Obama named 15th best president by 238 Presidential Scholars

http://politics.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/07/02/survey-ranks-obama-15th-best-president-bush-among-worst.html

"Obama secured a top ten place in two skill set categories,communicationability (7th) and ability to compromise (10th), and in two personality trait categories, imagination (6th) and intelligence (8th). Background, described as family, education, and experience, proved his lowest score at 32nd."

Later in the article, they also take you to one of the most trolled polls I've seen

Here's the full list*:

1. Franklin D. Roosevelt

2. Theodore Roosevelt

3. Abraham Lincoln

4. George Washington

5. Thomas Jefferson

6. James Madison

7. James Monroe

8. Woodrow Wilson

9. Harry Truman

10. Dwight D. Eisenhower

11. John F. Kennedy

12. James K. Polk

13. William Clinton

14. Andrew Jackson

15. Barack Obama

16. Lyndon B. Johnson

17. John Adams

18. Ronald Reagan

19. John Quincy Adams

20. Grover Cleveland

21. William McKinley

22. George H. W. Bush

23. Martin Van Buren

24. William Howard Taft

25. Chester Arthur

26. Ulysses S. Grant

27. James Garfield

28. Gerald Ford

29. Calvin Coolidge

30. Richard Nixon

31. Rutherford B. Hayes

32. James Carter

33. Zachary Taylor

34. Benjamin Harrison

35. William Henry Harrison

36. Herbert Hoover

37. John Tyler

38. Millard Fillmore

39. George W. Bush

40. Franklin Pierce

41. Warren G. Harding

42. James Buchanan

43. Andrew Johnson

---

They were definitely too harsh on Bush. No way that he's worse than the three above him.

What the hell is Nixon doing above Bush?

What the hell is Nixon doing above Bush?

MasterBolt360

Edit - also don't forget him opening up relations with China.

Obama....15th......wow *facepalm* he hasnt really did anything -_-'.Foxi911

John Tyler at 37? I thought he would at least be in the high 20's.Engrish_Major

What the hell is Nixon doing above Bush?

MasterBolt360

I don't see how Obama is that high yet. He's not even halfway through his term yet.jalexbrown

Exactly. He should finish at least ONE term. He could go higher or lower.

But maybe getting the Nobel Peace Prize accellerated that.

[QUOTE="Foxi911"] Are you serious? Or do you just not watch news/read newspapers/read news on internet?Engrish_Major

Watching FOX News doesn't count, so probably not.

[QUOTE="jalexbrown"]I don't see how Obama is that high yet. He's not even halfway through his term yet.flazzle

Exactly. He should finish at least ONE term. He could go higher or lower.

But maybe getting the Nobel Peace Prize accellerated that.

This is absurd. You can't rank a president not even halfway through his term against presidents whose term has completed.

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="Foxi911"]Obama....15th......wow *facepalm* he hasnt really did anything -_-'.GodofBigMacs

I wonder what the republicans will be busier doing: bashing Obama or defending Bush.jalexbrown

I imagine the fact that Obama is placed above Ronald Reagan would probably be a cause for concern, too. :P

This is absurd. You can't rank a president not even halfway through his term against presidents whose term has completed.

GabuEx

The article says they always conduct the poll a year after a new president takes office.

I wonder what the republicans will be busier doing: bashing Obama or defending Bush.jalexbrown

I actually enjoy FOX News, and name one thing!!? The health care bill doesnt count, just put us in more debt...anything else...no :).Foxi911

Name one thing? How about one hundred and nineteen things?

[QUOTE="jalexbrown"]I wonder what the republicans will be busier doing: bashing Obama or defending Bush.GabuEx

I imagine the fact that Obama is placed above Ronald Reagan would probably be a cause for concern, too. :P

[QUOTE="jalexbrown"]I wonder what the republicans will be busier doing: bashing Obama or defending Bush.GabuEx

I imagine the fact that Obama is placed above Ronald Reagan would probably be a cause for concern, too. :P

Edit: Okay, '81-'89 - probably most. I wonder how many of them were born before that period of time though.

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

This is absurd. You can't rank a president not even halfway through his term against presidents whose term has completed.

topgunmv

The article says they always conduct the poll a year after a new president takes office.

Oh, huh, well in that case this is even more goofy. :P

Democrats and Republicans will never agree on who is a better President. The debate is almost pointless.

I have to agree, though, that you can't judge a president until his term is done.

I actually enjoy FOX News, and name one thing!!? The health care bill doesnt count, just put us in more debt...anything else...no :).Foxi911

1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyists' access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21 The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Re-engaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Re-engaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disaster.

Source(but it can be found many places upon a quick search)

FDR at number one? How the hell can you put a President that signed off on internment camps for American citizens at the top of the list?Theokhoth

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]FDR at number one? How the hell can you put a President that signed off on internment camps for American citizens at the top of the list?scorch-62

FDR at number one? How the hell can you put a President that signed off on internment camps for American citizens at the top of the list?Theokhoth

Lincoln ignored habeus corpus multiple times, but as with FDR, their accomplishments dauntingly overshadow their few flaws.

Washington should definitely be first IMO. Without him, there would be so many precedents considered ordinary that may have never been established.

[QUOTE="Foxi911"]I actually enjoy FOX News, and name one thing!!? The health care bill doesnt count, just put us in more debt...anything else...no :).Engrish_Major

1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyists' access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21 The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Re-engaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Re-engaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disaster.

Oh my... looks like he won't back in this thread for awhile.

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]FDR at number one? How the hell can you put a President that signed off on internment camps for American citizens at the top of the list?GodofBigMacs

Lincoln ignored habeus corpus multiple times, but as with FDR, their accomplishments dauntingly overshadow their few flaws.

Washington should definitely be first IMO. Without him, there would be so many precedents considered ordinary that may have never been established.

While I agree that Washington's voluntary relinquishment of power was important, what besides that did he do as a president that makes him worthy of #1? You can't get #1 just because you did one great thing.

Oh my... looks like he won't back in this thread for awhile.

GodofBigMacs

I've never understood the whole "Obama hasn't done anything!" line. It's the most provably false statement one can possibly level towards Obama, yet it's an incredibly popular one to make...

If they put FDR above Lincoln and Obama above Reagan, they're just a bunch of liberal hacks.

[QUOTE="scorch-62"][QUOTE="Theokhoth"]FDR at number one? How the hell can you put a President that signed off on internment camps for American citizens at the top of the list?Theokhoth

If they put FDR above Lincoln and Obama above Reagan, they're just a bunch of liberal hacks.

aransom

[QUOTE="Foxi911"]I actually enjoy FOX News, and name one thing!!? The health care bill doesnt count, just put us in more debt...anything else...no :).Engrish_Major

1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyists' access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21 The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Re-engaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Re-engaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disaster.

Later in the article, they also take you to one of the most trolled polls I've seen

GodofBigMacs

:lol: Those results made me laugh.

FDR at number one? How the hell can you put a President that signed off on internment camps for American citizens at the top of the list?Theokhoth

[QUOTE="GodofBigMacs"]

Oh my... looks like he won't back in this thread for awhile.

GabuEx

I've never understood the whole "Obama hasn't done anything!" line. It's the most provably false statement one can possibly level towards Obama, yet it's an incredibly popular one to make...

I think by "Obama hasn't done anything", they actually mean "Obama hasn't done anything that I whole heartedly supported, therefore, I neglect to acknowledge anything that he does, no matter the magnitude, and I will only recognize the accusations made by my fellow right wingers that I am comfortable with."

Lol, Wow. That's so Bogus.

Why is William Henry Harrison that low :?JIT93

[QUOTE="aransom"]

If they put FDR above Lincoln and Obama above Reagan, they're just a bunch of liberal hacks.

Engrish_Major

Lol, Wow. That's so Bogus.

Snipes_2

Communication ability? Having a nice voice don't mean much when you don't even write your own speeches. Just me two cents.Stevo_the_gamer

When was the last time a President wrote all of his speeches by himself? I don't know the answer, it's an honest question.

Only if you use the definition of the word liberal from the time of Lincoln. I don't see how you could use the current definition of liberal to describe Lincoln.

aransom

opening up relations with China.

Engrish_Major

as well as foreign relations in general. GodofBigMacs

Obama....15th......wow *facepalm* he hasnt really done anything -_-'.Foxi911

[QUOTE="Snipes_2"]

Lol, Wow. That's so Bogus.

Foxi911