely would have been reelected; instead he stepped down as president, believing that no one should run for more than two terms for democracy to be sustained in the land of the free.
Grover Cleveland was a tremendously hard working president. He began to reform the federal government and at the same improved civil service to get better workers. He forced the railroads to return 81 million acres of government which they had taken illegally. He took care to scrutinize every bill the congress passed and vetoed many of them which he thought weren’t beneficial to his countrymen. As he worked so fervently he never turned a deaf ear to any one of the country’s problems and even boosted the navy by getting them the best ships. When a railroad strike in Chicago interfered with the mail he sent the federal troops at once to clear up the matter. He totally imbued his virtues of hard work and honesty into the federal government which indeed made it very efficient and also gained confidence from the people. Cleveland really is the most underrated president ever in United States history.
Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest ever president when he took the oath and he brought his exuberance into the office as expected. He controlled trusts so that small businesses and workers were not exploited. He wanted every one to have a square deal which was eponymous to his administration’s name. He got congress to pass laws which protected the people from impure food and drugs and forced the owners of the coal mines during that time to pay better wages to its laborers. He is recognized as having done more than any other president to save the natural resources of USA. Roosevelt established national parks and more than 125 million acres of national forests. A firm believer in having a strong navy, he also got congress to build new battleships and cruisers. It was for the objective that the navy could move easily from one ocean to the other and also for trade purposes that he built the Panama Canal.
James Polk was one of the few presidents who made his agenda clear and actually went on to accomplish every one of his preplanned goals. Under him the congress passed laws to set up a national treasury and to lower the tariff, just as he had said he wanted to. He avoided war with England and split the Oregon territory between the U.S and Canada which remains the present day border. Despite having settled the Oregon issue so peacefully, the same proved more difficult in the case of California. Mexicans wouldn’t sell their land and the revolutions he tried to stir up there all failed. But he couldn’t let this last promise of bringing California under the union fall apart so he persevered. Slowly over the course of the next few months he bullied Mexico in to a war it didn’t want to fight. America won and took not only California but what is now all of Nevada and parts of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.
FDR was faced with the immediate problem of depression as soon as his arrival to the oval office. He declared bank holidays which closed all banks; they were then opened a few at a time with government help. He got congress to pass laws which helped farmers, small businesses and people who were about to lose their homes during that time. He kept moving on with his social reforms which changed the course of American government. Just when things started to return back to normal and the people grew in confidence, World War 2 commenced. He wanted the allies to win to protect democracy all over the world and kept sending more and more supplies to the British to overcome the forces which threatened freedom. America eventually joined in the war. He saw the USA through two grave crises and his last great achievement was to lay the foundation of what would later be the UN.
Woodrow Wilson was an admirable principled president. He got congress to lower the tariff and he reformed the national banking system. He also got the congress to declare that it wasn’t against the law for working men to go on strike. When world war one started his aim was clearly to stay out of it, he instead looked forward to help the warring countries to make peace. When German submarines bombed American ships in the Atlantic without warning, the USA was engaged in the war. More than anything else Wilson wanted this to be a war to end all the wars. Even at the time of fighting, he drew up his famous 14 Point Peace plan. The most important of these called for a League of Nations which would settle future rifts between nations. Germany had surrendered and the League of Nations was formed. But without the approval of the U.S senate America couldn’t join and without the USA the body was rendered useless. But Wilson kept traveling around the country making speeches in favor of the league. He left a legacy for peace which people still dream about.
Abraham Lincoln became the president when everything was going wrong for the USA. There were still a number of Border States which were left undecided on whether to stay in the Union or not, he wanted to hold on to these states if he possibly could. Secondly a lot of Northerners believed that neither the Union nor slavery was worth fighting about. Fighting a war at that time would mean a lot of people not supporting him. He had the gifted ability to make the people understand what he was doing and when Civil War broke out he made them understand that the USA was the only genuine democratic government in the world and his job was to hold the Union together. Since slavery had started this whole mess in the first place, he believed that it had to perish for the nation to live. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation and worked for the 13th amendment to ban slavery. Although these did not effectively ensure the end of slavery, it won sympathy for the North throughout the world which culminated into its victory in the end. He had no plans for revenge and just wanted to restore the union as soon as possible, bu, alas, he was assassinated. He is arguably the most mourned president ever.
Contributor: Ro
Related Lists10 Shortest Serving US PresidentsTop 10 Cool Dance Videos Top 15 Beatles Songs Top 10 Worst US Presidents |
SubscriptionsLike this article? Subscribe to the RSS feed to keep 'em coming, or subscribe via email: |
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.
Email This Post
1. Gecko - July 11th, 2008 at 5:24 am
Most of these people I haven’t heard of before, but I’m sure they must’ve made a difference.
2. That guy - July 11th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Wheres George Dubya Bush??
Great list, Lincoln definitely deserves the top spot.
3. the dread pirate bob - July 11th, 2008 at 5:37 am
I’ve never really though of JFK as a particularly good president, he is fondly remembered because he had such great charisma and because he was assasinated, he was a morally bankrupt person from a morally bankrupt family, there is plenty of reason to believe that had several election boxes in Chicago not “disappeared” that he never would have been president. Realistically he was not president long enough to have a truly historic impact expect for by those who fall into the cult of personality. Oh yeah and that whole Vietnam War thing? He was a big cause of the US being involved.
Replace him with Truman and the list works for me
Also all of the internet loons who rant and cry over the current administration curinb many of our civil liberties and all should know that Lincoln suspended habeas corpus as did FDR. Nothing we’re seeing now is new
4. astraya - July 11th, 2008 at 5:44 am
After the recent fireworks of gay marriage, children’s movies and William Shakespeare, a list that I’m sure everyone will agree about and we’ll all be happy little vegemites accepting and cherishing each others’ political opinions!
Or maybe not. Prove me wrong. I’m Australian. I’ll keep out of this.
5. MojoRisin - July 11th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Wow i can tell this list will be very controversial. I don’t really know enough about the US presidents to have a say. However i did notice the lack of George Washington…any particular reason Ro?
6. billyrules! - July 11th, 2008 at 5:47 am
Yay for Theodore Roosevelt!
7. bucslim - July 11th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Jackson might have been an effective leader, but he was a gigantic tool. The Indian removal policy alone should be enough to disqualify him from this list. When he wasn’t running the Indians off their land, (4000 Cherokees died in the trail of tears) he was picking fights with his enemies and beating the shit out of hecklers.
8. bucslim - July 11th, 2008 at 5:53 am
And I’m sorry, but George Washington should be on this list. There isn’t a listing of great presidents out there that doesn’t put him in the top three, save this one.
9. DiscHuker - July 11th, 2008 at 5:58 am
you have got to respect truman for having to step in to the middle of WWII and have the balls to make some tough decisions.
10. cparker - July 11th, 2008 at 6:01 am
I agree with MojoRisin (I use to be a big Morrison fan Mojo), where is George Washington. Perhaps you left him out because he is obviously the best president we had. The other’s are great but you cannot be serious about Washington. Shed some light please.
11. mregan - July 11th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Name the list “effective” presidents and I’ll second Polk and Jackson. I cannot agree with some of their principles, but cannot disagree that they effected them. (I agree with Lincoln that the Mexican War was the most unjust ever perpetrated by a stronger nation against a weaker, and agree w/bucslim that Jackson’s Indian policy, though vastly popular with his contemporaries, cannot really stand moral scrutiny.)
12. ftworth - July 11th, 2008 at 6:01 am
The Reagan omission is obvious - and impies this list is not bi-partisan.
13. cparker - July 11th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Bucslim - what you about Jackson is true but I miss that way of leadership. Not arguing that the trail of tears was an aweful move, but he was strong and did not take sh*t from no one. A guy tried to shoot him twice and the gun misfired, Jackson himself beat the dude good, even before his goons could. Sometimes a heavy hand is good. Indian thing was his only downfall in my eyes, but a big downfall nonetheless. He has my respect though.
14. lark - July 11th, 2008 at 6:06 am
i was shocked to find woodrow wilson as number two, honestly.
all of this comes from my college course in american history, but Woodrow wilson was not particularly liked for his 14-points. His own congress wouldn’t get behind him (which makes the newbie country look unorganised & weak)to give approval to join the League of Nations, something he himself invented. This sends a mixed message to the world & as my professor put it, Wilson’s failure to win U.S. entry into the League was the biggest mistake of his administration (and even as one of the largest failures of any American presidency).
nevermind the fact that he was apparently rude, disrespectful & “acted bored” when in meetings after the way in Europe, mainly inciting the French, whom he constantly mocked.
just sayin’. when i read this, everything from my history course came back & i just had to let you know what real historians (my professor is one of the TOP historians in the Southeast, with many acredited books to his name), such as my professor don’t agree with a completely wonderful review of Wilson.
15. lark - July 11th, 2008 at 6:07 am
* in meetings after the war in Europe
16. jfrater - July 11th, 2008 at 6:08 am
I KNEW this would cause sparks - just because Washington was first doesn’t make him best - important is the long term result of the administration. And I can’t believe we are going to get the whole “too left wing” or “too right wing” thing - the list was written by a non-American and edited by a non-American (me) - I don’t even know if these guys were republicans or democrats - or whether those parties even existed at the time of these people!!!
17. jfrater - July 11th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Okay - I have worked it out (thanks to Wikipedia) - of this list, 5 were Democrats, 2 were republicans, and 3 were Democratic-Republicans - surely this is a fairly moderate mix of presidents! This isn’t a competition - it is about the best policies at the time.
18. bucslim - July 11th, 2008 at 6:21 am
Jamie - I don’t believe that the folks listed here were republican or democrat in the modern definitions of those terms - except Kennedy or maybe FDR.
Plenty of Republicans will decry the omission of Reagan, because in recent memory he stood for just about everything we believe in, less government, less regulation, less taxes, strong military, not to mention he was the most popular President of the era.
19. Harsha - July 11th, 2008 at 6:23 am
No harry S Truman, the list fails
20. Harsha - July 11th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Also the inclusion of W.Wilson, let alone him be #2, makes me go WTF!
Hmmm, I smell a democrat in Ro!!
21. Ghidoran - July 11th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Apparently you need Harry S Truman. And where’s George Washington? Lol
22. Ruairi - July 11th, 2008 at 6:35 am
William McKinley Approves!
23. Matt Silb - July 11th, 2008 at 6:35 am
Grover Cleveland:
“When a railroad strike in Chicago interfered with the mail he sent the federal troops at once to clear up the matter.”
Translation: he used American soldiers to attack and kill American workers. He intervened in a commercial dispute, the supposed free market, to unsure that worked could not do what owner did: organize.
24. Mom424 - July 11th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Bucslim: Yes Reagan was popular. Too bad too, you’re still paying for his disastrous economic policies and the climate of greed he fostered. You have the second or third highest poverty rate in any developed country. The income disparity in the US between the haves and the have-nots is also one of the largest of any western nation. Again in no small part due to the me, me, me, Reagan philosophy.
An argument can also be made that his influence on the end of the cold war was marginal. They were imploding anyway.
He doesn’t belong on any list lauding presidential accomplishments.
25. Lincoln was THE WORST - July 11th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Why is Lincoln on the list and Bush not?
Lincoln’s constitutional violations (such as the suspension of habeas corpus three times during his presidency) and the arrest and detainment without trial of many members of the Maryland state legislature for three years IIRC makes Bush look like a schoolboy when it comes to violations of civil rights.
Contrary to what people think, Lincoln had stated many times the civil war was not about slavery, it was about preservation of the union. In fact, one of the reasons why he was elected was because of his moderate stance on the slavery issue. If the civil war was about slavery, then explain why the Emancipation Proclamation was issues 3 years into the war? And legally it didn’t apply to those states who were no longer part of the union.
I will go as far as to say that one of the reasons Bush does what he does today is because of the precedence this awful, awful president set way back when.
26. Kreachure - July 11th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Several official historical rankings of U.S. presidents have been done over the years.
Historical rankings of US presidents
*yawn* goodbye.
27. Kreachure - July 11th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Sonuva– okay here it goes again:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.....Presidents
28. alf1369 - July 11th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Kennedy was such a horrible president that he would have easily lost re-election. Politically, the assassination saved his legacy. Jackson was almost impeached for monkeying around with the federal banking system and causing an economic collapse (plus he won the Battle of New Orleans AFTER the war was over, so his victory had no effect on the outcome of the war). What made Washington so great was not that he was the 1st president, but that he preserved our fragile democracy at a time when he could have easily been made king or at least dictator for life by limiting his presidency. Finally, if you’re actually serious about ranking them by the effectiveness, how can the accomplishments of half of these presidents compare to Ronald Reagan crushing the air traffic controllers strike, stopping the spread of communism in Central America, and the defeat of the Soviet Union in the Cold War?
29. Mom424 - July 11th, 2008 at 6:55 am
LincolnWasTheWorst: Because Bush is a lying manipulative scum-sucker and Lincoln was not. In a nut-shell.
30. ArmyStrong - July 11th, 2008 at 6:56 am
OK, I sorta agree on Washington. The thing is Washington was what we needed right then and there. Yes, he was a great president, yes he did a lot of good for the country. However lets not confuse the fact that just because he was the first president with greatness. There are a few people on this list that I do disagree with but this list IS written(and edited) by a disinterested third party. As for JFK, regardless of his scandalous family and the POSSIBILITY of voter fraud he did do a lot for this country in the short time that he was in office. At the time of his assassination he was trying to extricate our country from a war that we didnt want to fight. He also started NASA, The Peace Corps, and averted a serious problem with the Russians via Cuba (Cuban Missile Crisis).
31. Beau Knerr - July 11th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Jackson was a fucking monster.
32. Mom424 - July 11th, 2008 at 7:00 am
alf1369: And you think crushing the Air Traffic Controllers strike was a good thing? For whom? Organized labour? Travelers? Definitely not for the air traffic controllers.
33. alf1369 - July 11th, 2008 at 7:01 am
I didnt say it was a good thing.. I said it was EFFECTIVE. Please dont try and place words in my mouth.
34. alf1369 - July 11th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Also Mom424.. if you check your stats, the reason you can say that the US has such a high poverty rate is because the US definition of poverty is so broad, it would encompass the middle class of most developed nations. Compare apples to apples, and you’ll see why most of the world wants to be HERE.
35. Shaner5000 - July 11th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Mom24: Or we could have had four more years of Jimmy Carter, with huge inflation, huge interest rates, huge unemployment, and no economic growth. The US under Carter was an economic blight, and Reagan fixed that. What was Carter’s solution? Wear sweaters. To say Reagan doesn’t belong on any list of presidential accomplishments is dishonest.
36. Shaner5000 - July 11th, 2008 at 7:08 am
And what is a racist, Ku Klux Klan apologist doing on a list of “outstanding” presidents? Woodrow Wilson set back race relations in this county another ten years. Put him on a list of presidential accomplishments, not a list of outstanding presidents.
37. bucslim - July 11th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Mom424 - I disagree with you about Reagan, but you knew that.
38. Joe MIzz - July 11th, 2008 at 7:09 am
What no George Washington? Must be a Brittish site. There would be no America whithout old George.
39. bucslim - July 11th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Mom424 - It is against federal law for federal employees to strike. They struck and he fired them for breaking the law.
40. TH Jack - July 11th, 2008 at 7:11 am
ummm Andrew Jackson smashing the British in the War of 1812? There were more American fatalities then British, if you call that a good thing then you’re nuts.
41. zionred - July 11th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Without Reagan, this particular list is an absolute farce.
42. Blacknimbus - July 11th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Terrible list…but I’m not shocked. It’s pretty much on par with the Most Dangerous Places list that had the US at the top.
There should be a place on the list for Reagan and for Washington. I can’t fathom what ‘disastrous economic policies’ Reagan fostered. I’d love to hear exactly what that was. And Washington was a great president not because he was the first, but he was one of the best.
Insofar as Ronald Reagan goes, the fact of the matter is that taxes went down in the 80’s, revenue went up (it always does when you lower taxes) and the Soviet Union was defeated. America was in decline after the 70’s and he turned that all around.
43. EricB - July 11th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I personally would have Teddy Roosevelt at #1 with FDR at 2, but good list nonetheless
44. JLo - July 11th, 2008 at 7:39 am
I heard an interview with Michael R. Beschloss, a presidential historian, and he said something like it takes 20-25 years before we can determine what kind of legacy a president will leave. That being said, I think Reagan should be on this list. Whether or not you agree with Reagan’s politics, he helped turn America around and fostered optimism in our country. I don’t know much about Jackson, but I wonder about his inclusion on this list. I also wonder why George Washington is not on this list.
I would even suggest Truman should have a place on this list as well.
45. Dianne - July 11th, 2008 at 7:45 am
If you’re fond of Theodore Roosevelt a good book to read is “Mornings on Horseback” which shows the history of himself and his family to just beyond death of his first wife. It gives a great background to his upbringing and early experiences.
Also of interest is researching his time in the Badlands after the death of Alice Lee. Only Theodore Roosevelt would tackle the Badlands the way he did….
And if Harry Truman isn’t on this list, surely he is #11, he was a good solid man in a tough job, following FDR…
46. Diet-Z - July 11th, 2008 at 7:45 am
I agree with Washington and to a lesser extent on Reagan (his dealings with the U.S.S.R. alone should get him on the list).
What about Lyndon Johnson? JFK gets a lot of credit for the Civil Rights movement, but it was LBJ who pushed the legislation through and made it a reality. LBJ had a lot of influence in Congress (including dirt on just about every Senator) and he made JFK’s ideals a reality.
Fun list though!
47. JT - July 11th, 2008 at 8:04 am
pictures not working for anyone else?
48. spartacus - July 11th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Although Grover Cleveland had a very successful first term as president, his second term led to the Great Deppression. Therefore I’m not too positive he should be on this list. I also don’t know if Polk fits into the category as an “Outstanding President”. I’d say Washington, John Adams, Reagan and Truman should find a spot on here. And maybe even Jefferson Davis for kicks. Haha ;p
49. chershey - July 11th, 2008 at 8:07 am
What about our current president? Never before has a president been so charismatic or has made such great decisions that the near-whole of the country distrusts and hates him…
50. green - July 11th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Too early to tell about Reagan’s presidency.
I agree that Jackson should have lost points b/c of the Trail of Tears
JFK was a good president during his short term, but doesn’t stand up to the rest of the list.
Washington should have his spot
51. Joss - July 11th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Thumbs down to Lincoln.
52. HulkSmashNow - July 11th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Kennedy didn’t really do much during his short Presidency, except nearly plunge us into a nuclear World War III and escalate our presence in Vietnam. In fact, Kennedy was likely to have not won re-election in ‘64. He was an adulterer, a plagarist, and was only elected in the first place thanks to his father’s and the mob’s efforts.
53. liantener - July 11th, 2008 at 8:29 am
The United States didn’t defeated the Soviet Union (no less Reagan). The Soviet Union went down on their own.
54. Sharki - July 11th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Polk did not bully Mexico in to war. Mexico started the war by refusing to recgonize the Rio Grande as the boarder between Texas and Mexico.
55. Iain - July 11th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Pah! You’re all wrong - what about…
Thomas J Whitmore
Bill Mitchell
James Marshall
McKenzie Allen
David Palmer
Wayne Palmer
Josiah Bartlett
56. Cyn - July 11th, 2008 at 8:44 am
some code work is being done onsite atm…so may’ve been or could be some slight disruptions. please be patient.
thanx.
57. Iain - July 11th, 2008 at 8:49 am
…and there’ll be strong words if anyone tries to vote for Charles Logan, Allen Richmond or Merkin Muffley
58. pwnstar - July 11th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Ah, Reagan that cheeky SOB. The one that sold nukes to Iran to fund the contras in Nicaragua to take down the revolutionaries that just overthrew the old brutal regime. The very ineffective and costly War On Drugs, oo thats a good one.The image he has in Sout hand Central America, where hes supposedly stopped the spread of “evil” communism, doesnt have a very high image of him.
59. pwnstar - July 11th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Ah, Reagan that cheeky SOB. The one that sold nukes to Iran to fund the contras in Nicaragua to take down the revolutionaries that just overthrew the old brutal regime. The very ineffective and costly War On Drugs, oo thats a good one.The image he has in Sout hand Central America, where hes supposedly stopped the spread of “evil” communism, doesnt have a very high image of him.
60. Emeraldi - July 11th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Omission of JFK and especially Woodrow Wilson would make the list decent.
61. MelClev - July 11th, 2008 at 8:56 am
What a hornet’s nest you have stirred up! Quite interesting to seen an outsiders view of best presidents. Though I admit that I agree with some of them…
62. smerkis - July 11th, 2008 at 9:13 am
who ever wrote this needs to read a history book. FDR set up presidents for future office holders that have screwed up our country in ways very few realize. He had the executive order stuff, judge appointment scandal, and mostly social security. Which is sending this country to hell real fast. Also the only reason we got out of the depression is couse of WWII, we weren’t getting slowly back to our feet, we were still in the depression till we got all up into the war
And i dont think that jackson can be considered a great president with the whole trail of tears thing and the amount of contradictions in his political agenda. No national bank but the president has a stupid amount of power. I missed that flow of logic.
63. Vera Lynn - July 11th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Ummm, What were the interest rates for buying a house under Reagan? 18% I believe. Yeah. Reagan was one groovy guy. How many people covered for him about his Alzheimer’s?
64. Vera Lynn - July 11th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Jfrater Not to get WAY off topic, I heard the Gourdies Rd, Reporoa is one of the world’s fastest roads. True?
65. julesw81 - July 11th, 2008 at 9:33 am
“In the words of Abraham Lincoln, ‘If you’re a racist, I’ll attack you with the North.’”
-Michael Scott, The Office
66. Vera Lynn - July 11th, 2008 at 9:33 am
“Goudies”
67. Matt - July 11th, 2008 at 9:38 am
and what about what Jackson did to the Native Americans, yea, the press are responsible for his wife’s death, but its not the Native American’s fault.
68. Mom424 - July 11th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Bucslim: Yes I did, just wanted to show both sides of the coin. With Randall somewhat absent of late, I just wanted to make sure it didn’t go altogether unchallenged. We’ve agreed to disagree on this before.
I did know about the illegality of the Air Traffic Controllers strike, but I have always sided with them in this particular instance. They have a high stress, high turnover job and were hugely undervalued at the time. There were many near misses due to the mass firings as well. Everyone was lucky that the consequences were not higher.
We too have “essential services” that are not allowed to strike. In our country I do believe that it is only police and firemen who are legislated as such. We have had the government step in and force binding arbitration with teachers, nurses and city workers. I might add because both sides of the issue were acting like spoiled babies and neither would compromise.
69. Bartle - July 11th, 2008 at 10:02 am
George Washington acheived many great things and held the country together when it could have easily fallen apart. One reason above all makes him the greatest president and one of the greatest human beings ever to have lived. He voluntarily stepped down from a position which entailed an enormous amount of power and he could have held on to it forever. How many of the recent presidents you think would turn down all that power for the sake of their country?
70. Mathilda - July 11th, 2008 at 10:09 am
The Emancipation Proclamation only “freed” slaves in the Confederate States which were not under union control at that time. It specifically did NOT include border states or Confederate States (or portions thereof) under Union control (Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Tennessee). This glaring hypocrisy always seems to be ignored by history. If Lincoln really wanted to end slavery for moral reasons I believe he might have included ending slavery in his OWN country first.
71. Csimmons - July 11th, 2008 at 10:11 am
hey, where the hell is Dubya?!!?
great list! and I totally agree with Lincoln being #1
72. Csimmons - July 11th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I would also add George Washington, without him, no USA, and as for Kennedy, I wouldn’t say he was one of the best, overrated in my opinion.
73. QDV - July 11th, 2008 at 10:47 am
While I wouldn’t call him an “outstanding President,” give Chester Alan Arthur some points for coming from a corrupt system, yet, after becoming President, he became “The Father of Civil Service” with the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. Even Mark Twain praised him, and that leads to my vote for Harry S Truman, another guy with ties to corrupt political machines, who inherited a crap job and did wonders with it. Sure, he was unpopular later on — funny how folks don’t learn from history about foreign entanglements — but his administration ended World War II, brought us the Marshall Plan, and yes, got the ball rolling on civil rights (after Truman was outraged about a black American serviceman’s having returned home in the South to be attacked by racists who gouged out his eyes). Don’t forget about “Dewey Defeats Truman.”
Plus, how can you go wrong with a guy who, after reading a bad review of his daughter’s singing (which was probably deserved, but hey, HST’s her father!), sends a letter to the reviewer, gives the guy both barrels, and says, in part:
“Some day I hope to meet you. When that happens you’ll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!” http://www.trumanlibrary.org/trivia/letter.htm
You have to look pretty hard to see the feature on this at HST’s library — it’s hidden in the basement — but Truman later warmed up to the reviewer, and eventually wrote him [paraphrasing] “I hope you don’t mind all the fun I’ve had with you and Eisenhower over the years.”
74. Cedestra - July 11th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Bucslim and Beau Knerr: I totally agree, 100%. He’s the only one on this list I have a strong negative feeling about. He was a major asshat and I’ve always held him in contempt (well, at least since AP US History in my junior year of high school). I believe he attacked a would-be assassin and normally I would give him major props for being so kick ass, but he can rot in Hell for all I care. Jackson’s policies involving the Native Americans were atrocious. He was a dangerous strong-arm, and nothing more. His IQ was lower than our current…um…person in charge. Ever wonder where the term “O.K.” came from? Andrew Jackson. He would print “O.K.” on the forms that needed proofing, meaning “Oll Korect”.
I would put up, for consideration, John Adams. Nice, thought provoking list. I can see you put a lot of time into it, Ro.
75. Reformission - July 11th, 2008 at 11:11 am
This makes me think that I, as an American, probably shouldn’t write a list of the greatest British Prime Ministers or the outstanding PMs of NZ. This is one bone-headed list (Jefferson at #7 and no Washington!?), but that in and of itself was not reason enough for me to wade into my first comments section after 8 months of avid Listverse reading. But Lincoln at number one is . . .
Nevermind the political opportunism and the violation of constitutional rights, and table for a moment the great lie that “Lincoln freed the slaves,” consider the outright imperialism of the Union troops invading a legally separate country! This is why it is error to refer to the conflict in question as a civil war. A civil war is a war between factions of the same country. The War of Northern Aggression was an industrial nation dominating and subduing an agrarian neighbor - Lincoln knew this and that is why he used the slavery issue for political spin. Sic semper tyrannus!
76. infallibleangel - July 11th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Old “Trail of Tears” Jackson?!
77. The Dude - July 11th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Ridiculous list. Faulty information.
“Since slavery had started this whole mess in the first place, he believed that it had to perish for the nation to live.”
The emancipation proclomation only freed slaves in the southern states, but did not free a single slave in the northern states (i.e. New Jersey , i.e. Ulysses Grant’s slaves). The war was started because the Northern states invaded the Southern states. Based on the Constitution, which Lincoln did a great job of butchering, it was legal for South Carolina to leave the Union. Thats what really happened.
78. The Dude - July 11th, 2008 at 11:24 am
An American should’ve wrote this list… I would never think about compiling a list of the greatest Mexican leaders… crazy shit.
79. chris - July 11th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Post No. 25 nailed it.
Contributor needs to read a bit more.
80. rocknopera - July 11th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Andrew Jackson would actually be on my top 10 list of worst presidents…
81. kiwiboi - July 11th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Also all of the internet loons who rant and cry over the current administration curinb many of our civil liberties and all should know that Lincoln suspended habeas corpus as did FDR. Nothing we’re seeing now is new
pirate bob - not being new does not make it right.
And, as for those “internet loons”…well the US Supreme Court apparently supports those who “rant and cry” (ie. the judgement on GWB’s cute attempt to circumvent civil liberties by using Gitmo).
82. kris - July 11th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I read a book on Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson … I can’t see pictures on the list.
83. Kreosote - July 11th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I call Bullshit on this list. I’m not getting into all presidents, but:
-Kennedy opposed the civil right movement, even order wiretaps on MLK
-Wilson was an open rascist, actively segregated all branches of government.
-FDR tricked the USA into WW2. (He held a secret press conference announcing that Japan would attack Pearl Harbor. Anybody ever questioned the fact that a ultra rare (at the time) color camera was set up facing a hospital boat on a Sunday morning at 8am exactly on the day Japan attacked? Besides that, all the vessels still in Pearl Harbor were outdated, the modern ships were ordered away. And also, the commander at the time figured out Japan was gonna attack, so he order patrols and so forth, only to be ordered to order them back.)
-Jefferson only freed 8 slaves in his lifetime, and they were all relatives of his. Furthermore, he would sell badly tortured slaves to Southern slave owners so they would have to use their own slaves to set examples of what would happen when disobedient.
-The Civil War was most definitely fought over slavery, but not in the sense of injustice. Slavery was the driving force of American economy.
A great book to read is “The Lies My Teacher Told Me” by James Loewen. Surprisingly, this book is not a revisionist manifesto, rather, it’s a plea to change American High School History courses from a Nationalist/Patriotic pile of bullshit into actual fact.
84. JayArr - July 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am
The USSR went bankrupt before we did - thanks in great part to Reagan’s military spending policies. The Soviets could not keep up with the Jones’s, as it were.
I love how so many people have such disparate opinions on which presidents were the best/greatest and which were simply effective - part of greatness IS effectiveness.
All I can say is that it’s sure a good thing this list has kept most of the presidents’ personal lives (and failings) out of the mix for inclusion criteria - we might only have 5 presidents who could even be condenders for the list…
85. Xay - July 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Didn’t Andrew Jackson ritualistically kill of or take away land from the Indians?
I really don’t feel like any of our presidents are great, but I do agree some have done better jobs than others.
86. JayArr - July 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am
err… *contenders* I need more caffeine!
87. Greg - July 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Why is Teddy Roosevelt only on number 5?! He built the Panama Canal, Busted monopolies, and did a lot of stuff!!
88. dave4248 - July 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
This list blows chowder. I usually like Jfrater, but not this time. Only Lincoln, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt and MAYBE FDR belong on this list. The rest of it is a JOKE!…especially #10.
89. Ben Heitzman - July 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
This list is a farce. Wilson #2? Honestly?
90. the dread pirate bob - July 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I forgot to mention in my earlier post.
Andrew Jackson is the greatest president ever, make that EVER, for one reason when an insane man (claiming to be King Richard III) attempted to assissinate Jackson and both pistols misfired Jackson beat the man with a cane and had to be restrained. Maybe not all of his policies were perfect but as far as bad asses go no tops Jackson or Teddy Roosevelt.
91. Cedestra - July 11th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I have to say, though, that all the presidents were flawed, even the ones we really love. You can always nitpick and find problems with the country’s best presidents.
JFrater did not write this list, people, Ro did- I don’t know nationality, but he could be American.
92. Talanic - July 11th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Another vote for Jackson to be demoted. GAH! Okay, technically he belongs on this list because it’s OUTSTANDING presidents, and he sure does stand out. But here’s the ways he really, really screwed up.
1. He destroyed the national bank, equivalent to annihilating the Federal Reserve, because he didn’t understand it. This directly devalued all US currency and led to the first Depression the United States ever experienced.
2. He violated the separation of powers by defying the courts, which had declared that the Cherokee had full rights to remain on their land. He openly stated that, though it was the courts’ decision, they could try and force him to obey. He then found some members of the Cherokee tribe who wanted to leave, declared them the leaders of their people and ‘bought’ their land from them.
3. He was’t even that good of a general. The War of 1812 was a massive screw-up and his battle of New Orleans was a politically irrelevant stroke of luck. He had a good position and the weather changed to favor him mid-battle, stripping his opponents of the fog cover and preventing their auxiliaries from assaulting his flanks. The lessons learned in the battle he fought were then applied to many other battles - including some of those in the civil war, where generals emulating Jackson’s style wound up losing thousands of troops.
93. modelpenguin - July 11th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Andrew Jackson practically annihilated the Native Americans himself. As a Native American, I find it hurtful he is considered a great president. I would be a full-blooded Cherokee if it weren’t for him. =(
94. logar - July 11th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Teddy R. also won the Nobel Peace Prize, lest we forget. Thinking about it, I would probably put him No.1 for all of his badassery in NY, Cuba, and elsewhere. He’s the man all Presidents should aspire to be- no nonsense, worldly, awesome mustache.
95. travis - July 11th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
fdr was a terrible president. if you study the great depression, you actually learn that his policies lengthened the depression. nothing really ever got better, and his policies might have actually caused the smaller depression around 1937. the war pulled us out of the depression, not fdr.
96. sdggrant - July 11th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Great list, but you are wrong about the Civil War. It did NOT start because of slavery, it started because the northern states were making the southern states pay taxes in which they thought were unfair. Slavery didn’t become an issue until about a year or so into the war.
With that being said, Lincoln always had sympathy for the slaves and thought it was wrong, but he was not about to start a civil war over the matter.
97. sdggrant - July 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Yes, Andrew Jackson was HORRIBLE for native americans, but he was a fairly decent president for American Citizens. I’m half Sioux so I don’t think to highly of Jackson, but I can recogonize that he did a decent job as president by looking out for American citizens and their interests.
98. Daniel - July 11th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Teddy Roosevelt was the only President to ever not say the word “I” in his inauguration speech.
Lincoln and FDR said “I” only once.
All great leaders.
Washington needs to be on this list… take Kennedy out, take Wilson at least to 10 spot or out, and also throw in Reagan.
99. Sedulous - July 11th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Some of you guys are just complete nut jobs. The only thing missing is for someone to start screaming about how Warren G. Harding was the best ever.
100. MPW - July 11th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Thought for sure Washington would be on the list,but still an awesome list
101. theSKin - July 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
How can Reagan not be on this list!!! Under his administration he created 17 million new jobs, inflation dropped by 4.4%; while the family income rose by 12%, defeated the Soviets, no country fell to communism under his presidency, before his presidency we were on the way to a major recession, the military was refurbished and installed countless moral values in the heart of america
102. billyrules! - July 11th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Wow! I checked the comments this morning, went and did some work for a few hours, came back and checked the site again and saw that there was already some heated discussion about this list. I didn’t see any problems with it.
103. Spanner in the worksj - July 11th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
(Smugly) So glad Britain doesn’t have presidents.
Suggestion: Avoid the 10 Best/Worst British Prime Ministers/ Monarchs lists, or is the latter already under partial discussion in the previous list, Shakespeare?
104. theSKin - July 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Oh yea, minority unemployment was cut in half.
105. ohrmets - July 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Washington wasn’t the #1 best president ever, but he DEFINITELY deserves to be in the Top 10! He set numerous precedents and set our country out on a proper path at a time when it was incredibly vulnerable and could have really been screwed up by a weak or incompetent leader. For the mere fact that the US didn’t fall apart during his administration he deserves recognition! And his unassailable character is internationally recognized and admired, both then and now.
106. JayArr - July 11th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I just had to reply to the comment above about Warren G. Harding: “In an attempt to give Harding his due, Dean points out that he did at least bring to an end President Wilson’s longstanding practice of excluding blacks from federal appointments. As well, in a speech of rare passion and boldness delivered in Birmingham, Ala., he called for political, economic and educational equity between the races. His most permanent domestic accomplishment, however, was as dull as it was necessary: the creation of the Bureau of the Budget. Dean (and Arthur Schlesinger’s American Presidents series) is not to be faulted for the fact that Harding’s life is a yawn-but a yawn it is.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.”
Truth be told, none of our presidents were truly terrible - just some better than others, and a few so well-loved as to be remembered by all who take a moment to care.
107. Nejikun - July 11th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
to all the people asking for Dubya… I don’t think you can count puppets.
108. dchuskerls - July 11th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
REAGEN????????
109. Kreosote - July 11th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
In response to 96:
Again: slavery was US policy, North and South. It really all started with South Carolina insisting that it could force Free States to stop aiding escaped slaves. In addition they wanted to prevent Slave States from becoming Free States. Interesting, that a Southern state tried to impose upon state rights, huh?
The Civil War was not over the inhumanity of slavery. Nobody game a damn about that, not even Lincoln, who was a proven racist. It was fought over the economic aspects of slavery, and the North imposing on states rights in the South, and vice versa.
110. Midknight - July 11th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Kenndy_ Only really remember because he was shot.
Jackson was racist
Cleveland- By sending in federal troops to break a railroad strike he showed that he cared more for the rights of big business instead of the poor working man who had to suffer through horrible conditions.
111. Spanner in the worksj - July 11th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Wot, no Richard Nixon?
of whom Adlai Stevenson once said,
“He is the sort of politician who would cut down a redwood tree and then mount the stump to make a speech for conservation.”
and who also garnered the following,
“he told us he would take crime off the streets. He did, he took it to the damn White House.”
112. goof_ball - July 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
yay presidents! i think there should be a counter list of top 10 worst presidents
113. edwf2000 - July 11th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I could not disagree more with Lincoln and with Andrew Jackson. Jackson is responsible for the worst depression in US history next to the 1930s by eliminating the national bank, and oh yeah, he slaughtered thousands of native Americans. And Lincoln was a great politician, not a great President.
114. Quade - July 11th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Wow… I (like others) have noticed no Washington. His farewell address alone should be enough to give him a spot. (Jacksons maybe). I’m sure most of the people here know the farewell adress opposed the creation of political parties on the fact that it would divide a nation. He helped in re-creating the Checks and Balances system.
115. Quade - July 11th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
goof_ball: There already is a list like that.
116. Anon - July 11th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Seriously? Andrew Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt? Oh yes, let’s honor the notoriously racist US Presidents who favored war and genocide. Of course, the list sounds like it was written by a fourth grade history student. Maybe no one will take it seriously. I sure didn’t.
117. Cedestra - July 11th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Okay, so I give up on the list I was writing being secret. I’ve had about six people respond to me and two actually give me what I requested. No one seems interested in e-mailing to find out what my list is, so I’ll just go ahead and tell you in hopes that may persuade you to help out. (Sorry, Jamie, the cat’s out of the bag.)
I need frequent commentators to e-mail me (nerikasne@hotmail.com) with their listverse name, their favorite video (youtube or other) and their favorite listverse list. I’m hoping to compile this list by the end of the month.
118. Cedestra - July 11th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
BTW, I never knew you had a wikipedia article for you!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Frater
119. cicero - July 11th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I agree with most of you in wondering why Lincoln, Kennedy, Wilson, and Jackson are on here. But I do think that you should look at John Adams. He was only pres for 1 term, but he kept us from going to war with France when the whole country was clammering for it. He sued for peace for as long as possible and succeeded despite being extremely unpopular with his own people. That alone is worthy of recognition, not to mention he was probably one of the only presidents to not be strongly influenced by parties. In fact, he pissed his own party off just as much as the other party just by standing for what he thought was right which is frickin awesome.
120. Rachel - July 11th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Killing bunches of Indians make you a great president! Yay! Adnrew Jackson should have been burnt at the stake.
121. Chickensoup - July 11th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
“Also all of the internet loons who rant and cry over the current administration curinb many of our civil liberties and all should know that Lincoln suspended habeas corpus as did FDR. Nothing we’re seeing now is new”
Lincoln did so during a time of Civil War, FDR did so during a time of World War. Bush is doing so during a time of imperialist bullshit.
122. Vera Lynn - July 11th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I knew all the stuff about Lincoln. He also had a disease (not gigantism, but something like it where he kept growing) He would have died of it eventually. It was a death sentence
123. Vera Lynn - July 11th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Also, I forgot, wasn’t FDR responsible for Social Security? Was supposed to be temporary. Guess it’s not. Also Federal income tax. Same thing. Lord knows I hate taxes.
And what was the real story behind the Boston tea party?
124. David S - July 11th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
In response to #30, according to Wikipedia, NASA was established by the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 29, 1958, over two years before Kennedy became President; NASA even has a 50-year logo now. I don’t have any information about what role Senator Kennedy may have played, but if any President can be credited with starting NASA, it would have to be Eisenhower.
125. laxplayer106 - July 11th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
There is an error in the Andrew Jackson portion. It was South Carolina that was apart of the Nullification Crisis not North Carolina.
126. ChaoticPython - July 11th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
O.O Wow…we just can’t agree on anything, now can we?
I’m going to go against the flow here and say that I think this list was very well-written, particularly for a non-US citizen. Lincoln for number 1 was definitely correct.
127. Stefan - July 11th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I disagree with Woodrow Wilson inclusion in this list.
Woodrow Wilson was one of the most extreme proponents of idealistic school of thought in foreign policy, and in fact Idealistic foreign policy is often called Wilsonianism. His ideas led to some serious problems in the formation of the treaty of Versailles. He believed that all nations should have self-determination and that every ethnic group had the right to form their own nation (The Principle of Self-Determination). This created a lot of mishaps, most notably with Poland which had to be given a corridor to the Baltic Sea thus severing Germany into two unlandlocked areas. This humiliated Germany and was one of the reasons Hitler invaded Poland in order to reunite the two separate land pieces. Furthermore, his stubbornness to compromise with the Republican led congress led to the failure of American membership in the League of Nations, stripping it of effective power. This stubborn inability to compromise with congress and educate the United States public out of isolationism was a main factor of why the U.S. stood by as Hitler and Mussolini began gobbling land up. If the US was more involved it may have convinced the war weary French and British to intervene before Hitler gained the strength that he did. (Although this is not entirely his fault because he had a massive stroke while trying to persuade the American public to accept membership in the League of Nations that rendered him unable to do much). All in all, his foreign policy after WWI was a disaster and is one of the (many) factors that led to WWII.
Although Wilson meant well, his failure after WWI is more than enough to keep him out of the top ten. In fact, I would put George Washington in the number two spot for all the important precedents he made for the presidency (Only taking two terms being one).
128. kwizical - July 11th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Wilson absolutely sucked. His wife was President toward the end of his term, after a stroke, or some such. He approved the formation of the Federal Reserve, and we’ve gone downhill ever since. What about Ike!!! No President did more in the army than Jackson? What was D-Day? The regimental picnic? Eisenhower presided over some of the greatest prosperity this country (or any other, ever) has ever seen. And it’s tremendously unfortunate that the nation chose not to heed his warning about the Military-Industrial Complex. How many Presidents graduated West Point? I few I’d wager.
129. ChrisG - July 11th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Most of the men on this list were despicable psychopaths, but there is a theory that this is what makes a great president.
If I had a vote I’d cast it for Dwight Eisenhower, the last truly strong AND decent man to hold the office. (Carter and Ford were decent but not strong, Johnson and Reagan were strong but not were horrible pieces of human filth, Kennedy was vastly overrated, and Nixon was nuts. Clinton and the Bushes are not worth mentioning in the same breath as the rest.)
I say get replace Wilson with Eisenhower.
130. THEKID - July 11th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
GEORGE WASHINGTON! If ever a list lacked someone, it’s this one. Without George Washington, there wouldn’t have ever been a “President”. Everyone offered him the CROWN to the United States, but he refused.
No matter what political decisions he made there after, he should be recognized as one of the greatest for denying the temptation to create yet another monarchy. He refused to accept full power over a nation, and secure America’s freedom from that point onward!
131. THEKID - July 11th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
BTW…Andrew Jackson killed thousands of Natives in his quest for land. I don’t think he should get a spot…pure greed.
132. Tomo - July 11th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
What? No George Dubya Bush??? That’s completely unacceptable. In his own words, this list is outragified. How can u make a list of great presodents withtout includifying the bestest ever. I bet he is very offensated.
133. WORST LIST EVER - July 11th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
this is the worst list ever put on this site. Ever hear of this guy named George Washington? Yea…. leading the colonial army against ridiculious odds and certain death if captured. Not a big deal apparently.
Now Kennedy, truthfully the guy didn’t do that much. He made some speeches and then he got shot. He’s a likeable matyr and its the only reason he became a cultural icon. Not to mention his connections with the mafia and his infidelity. yea….great guy.
134. JVsweetness - July 11th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
WORSTLISTEVER: Thanks Lee Harvey Oswalt.
135. Mom424 - July 11th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Worstlistever: Yes maybe, but at the time he united a country bruised by the civil rights movement/fiasco, he fostered a climate (at least publicly) that allowed for the I have a Dream moment and most importantly (and a more unfortunate demise imho) he got Bobby Kennedy in a position to effect change. He belongs.
136. theSKin - July 11th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Mom424: JFK also put us in a fiasco, when the Soviet Union started to put nuclear arms in Cuba. He did bail us out; but, the reason the Soviets tried to put them in Cuba was because the leaders in Moscow thought JFK was soft. In the deal with the Soviets he gave up missile sites in Turkey, and promised to respect the sovereignty of Cuba; thus, keeping Castro in power.
Also, MLK would have flourished with or without JFK. Martin Luther King was one of the greatest persons in our history. That’s like saying Teddy created an environment that allowed the e=mc2 theory.
137. Stefan - July 12th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Kennedy was just a face, he did not do anything of significant value. The only two things that are ever cited about him are founding the Peace Corps and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Although the Peace Corps is an admirable organization most historians debate Kennedy’s handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the end I would rather have seen Lyndon Johnson instead of Kennedy. The Vietnam War was a horrible mistake, but he was the only person with enough political clout to enact the Great Society and Civil Rights legislation.
138. chris - July 12th, 2008 at 1:47 am
Does anyone realise how insignificant a threat the Soviet Union was. If a war did begin in the Bay of Pigs fiasco, the Soviets might have done some damage, but they would have been completely wiped out by the US. At the time the Soviets had 9 nucleur silos trained on the States, while America had 480 pointed back at them. Those numbers alone speak of how much of a threat the Soviets really were. And
Woodrow Wilson may have been good for the US, but that crap about the 14 point peace plan, otherwise known as the Woodrow doctrine, has indirectly caused a vast number of deaths throughout the third world. This is because the Woodrow doctrine has provided the legal basis to allow the US to destabilise governments in developing countries. Often this has occured simply to protect financial interests, by pillaging their natural resources. In Guatemala alone, since the 50’s, about a million indiginous people have been slaughtered under CIA backed dictatorships. All thanks to Woodrow Wilson providing the legal impetus. So that guy sucked ass.
139. Kevino - July 12th, 2008 at 5:56 am
If a serial killer is effective… it does’t make him great.
140. Kerrita123 - July 12th, 2008 at 6:26 am
This list and some of the commentary disappoints me.
First, Kennedy was not a great president- far from it. I whole-heartedly agree that his assasination saved his reputation and gave him a legacy. Beyond his image, what did he really do? He led us to complete disaster with the bay of pigs.
Secondly, in regards to Washington- he was an amazing president. Or rather, he was an incredibly influential leader. In case you’ve forgotten, he was the first (and still one of the few) world leader to refuse power. Despite our wishes to crown him, he shyed away from that type of control and authority. His focus was on running our nation- not becoming another monarch. This set the tone for all our future presidents. Not-to-mention his beliefs in isolationism and avoiding any foreign entangling aliances. This too influenced in the immediate and long-run. He wasn’t great because he was the first or what he did- it was rather what he didn’t do that made the most powerful statement of all.
141. Kerrita123 - July 12th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Lastly, lets be frank. Most other men on this list would not have made the same refusal that Washington did (AHEM FDR)
142. Beldalf - July 12th, 2008 at 8:12 am
I haven’t read through all of the comments, but I haven’t noticed any outrage about Jackson. Ever hear of the Trail of Tears? This along with slavery is one of the worst blemishes in American history. Interactions with the Native Americans has always been a horrible practices throughout history, but this is easily the peak of atrocities done to the Native population.
George Washington has to be in the top 10, just for the fact that he developed the basic outline of what the presidency should be. There is nothing in the constitution creating cabinet posts. Washington knew he alone couldn’t handle the job and realized he would need the expertise of others in running the young country. He held the young country together in a time where a strong leader was needed.
As for Abe Lincoln, he was a truly great leader, but like all of the “greats” he was there at the right time. Would he still be considered one of the best if the Civil War didn’t happen during his presidency. True this is all speculation, but I feel that a man that was able to lead America not only through the Great Depression, but also through World War II is a more deserving candidate for the top spot.
143. Cubone - July 12th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I agree that Ronald Reagan and George Washington should be on the list.
144. YogiBarrister - July 12th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Glad Reagan didn’t make the list, he doesn’t deserve the honor, appalled that George Washington wasn’t on the top.
145. Ro - July 12th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Okay…….( takes a deep breath),
For the George Washington boys/girls,
You guys tell me why George Washington should be included? All his trademark American values were equally shared by other presidents too, for example Thomas Jefferson who is on this list. Plus, historians now say that he wasn’t all that great a general to begin with; in comparision Andrew Jackson was better and more skillful,who is again included in this list. So there you go, that justifies my exclusion of the 1st president of The United States of America. He wasn’t by any means average, way more accomplised than that, it’s just that he just was outdone by the others.
Some of you have just come here with stereotyped images of the Great George Wshington fixed in your mind. See for yourself and study every single president, then only will you
realize the fact that there were other presidents whose achievements surpass that of Mr.Washington. If you hold the opinion that setting the foundation for a nation is the most important thing, well then I can compredhend; that is your opinion, which you are rightly entitled to.
146. Ro - July 12th, 2008 at 10:40 am
144. YogiBarrister,
I’m glad you think that way about Reagan. He was one of the most popular , but his achievements during presidency don’t quite accord with his popularity.
About Mr.Washington, I’m still mystified.You guys just don’t get it do you? Being the first of the presidents got him a high stake in history but he simply wasn’t good enough to make it to the top 10. I had to be fair and consider every president( yes that’s correct,EVERY president)according to what they did, how well they did.
147. Specter - July 12th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I left Egypt last December, and was amazed to find out they thought Carter was our best president.
148. Cedestra - July 12th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Ro, again I don’t know your nationality, but it’s drilled into children’s heads in America that George Washington is some mythological god of a president. Him and Christopher Columbus. You could walk into any kindergarten class and hear “Who was our first president, boys and girls? George Washington! He chopped down a cherry tree and told the truth when his father asked him! He stood on a rowboat crossing the Patomic and posed for a painting! He holed up in a camp for a winter, surviving on nothing but flour-cakes!”, ad nauseum. (By the way, boys and girls, only the last one is true.) So discluding Washington is, to some, is like discluding the flag on a list of “most patriotic American items”.
It’s a knee-jerk reaction to Americans. They must have their George Washington on their list of best presidents! Of course, half of them aren’t even coming up with reasons WHY he should be number 1. It’s just, like, obvious, duh! (Or is it?)
149. Cedestra - July 12th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Knew I should have fact-checked: the river was the Deleware, not the Potomac (also spelled incorrectly).
150. Ro - July 12th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Yes Andrew Jackson was a bad man when it came to Indians and I apologize for the strong emotions I have evoked.
What I will not apologize for is him making it to this list.
151. Xay - July 12th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I don’t necessarily see George Washington as a good president considering he helped found this nation on a equal basis of equality…for white ppl only.
152. Ro - July 12th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Goodness gracious!
So much controversy. I just finished reading all the comments and it feels terrible. Opinions- what to do with them?
153. Ro - July 12th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Oh, by the way I didn’t include Truman because he dropped the atom bomb. Now, don’t give me that talk about big decisions,what he did was wrong, playing God with people.
And consequentially, kennedy took his spot on #10.
154. Spanner in the worksj - July 12th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Specter,
Carter WAS your best president. You in yours and his country just didn’t appreciate him.
Respectfully
155. Cedestra - July 12th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Good point, Ro- my dislike of Andrew Jackson as a person clouds my judgement of him as a president.
156. Ro - July 12th, 2008 at 11:32 am
74. Cedestra
Thank you Cedestra, it means a lot to me. The thing is I bid good riddance to all of the influences which could make me biased and started with a fresh mind. Then I tried to know all about each of the 43 presidents( using books and documentaries mostly)I could based upon how effective they were and came down to ten.
You surely are very astute looking through the list and into my mind.
157. Barky - July 12th, 2008 at 11:34 am
America LOST the war of 1812. The British actually sacked Washington DC.
158. WORST LIST EVER - July 12th, 2008 at 11:42 am
George Washington should be first on the list for so many historical reasons that have nothing to do with him being the first president.
JFK didn’t do anything. He’s a cultural icon like marylin monroe.
Whoever made this list just copied and pasted from wikipedia. You obviously don’t know your history.
Spanner in the worksj : your fucking stupid. What the fuck makes jimmy carter the best president? being a limpdick i guess
159. Molly - July 12th, 2008 at 11:44 am
You people have to understand that the occurances in the economy during a man’s presidency do not necessarily reflect his performance. Clinton was hailed as a great President because of the economical growth and prosperity that we were experiencing. And although he did cut Welfare, that was about the only good thing he did for the economy. The rest of it was delayed action from the Reagan era. It takes a few years for government policies to take effect, and by that time, the next president is taking all the credit for the one who preceded him. Reagan was a great president, but the lack of knowledge of economics in the U.S. results in misconception, not to mention an inordinate amount of people wanting the government to intervene in peoples’ property and “spread the wealth” equally among those who don’t work for it.
160. YogiBarrister - July 12th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Professor Ro? How about the time George Washington threw a silver dollar across the Potomac? He knew how to make money go a long way.
In the case of being president, being the first is important. Washington had to get it right in order for the Republic to succeed.
161. Spanner in the worksj - July 12th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
As an outsider, I don’t rate a direct opinion, just a few flippant remarks so far (to conceal a lot of admiration). Those of my fellow Brits who’ve considered kicking out our heriditary monarchy have realised that replacing it is not that easy. All things considered, you statesiders have made a pretty good job of it, and a lot better than some others.
Despite your own internal controversies here, I’d like to thank you all for opening up my vista of this subject, which was (and still is) scrappy to say the least. My father collected postage stamps fanatically, I did too for a while as a kid. Many American presidents were just names and faces on those stamps for me. Lately that has been directly replaced by the presidents’ pickled, talking heads in ‘Futurama’. School history lessons; the times I’ve lived through; and my own specialities, among others have brought a few to life and put odd scraps of flesh on some of those. This column (I’m still reading) is adding a lot to that.
At school primary level, we learned the received basics about Washington and Lincoln, as under heavy dispute here. As history became more detailed, the name of Wilson featured, along with the politics of isolationism. It’s interesting for me to find here someone expounding at length precisely what we we taught about Wilson’s idealistic and unrealistic role during and after the First World War. When I first entered the Listverse postings and wrote that in another context (Conspiracies), I was informed that was a mistaken view. Obviously, with Britain as a former European imperial power, the Monroe doctrine also became familiar, and has cropped up as recently as the Falklands War, with debates over whether it was less to do with anti-colonial idealism than geopolitical spheres of influence.
The ‘Special Relationship’ a phrase coined by Churchill and continuing through to Blair and Bush, has been a keystone of British interest, and arose during my first personal awareness. FDR and Churchill were the two heroes who saved me from Hitler (could never put the cold, mean-looking Uncle Joe up there with them). I was surprised to learn later that their relationship was not the total buddy-buddy I’d always supposed, and that Churchill had tried so endlessly and in vain up to Pearl Harbour to persuade FDR to help smash Hitler. I feel no one can say FDR precipitated America into that war. But we can at least be mightily thankful for the life-line of lease-lend his government set up. Ike was another hero of my youth, even though we (not least Churchill) were already recognising that the U.S.A. was taking over the reins from us in virtually every important aspect of the war and beyond, and this was inevitable. Then there was Truman and The Bomb. I invite those who critise their country for its use to take a time-trip back to the context. You’d be surprised how different your perspective would be.
After the war, and with ever more sophisticated news media systems, American presidential elections and presidential world politics became ever more like a detatched bit of our own that we were unable to influence by votes. We usually had those we shouted for and wanted to win, those we disliked. But Brits were as variable in their favours as Americans. I remember following Watergate on the radio as avidly as any soap opera, almost hour by hour in its final phase.
Finally there are one or two presidents, also known in a wider context, who’ve figured through my own interest in natural history. Teddy, the founder of Yellowstone (even if originally partly for hunting). Reagan for his idiotic statements about trees polluting the planet. And a special hero of mine, Thomas Jefferson, after whom a delightful small genus of plants is named, Jeffersonia. How appropriate!
162. Spanner in the worksj - July 12th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
WORST LIST EVER
What about my fucking stupid?
Or do you you mean you’re fucking stupid? In that case take an elementary English lesson, fucking stupid, and at the same time sharpen up you ability to detect a piece of obvious irony.
Hasta la vista, baby
163. Spanner in the worksj - July 12th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
But thanks for taking the trouble to respond.
164. Mom424 - July 12th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Barky(Comment #157); And damn good thing too, otherwise I’d be an American.
165. Mom424 - July 12th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
WorstListEver; It is you’re (you are) fucking stupid. And the reason Jimmy Carter is actually respected elsewhere in the world is due to the man himself as much as his policies. He was honest, humble, intelligent, and realized that power and responsibility go hand in hand. He was concerned about the welfare of those affected by American foreign policy and not just in The United States. In other words a man of principle. He did not lie, cheat or manipulate the American public nor the rest of the world. A man in public service whose sole motivation was to actually serve the public. Not to accumulate power nor for personal aggrandizement. A decent, privately religious, (much more Christian than most who proclaim such) non-judgmental, and decent human being.
Is it any wonder that many Americans treat him with contempt?
166. Spanner in the worksj - July 12th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Mom424
Beautifully put. I didn’t do Jimmy justice because I was more interested in booting WORST LIST EVER. I might in fact have been more ironical still and said that Jimmy Carter was too good a man to be a president, or at least too honest a man. I’m sure you know that the worst thing a politician can do in public is to admit honest doubt or apologise. That’s a career killer and explains exactly the old dictum that people get the politicians they deserve.
As a human being, he’s up there with Jefferson for me.
167. Mom424 - July 12th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Spanner in the works: Thank you very much. One of my favorite politicians anywhere and of all time is Jimmy Carter. Did you know that he is one of (2nd I believe) the most intelligent presidents in the last 50 years? This should be taken with a grain of salt seeing as Bill Clinton has a documented IQ rating of 182. Goes to show you that intelligence can be overcome if you have the morals of a mongoose.
How is it that the current President of the United States, and arguably the most powerful man in the world, has an IQ level 40 points below a middle-aged, middle-class, pretty much average house-wife and mother in backwater Ontario? And damn-it-all-to hell, I’m not even the smartest person in my family. There is a definite problem here; how come so many can be fooled so easily? It is so much like a bad movie; the power brokers pick the face and put whatever words they want into his mouth. Generally the whatever the public wishes to hear in order to keep those same brokers in their positions of power. Geez, politics suck!
168. YeOldeCanonFodder - July 12th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
NO, NO, NO!! I don’t care if Andrew Jackson singly handedly saved Christmas, he was a mass murderer and a complete piece of shit. Reading the summaries of his presidential reign is nauseating. If people are going to criticize Bush for his unacceptable foreign policies regarding the ‘War on Terror’ as an obvious ploy for oil, try keeping in mind that Jackson up rooted tens of thousands of people from their homes, indirectly
killing over 4,000, partly because of pressure from southern states that discovered gold on Native American land. There is no excuse for that.
169. Plasma Twa 2 - July 12th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Jackson didn’t smash the British. You need to reword that. If anyone smashed anyone in that, the Canadians/British did it to you.
And the reason the League of Nations failed was because they never wanted to act against any powerful countries. It was all fun and good when countries no one cared about needed help, but if it was Italy? The United States’ inolvement would have helped it greatly, but it was by no means neccessary.
170. Diamond_Dragon - July 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Mom424,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.....s_IQ_hoax.
http://urbanlegends.about.com/.....q-bush.htm
If that was what you were talking about I’d like to say you should check your facts.
Insulting someone without actually checking facts makes me think you are the real person that “has an IQ level 40 points below a middle-aged, middle-class, pretty much average house-wife and mother in backwater Ontario”
If this is not what you were talking about, then I’d like to see some solid facts that George Bush has indeed the iq level you said.
171. RRS - July 12th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
The absence of George Washington confirms
the absence of intelligence of the list compiler.
172. walterstc - July 12th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Andrew Jackson and FDR do not deserve to be on this list. FDR got the US out of the depression, but he used a lot of quick fixes back then to get us out that we are now feeling the pain of today. He was also a dictator in the fact that he ruled for almost 12 years. I dont care if the president is incredible, they still dont deserve more than two consecutive terms. Andrew Jackson was a racist that kicked the cherokee indians out of Georgia and was solely responsible for the trail of tears which followed the cherokees being kicked out of Georgia and relocated to Oklahoma. This was also after the US supreme court ruled the indians could stay. Would you name Hideki Tojo a great leader for the Bataan Death March.
173. YeOldeCanonFodder - July 12th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Umm… Correct me if I’m wrong, but this list seems like blatant sarcasm to me.
“Slowly over the course of the next few months he bullied Mexico in to a war it didn’t want to fight. America won and took not only California but what is now all of Nevada and parts of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.”
“The Tariff act was passed in 1832, which would be significant to America’s economy forever. When North Carolina had other opinions about the act, Jackson made it clear that no state had the right to break national laws and threatened to use the army if necessary to save the union.”
“He began to reform the federal government and at the same improved civil service to get better workers. He forced the railroads to return 81 million acres of government which they had taken illegally.”
That doesn’t sound like flattery to me…
174. Arisma - July 12th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Ro- Great list. I applaud your decision NOT to put Washington at #1. If I were doing a list, I’d probably scribble him into the top spot and go about filling in the rest. I’m american, it’s what we’re taught and it’s ingrained to a shocking degree. To not see that is refreshing and, I think, bold of you. It could well be seen as attempting to ’stir’ controversy but the reasons you gave and your tone while giving them make me believe this is your true and honest conclusion.
I wish listversers could speak in more ‘me’ sentences. ‘I’d have put…’ instead of ‘You should have put…’. I mean really, each list is just the opinion of the author, usually, but not always, supported with facts. Comments are for dissent and rebuttal as well as agreement, but declaring something so subjective as ‘wrong’ always makes it harder for me to get to the point that person is trying to make.
175. donkeypuncher09 - July 12th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
its wrong if TR isnt first
thats my opnion
176. t_man - July 12th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Ok, seriously did you EVER take an American History class in High School? Andrew Jackson does not deserve to be on this list, in fact, he should have been on the other list of WORST presidents. Did we forget when writing this that HE FORCED NATIVE AMERICANS TO MARCH OUT OF THE KNOWN UNITED STATES IN WHAT CAME TO BE KNOWN AS THE TRAIL OF TEARS?!?!?! He was also opposed to Alexander Hamilton’s national bank proposal and in a cruel twist of irony was placed on the most used piece of currency in the world. Ever heard of the term “kitchen cabinet”? well Jackson was the reason for it. He used his own set of unofficial advisors that led to some the most destructive decisions in Americ