Best US president ever ?

[tomtucker]

Bill Clinton ....who else could it be :confusedshrug:

[Meticode]

Bill Clinton ....who else could it be :confusedshrug:
I think the consensus will probably more than likely say Lincoln. Just a hunch though.

[Thorpesaurous]

I remember when they did that greatest american ever poll on The History Channell about five years ago. Reagan won, which is an absolutely rediculous thing, and I'm a pretty big Reagan believer.

But it came down to him, Washington, FDR, Lincoln, MLK, Jefferson, and Ben Franklin.

Strictly in terms of what was done in office, I'd say it almost has to be FDR or Lincoln, with Jefferson being a pretty good dark horse. But if you're willing to accept a president's entire resume in making a greatest president argument, then Washington is incredibly compelling. You could make a case he's in the hunt for the greatest American without his ever taking office. His military record is incredible.

[JohnnySic]

But it came down to him, Washington, FDR, Lincoln, MLK, Jefferson, and Ben Franklin.
JFK?

[KevinNYC]

I remember when they did that greatest american ever poll on The History Channell about five years ago. Reagan won, which is an absolutely rediculous thing, and I'm a pretty big Reagan believer.

I think that just reflects the demographics of those who watch the history channel.

[RoseCity07]

FDR easily. He saved the United States.

[Bigsmoke]

Barack because he inspired African American across to country without doing shit.

all hail barack obama:bowdown:

[Alamo]

Millard Fillmore

[LBJMVP]

george w. bush... how is this even an arguement?

hehe jk

[raiderfan19]

There are really people who think its FDR? Really?

[RidonKs]

There are really people who think its FDR? Really?
i was under the impression he was actually a pretty popular choice... as in, yeah, there are really people who think that... lots of them in fact. lol

[Jailblazers7]

Teddy Roosevelt's cool factor catapults him to number 1.

[DukeDelonte13]

There are really people who think its FDR? Really?


Only stupid people who don't understand economics and politics would call FDR a bad president.

[alwaysunny]

Aggregate ranking from wikipedia:

1. Abraham Lincoln
2. Franklin D. Roosevelt
3. George Washington
4. Thomas Jefferson
5. Theodore Roosevelt
6. Woodrow Wilson
7. Harry S. Truman
8. Andrew Jackson/Dwight D. Eisenhower
10. James K. Polk
11. John F. Kennedy
12. John Adams
13. James Madison
14. James Monroe/Lyndon B. Johnson/Barack Obama
17. Ronald Reagan
18. John Quincy Adams
19. Grover Cleveland
20. William McKinley/Bill Clinton
22. William Howard Taft/George H. W. Bush
24. Martin Van Buren
25. Rutherford B. Hayes
26. Gerald Ford
27. Jimmy Carter
28. Chester A. Arthur
29. James A. Garfield/Herbert Hoover
31. Calvin Coolidge
32. Richard Nixon
33. Benjamin Harrison
34. George W. Bush
35. Zachary Taylor
36. John Tyler
37. Ulysses S. Grant
38. Millard Fillmore/William Henry Harrison
40. Franklin Pierce
41. Andrew Johnson
42. James Buchanan
43. Warren G. Harding

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_Presidents_of_the_United_St ates

[tomtucker]

Barack because he inspired African American across to country without doing shit.

all hail barack obama:bowdown:

inspired them to do what :confusedshrug:

[SuperPippen]

Lincoln. Only politician that I've ever idolized. That probably has something to do with his portrayal as some sort of God-like historical legend in history books, but whatever.


And, forgive me for being so historically ignorant, but what the hell did Washington do to be considered such a great President? I'm not bashing him at all; I'd genuinely like to know.


Other great Presidents are particularly famous for certain accomplishments; Lincoln united the country and ended slavery, FDR put an end to the Depression and guided America through WWII, but Washington doesn't really have that accomplishment that his legacy has been hung on. Is the appraisal of his presidency due solely to the fact that he was America's first President?

[alwaysunny]

George Washington would be a poor man's Joe Biden in today's government system

[SuperPippen]

George Washington would be a poor man's Joe Biden in today's government system

I'm curious, so enlighten me; what is the knowledge that leads you to this conclusion?

Unless you're being sarcastic, of course.

[Jasper]

Washington had slaves

Lincoln as a senator or congressman stated what one state's property is withholding in Illinois's state.

[To put it simply : if a slave ran away , landed in Illinois , Lincoln believed that slave should be returned to his rightful owner. ]

And folks : that is history

Many presidents were more of an inspiration to our country while some of the things they did or / did not do while in office were over shadowed by their public's viewpoint.

------------
If Clinton hada wife that put out : Bill would not of been looking for dick relief.
That being said : he was one of the rare presidents in history that actually balanced the national budget ....
* all presidents have silver linings and ghosts.

Nixon was a true ambassador to the eastern world..... yet he taped his collegues conversations :rolleyes:

[Bosnian Sajo]

FDR was straight boss, spent his final 12 years in office.

[alwaysunny]

I'm curious, so enlighten me; what is the knowledge that leads you to this conclusion?

Unless you're being sarcastic, of course.

Yes, I was. I would like to know as well, but I don't see how it would differ from the rest of the "pioneers" being overrated as well, whether it's politics, music, sports, etc.

[kentatm]

If Clinton hada wife that put out : Bill would not of been looking for dick relief.


:oldlol:

I seriously doubt that.

the dude was always a massive horn dog that didn't GAF about cheating.

[ConanRulesNBC]

Bill Clinton and FDR

[Milton]

Not American but I like history. I would say a good way to look at this would be that the better leaders are less famous (presidents the average person can not think of) that said I like Washington and Jefferson.

[Abd El-Krim]

And, forgive me for being so historically ignorant, but what the hell did Washington do to be considered such a great President? I'm not bashing him at all; I'd genuinely like to know.



Kept a newborn nation out of a ruinous war with France/England when virtually everyone wanted in on one side or the other, established trade relations abroad, created the cabinet, set a model for term limits, and generally swang a giant dick that let everyone know the US was legit.

[KevinNYC]

Lincoln. Only politician that I've ever idolized. That probably has something to do with his portrayal as some sort of God-like historical legend in history books, but whatever.


And, forgive me for being so historically ignorant, but what the hell did Washington do to be considered such a great President? I'm not bashing him at all; I'd genuinely like to know.


Other great Presidents are particularly famous for certain accomplishments; Lincoln united the country and ended slavery, FDR put an end to the Depression and guided America through WWII, but Washington doesn't really have that accomplishment that his legacy has been hung on. Is the appraisal of his presidency due solely to the fact that he was America's first President?

I often think that Washington being considered a great president takes into account what he did before he became president. Without him the revolution would have failed. He was the indispensable man, probably the only one who could have united the militias of various states and led them as an army to victory. He was also universally admired for his leadership and integrity. He was just someone that people looked up to, a natural leader.

I don't know too much about his presidency, but one thing he did that was incredibly important was he retired from the presidency. He could won every election for the rest of his life, but once the country was up and running he walked away from power. That was something that almost never happened in the world. Usually the King either died or their was a war and somebody else took power. The peaceful transfer of power is one the hallmarks of American democracy and Washington started that tradition.

Wikipedia has these as the major acts of his presidency
Major acts as President

Organized the first United States Cabinet and the Executive Branch
Established the United States federal judiciary
Oversaw the ratification of the United States Bill of Rights
Oversaw the establishment, location and planning of the future District of Columbia

[raiderfan19]

If you think FDR ended the depression you don't know economics

[falc39]

For me it's easily Thomas Jefferson...

-Fricken author of the Constitution (most major contributor)
-Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon
-Killed the national bank
-Spearheaded the philosophy of freedom and many other libertarian-type ideals, many that are looked up to and sought today.
-Built and designed the University of Virginia.

Not many people know this, but Jefferson was the first American anthropologist. In addition, he was a farmer, architect, lawyer, among other things. He wasn't just practicing these fields, he contributed to innovating them too. For farming, he designed the moldboard plow. He was fluent in five different languages. Incredibly learned man. Knew his history, literature, and economics. His library was considered legendary at the time for a single person. I haven't even touched on his contributions to religious freedom. In terms of American enlightenment, only Benjamin Franklin can hold a candle against him, but he was never a president... The standard this guy sets when it comes to intellectualism is unreal and I don't think we will ever see a president like him (at least in my lifetime).

[Draz]

Bush. He's been in all the GOAT cartoons.

[RidonKs]

For me it's easily Thomas Jefferson...

-Fricken author of the Constitution (most major contributor)
-Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon
-Killed the national bank
-Spearheaded the philosophy of freedom and many other libertarian-type ideals, many that are looked up to and sought today.
-Built and designed the University of Virginia.

Not many people know this, but Jefferson was the first American anthropologist. In addition, he was a farmer, architect, lawyer, among other things. He wasn't just practicing these fields, he contributed to innovating them too. For farming, he designed the moldboard plow. He was fluent in five different languages. Incredibly learned man. Knew his history, literature, and economics. His library was considered legendary at the time for a single person. I haven't even touched on his contributions to religious freedom. In terms of American enlightenment, only Benjamin Franklin can hold a candle against him, but he was never a president... The standard this guy sets when it comes to intellectualism is unreal and I don't think we will ever see a president like him (at least in my lifetime).
f*cking brilliant was what he was. his re-written bible remains among the most courageous writings i've ever heard come from any political leader. fearless.

he was also very balanced and as far from an ideologue as you could get, understood compromise very well, would always bend his most fervent beliefs for the sake of the union... as long as the bending wasn't coming at the motherland's expense.

love the stuff about his manual labour/farming ingenuity btw, i didn't know he delved into that side of the world so extensively

[LBJMVP]

i havent really learned to much about teddy roosevelt (only the normal high school stuff)

but from what i do know, the guy was a badass.
plus the teddy bear is named after him

[1987_Lakers]

Thomas Jefferson & Teddy Roosevelt are the presidents I most admire, they got shit done.

Washington tends to get overrated just because he was our first president & FDR gets too much credit for ending The Great Depression.

1. Lincoln
2. T. Roosevelt
3. Jefferson

[detroitkid816]

For me it's easily Thomas Jefferson...

-Fricken author of the Constitution (most major contributor)
-Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon
-Killed the national bank
-Spearheaded the philosophy of freedom and many other libertarian-type ideals, many that are looked up to and sought today.
-Built and designed the University of Virginia.

Not many people know this, but Jefferson was the first American anthropologist. In addition, he was a farmer, architect, lawyer, among other things. He wasn't just practicing these fields, he contributed to innovating them too. For farming, he designed the moldboard plow. He was fluent in five different languages. Incredibly learned man. Knew his history, literature, and economics. His library was considered legendary at the time for a single person. I haven't even touched on his contributions to religious freedom. In terms of American enlightenment, only Benjamin Franklin can hold a candle against him, but he was never a president... The standard this guy sets when it comes to intellectualism is unreal and I don't think we will ever see a president like him (at least in my lifetime).
huh

[Lebron23]

George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Thomas Jefferson
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Bill Clinton

[raiderfan19]

Uh james Madison would more appropriately be called the author of the constitution

[falc39]

huh

hey good catch, its the declaration of independence that he wrote, not the constitution.

[Heilige]

For me it's easily Thomas Jefferson...

-Fricken author of the Constitution (most major contributor)
-Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon
-Killed the national bank
-Spearheaded the philosophy of freedom and many other libertarian-type ideals, many that are looked up to and sought today.
-Built and designed the University of Virginia.

Not many people know this, but Jefferson was the first American anthropologist. In addition, he was a farmer, architect, lawyer, among other things. He wasn't just practicing these fields, he contributed to innovating them too. For farming, he designed the moldboard plow. He was fluent in five different languages. Incredibly learned man. Knew his history, literature, and economics. His library was considered legendary at the time for a single person. I haven't even touched on his contributions to religious freedom. In terms of American enlightenment, only Benjamin Franklin can hold a candle against him, but he was never a president... The standard this guy sets when it comes to intellectualism is unreal and I don't think we will ever see a president like him (at least in my lifetime).


Thomas Jefferson had slaves, so don't you think he was sort of a hypocrite?

[Osiris]

George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Thomas Jefferson
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Bill Clinton

Isn't it amazing that the U.S. is so huge that even little girls in the Philippines know our former Presidents?

[Styles p]

clinton and lincoln **** reagan he's the reason for the never ending war on drugs.

[QUIZZLE]

Monica Blewinksy Votes Bill Clitton

[CelticBaller]

mah ***** Lincoln was a vampire hunter

[G-Funk]

theodore roosevelt

[MasterDurant24]

Thomas Jefferson was probably the most racist president lol.

[longhornfan1234]

It's between Reagan, Lincoln, and Eisenhower. There's no debate.

[longhornfan1234]

Bill Clinton and FDR


:biggums:

Clinton is so overrated. Clinton shouldn't be mentioned in the same breathe as FDR.

[Jailblazers7]

Thomas Jefferson was probably the most racist president lol.

So youre saying hew was the best?

[Kews1]

Clinton has always been my personal favorite

[MMM]

Thomas Jefferson had slaves, so don't you think he was sort of a hypocrite?

The cute idea of freedom is always evolving. In 200 years from now(if we even make it that far) I wonder what they would be saying about our notion of freedom??

[MMM]

my personal favorite is Nixon, more so because I find his persona interesting. How can someone who had all his self doubts and paranoia reach the highest office in the land???

[miller-time]

my personal favorite is Nixon, more so because I find his persona interesting. How can someone who had all his self doubts and paranoia reach the highest office in the land???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gVESsj9okI

[MMM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gVESsj9okI

Can you describe the video I can't access it from work

[miller-time]

Can you describe the video I can't access it from work

Just a Futurama Nixon video, they are talking about why they would/wouldn't vote for him.

I love Futurama's Nixon.

[MMM]

Just a Futurama Nixon video, they are talking about why they would/wouldn't vote for him.

I love Futurama's Nixon.


The only one who's changed is me. I've become more bitter and, let's face it, crazy over the years. And when I'm swept into office, I'll sell our children's organs to zoos for meat, and I'll go into people's houses at night and wreck up the place!

my fav Nixon quote, I also love Evil Lincoln

[KingBeasley08]

Abe.

[Bandito]

Who killed vampires when they were still president? That's my favorite president.

[Timmy D for MVP]

Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR on my short list.

I have Washington out front. Many posts in this thread talk about him being overrated but I believe he is in fact underrated.

There are Presidents who have accomplished more during their Presidency, but Washington's impact on the office itself cannot be overstated. I really believe that ANY other man from Jefferson, to Madison, etc. and the U.S. would not have been as successful in those early years, and may have in fact collapsed a bit. (I don't think completely because along with Washington you had a large collection of extremely capable politicians, which is something the British didn't take into account... and I'm getting off track).

Washington is still the standard bearer for the office. Here, I advise you to read his farewell address (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp).

All of the founding fathers, indeed even the Revolution itself, if muddled with myth these days, but Washington is the one man that, the farther I go into history, he still seems to live up to it.

[embersyc]

Thomas Jefferson had slaves, so don't you think he was sort of a hypocrite?

Regarding Jefferson's slaves:

He was given them when he was 14, and was not legally allowed to free them. He actually tried hard to do so, and was a vocal opponent of slavery. He just lived in the wrong times politically to get anything done about it.

I'm sure he could of fought of harder against slavery, especially as president, although doing so would of political suicide during his time.

[rufuspaul]

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f80/rufuspaul/teddy_zpsd77af6db.jpg

[daily]

Thomas Jefferson had slaves, so don't you think he was sort of a hypocrite?

http://www.monticello.org/site/plantation-and-slavery/thomas-jefferson-and-slavery

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

Thomas Jefferson was probably the most racist president lol.


Lol I know you're retarded on 3 levels now.

1) AJ's Trail of Tears is clearly more racist in nature than anything TJ did.
2) Like who gives a fukk about minor social issues when the dude had a great track record overall. No wonder this generation is retarded. Taught to argue gay rights and abortion over and over and over again in highschool with a foreign and domestic affairs wayyy in the background.. Taught to discredit any credibility from the "less socially progressive" when they could very well have much to offer in other areas.L That's like belittling MLK's legacy cuz he was a womanizer, or MJ's because he'z an azzhole. We're looking for competent, charismatic leaders here, not beacons of morality.
3) Kevin Durant is not worthy of holding the Master title.


Anywho
#1) TJ. Monticello, Louisana Purchase, D.o.I, and many more!!!
#2) TDR. Conservation and Rough Ryder ftw!!!
#3) Jackson. Anti-National Bank ftw!!!!

FDR, Washington, and Lincoln below that.. only getting 2nd tier because of their major sins. FDR Messin wit da SC and the checks and balances, GW should've married a hawter brawd, and Abe freed the slaves in the South befo da north and came with his share of scandals. He commanded SHerman to go all-out adnd burned way too much Agriculture as well.. not wise. Johnson (fuikker) demonstrated one of the worst ways to recuperate from all this destruction.

Underrated.
LBJ, Truman, Taft, Polk, JQA.

[Pacers4ever]

Thomas Jefferson was probably the most racist president lol.
Ths. Dude was a ****ing dbag at the bars, couldn't stand listening to him when he was drunk (like he was ever silver either).

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

If anyone says one derogatory words of either Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Al Jefferson, or Jefferson Airplane.

I will tell JEFF that you posted porn in the Pacers forum and quickly deleted it.

Alien and Sedition Acts revamped, now.

[brandonislegend]

Bill Clinton MVP.

[boozehound]

For me it's easily Thomas Jefferson...

-Fricken author of the Constitution (most major contributor)
-Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon
-Killed the national bank
-Spearheaded the philosophy of freedom and many other libertarian-type ideals, many that are looked up to and sought today.
-Built and designed the University of Virginia.

Not many people know this, but Jefferson was the first American anthropologist. In addition, he was a farmer, architect, lawyer, among other things. He wasn't just practicing these fields, he contributed to innovating them too. For farming, he designed the moldboard plow. He was fluent in five different languages. Incredibly learned man. Knew his history, literature, and economics. His library was considered legendary at the time for a single person. I haven't even touched on his contributions to religious freedom. In terms of American enlightenment, only Benjamin Franklin can hold a candle against him, but he was never a president... The standard this guy sets when it comes to intellectualism is unreal and I don't think we will ever see a president like him (at least in my lifetime).
while I agree that its clearly jefferson, he was not the first american anthropologist. an argument can be made that he was one of the first american archaeologists, but the first american "anthropologist" has him beat by a couple hundred years (Cabeza de Vaca).

[longhornfan1234]

I love me some JFK, no homo.

- 1964 Civil Rights act

- lowered taxes for the rich...which boomed the economy.

- outmaneuvered Russia.

LBJ used JFK's memory to pass the CR act, but it was JFK's idea.

[Magic bird]

Al Gore...Oh Wait