Here we are again, Presidents Day, and time for reflection on Presidential leadership, and there will be much disagreement, but it seems clear certain Presidents will move up in image, while others will move down in the ratings. Except for Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, all of the below are 20th century Presidents, undergoing the greatest change in ratings. In each category, listing is chronological.
Who remains high in ratings?
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Theodore Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry S Truman
Lyndon B. Johnson
Bill Clinton
Who is moving up in ratings, if one is honest?
William Howard Taft
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Jimmy Carter
Gerald Ford
George H. W. Bush
Who is moving down in ratings?
Woodrow Wilson
John F. Kennedy
Richard Nixon
Ronald Reagan
George W. Bush
Whose rating does not really matter, as insignificant, historically?
Warren G. Harding
Calvin Coolidge
Herbert Hoover
And finally, what about Barack Obama? What rating would this controversial occupant of the White House gain, in the mind of this blogger and author?
B to B PLUS—very solid in social policy, solid in foreign policy, more difficulty in economic policy! Of course, on economic policy, the Congressional Republicans have caused a lot of the problem!
Where should he be put in the ratings? With three years to go, Obama is certainly in the top 15 of 43 Presidents, and this author would put him closer to 12-13 in the ratings, but subject to change. And one must realize to ignore the Right Wing whackos, as their judgment will have no long range effect, any more than they had with FDR or Lincoln, both bitterly criticized in their tenure in office!
I welcome comment and debate on this listing!