Best/Worst Presidents

[Direckshun]

I've been watching the History Channel a lot this week on their special highlighting all 47 Presidents we've had. It calls itself the "ultimate guide" to the Presidents, but it's mostly a great primer on all the Presidents.

Anyway, it's been a while since we've done this.

But who are the best 5 Presidents in American history in your opinion, and who were 5 of the worst? Do your best to explain.

Also, where would you place our most recent Presidents (because why not): Obama, Bush II, Clinton, Bush I, Reagan, Carter

[Deberg_1990]

I think we have a tendency to romanticize presidents from hundreds of years ago. Nobody living today was around to remember them, they didn't live in an age of media like we do now, etc..... Heck, the first 8 or 9 POTUS's were slave owners.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by King_Chief_Fan

well, I do know the worst is still in office

and yet he just got reelected. I guess that tells us all we need to know of your historical perspective.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I think we have a tendency to romanticize presidents from hundreds of years ago. Nobody living today was around to remember them, they didn't live in an age of media like we do now, etc..... Heck, the first 8 or 9 POTUS's were slave owners.

Yup.

I also think some Presidents are worshipped for things they did when they weren't necessarily President.

For instance, Jefferson was, to me, a so-so President. But he was an extraordinary founding father.

[frazod]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

and yet he just got reelected. I guess that tells us all we need to know of your historical perspective.

Bush was a two-term president, too. I personally wouldn't let either one of them wash my car.

[La literatura]

Originally Posted by frazod

Like the temper tantrum you're throwing? Damn, who knew it would be this easy to move into your pointy little head. Neg reps and everything!

I gave you a negative rep, yes. Presumably that's okay with you, because you gave me three.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by frazod

The one thing I will say is that had the war not ended like it did, we'd all be speaking German right now. Nothing but a unified America could have survived the 20th century.

Probably not. England would have retaken an weakened America. Took all of our resources back to england. Taken control of the cotton crop. And become the all powerful big dog on the block, again.

[frazod]

Originally Posted by La literatura

I gave you a negative rep, yes. Presumably that's okay with you, because you gave me three.

So far.

[La literatura]

Originally Posted by frazod

So far.

oh noes

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Racist. Oh, sorry. I thought you said Manuel labor.

This was a gold nugget. **** you guys.

[frazod]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Probably not. England would have retaken an weaken America. Took all of our resources back to england. Taken control of the cotton crop. And become the all powerful big dog on the block, again.

I doubt it. Too much territory, too many people, too much ocean to cross. We were weakened by Jeffersonian idiocy to the point where we had no army or navy to speak of during the start of the War of 1812 and still managed to fight them off.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by frazod

The one thing I will say is that had the war not ended like it did, we'd all be speaking German right now. Nothing but a unified America could have survived the 20th century.

Exactly.

Great debate, though. I'm liking the comment more and more that he did some great things and some terrible things. But the outcome was just what this country needed, even if it came at an extraordinary cost, and there's a very strong possibility that ANY other route would have taken us further away from unification or expansion. Maybe big time.

So yeah, let's not deify. If we're talking about biggest presidential impacts in a positive way, Lincoln absolutely belongs in the top 5. But understand the argument that some believe misguided intentions may take him off that list.

[La literatura]

Originally Posted by frazod

The one thing I will say is that had the war not ended like it did, we'd all be speaking German right now. Nothing but a unified America could have survived the 20th century.

You've actually said quite a bit more than that. Like he's terrible for starting the Civil War.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Yup.

I also think some Presidents are worshipped for things they did when they weren't necessarily President.

For instance, Jefferson was, to me, a so-so President. But he was an extraordinary founding father.

Hello...Hello...anyone home

1. Louisana Purchase
2. Louis and Clark expedition
3. Kept us of of the European War
4. Fought back against those who wanted more religion in government

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by La literatura

You've actually said quite a bit more than that. Like he's terrible for starting the Civil War.

He's saying that there were mass casualties for a war that may have been to serve Lincoln's self interests versus the interests of the union. It's an interesting point. I would still argue that regardless, the approach we took was far better than any alternative, even if the reasoning was ill-intentioned.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Exactly.

Great debate, though. I'm liking the comment more and more that he did some great things and some terrible things. But the outcome was just what this country needed.

Thats where I was with including Franklin Roosevelt. Interning Japanese=Americans, nationalizing the banks, keeping his handicap from Americans, maintaining a sham marriage and using his mistress as an advisor on policy. But the good outweighed the bad. The outcome was that we won the war and set us up as a world power and an economy that ran at top speed for 50 years.