<p>okay, this was an assignment for my ap gov class and i think it's kinda interesting...</p>
<p>America's best & worst presidents since 1900, and why? (only what he did in his term is fair game; no after-life stuff like Carter's habitat for humanity)...</p>
<p>sound off!</p>
<p>Best--Truman
Worst--Warren G. Harding (I wasn't sure about this one, but turns out this is a good selection--apparently he's usually ranked as one of the worst presidents)
Reasons for selection: Harding ran on a promise to "Return to Normalcy", a term he coined to reflect three trends of his time: a renewed isolationism in reaction to World War I, a resurgence of nativism, and a turning away from the government activism of the reform era. No foe of nepotism, much of his cabinet was corrupt--remember the Ohio Gang, Teapot Dome Scandal, Albert B. Fall oil fields scandal, Veterans bureau scandal.</p>
<p>ooh, i like truman...but it's hard for me to say Harding's bad just b/c he did so little...although i suppose that's the point right there...</p>
<p>let's hear about Reagan and Carter, though!</p>
<p>Best: Teddy Roosevelt (hes a stud, need I say more)
Worst: Calvin Coolidge (did not want to send releif to the Mississippi Valley states after a horrible flood, and we thought Bush botched Katrina)</p>
<p>Best: both Roosevelts, although FDR had some shortcomings.
Worst: Herbert Hoover. HOOVERVILLES? Really?
Reagan also had some problems (Iran-Contras, destroying America's social safety nets), but I think that history is going to write him alright.</p>
<p>Hmm...I'm surprised George W. Bush isn't being named as the worst prez. I guess all the crazy bandwagon liberals haven't looked at this thread yet. </p>
<p>Seriously though:
Best: Jefferson
Worst: Taft</p>
<p>
[quote]
Best: Jefferson
[/quote]
I agree, but Jefferson was before 1900 =P</p>
<p>To be honest, there weren't that many outstanding presidents after 1900. FDR I would say is up there for pulling America through the Great Depression and WWII, and Truman was a fine guy.
We can't claim that Dubya is the worst president yet because his administration is not even over. He can do something purely amazing in the next two years, however improbable, to redeem himself in the eyes of all Americans. Besides, you really can't judge a President until the effects of his administration have had time to set in. That's why we can't say whether Clinton was truly a good or bad President yet.</p>
<p>Nixon??????????????</p>
<p>Whoops...I forgot to read the line "since 1900". </p>
<p>So I'll change Jefferson to Truman. :)</p>
<p>Ronald Reagan . . . far and away the best.</p>
<p>Worst? Tie between Carter & Clinton. Carter for his weenie reactions to inflation, high interest rates (anyone remember 18% mortgage rates), gas lines, the Iranian hostage crisis, and his malaise speech. Clinton for being a dirty pervert, lying under oath, and obstructing justice.</p>
<p>Why is Truman so good?</p>
<p>Best: Jefferson or Clinton</p>
<p>Worst: Reagan ::shudders::</p>
<p>pshh no explanation needed for those.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Clinton for being a dirty pervert, lying under oath, and obstructing justice.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>haha. I consider bush to be a dirty pervert (though pervert isn't the right word) for driving under the influence of alcohol, putting inocent lives in danger. He's lied about several things (tho not under oath...but should that really matter?) and he's obstructed justice by means of claiming presidential power over certain subjects so they can't be divulged fully. </p>
<p>But, I agree that we can't consider clinton or bush yet, because we have yet to see their full affects on our society.</p>
<p>Anyway...Best? FDR and Teddy, teddy helped the environment and FDR got us through (for the most part) the depression and WWII</p>
<p>Worst? That's a toughy. Maybe Hoover or reagan.</p>
<p>Best: Nixon...I know, I know
Worst: Carter or Dubya, leaning towards Dubya</p>
<p>Best: Reagen And Clinton.<br>
Worst: W!</p>
<p>Harding didn't do nothing. The problem was, he actively promoted nepotism, nativism, and CROOKS. I have to agree that W is probably worst overall, though.
As for best, it's debateable. I'd never pick Clinton OR Reagan simply because neither did anything to significantly further human rights. Clinton ADMITTED that this was the worst pitfall of his presidency (letting genocide in Rwanda continue) and Reagan was too concerned with US economy and military hegemony issues to care about that...Truman was crucial in the civil rights era and he made the enormously great and courageous decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Has any other President used US military might so greatly to defend millions of lives? And don't forget the Truman Doctrine--fought communism in a constructive way. Truman wasn't weak, yet he wasn't reckless and arrogant...ahem Democrats AND Republicans...</p>
<p>I knew it wouldn't take long before someone said W! :-P </p>
<p>People on CC are so predictable.</p>
<p>huh? people anywhere would say W...it's not like he's a popular president..it's not just because CC is weird...CC is pretty balanced if you ask me, we got a lot of carter/clinton worsts and reagan bests</p>
<p>Really? I had CC painted as pretty liberal.</p>
<p>Well, intellectuals tend to skew liberal, as do intelligent people ;)</p>