Who is Your Favorite American President?

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Originally Posted by VictorCharlie

My issue with FDR is not that he lacked leadership, which in fact I think he had in spades. FDR used a time of national disaster to trample the Constitution and bully the Supreme Court. Many of his policies have led to the massive expansion of Federal government, the dismissive attitude concerning the 10th amendmendt and movement away from the principle of federalism. The depression was caused by a number of factors but the employment of millions of Americans in support of the war effort combined with the US having the only major industrial sector to survive WWII was what finally pulled us back into prosperity. Ultimately it wasn't what FDR did as President at that time but the long lasting effects.

Jefferson epitomizes the beliefs and values the nation was formed under. His presidency has few highlights domestically but if you believe in federalism then that is preferred.

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You're very right. That's the thing about FDR's reign as president is that it can be seen on so many different points of view, and still be right. It's all subjective to your values, I think.

Although, I do think Roosevelt was a good leader. He made Americans believe in him. That takes some effort.

Thomas Jefferson is a brilliant man, though. The guy was a genius.

Stupid people exist everywhere. Hahaha! I have no need for words.

For the Americans: What qualities would you say an ideal President embodies? Is it wholly dependent upon the period in which they lived or are there some constants?

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Originally Posted by VictorCharlie

My issue with FDR is not that he lacked leadership, which in fact I think he had in spades. FDR used a time of national disaster to trample the Constitution and bully the Supreme Court. Many of his policies have led to the massive expansion of Federal government, the dismissive attitude concerning the 10th amendmendt and movement away from the principle of federalism. The depression was caused by a number of factors but the employment of millions of Americans in support of the war effort combined with the US having the only major industrial sector to survive WWII was what finally pulled us back into prosperity. Ultimately it wasn't what FDR did as President at that time but the long lasting effects.

Jefferson epitomizes the beliefs and values the nation was formed under. His presidency has few highlights domestically but if you believe in federalism then that is preferred.

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Jefferson was also responsible for the The Louisiana Purchase:

Louisiana Purchase - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Originally Posted by CFH

For the Americans: What qualities would you say an ideal President embodies? Is it wholly dependent upon the period in which they lived or are there some constants?

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Well I think right now the biggest issue is we haven't had a President that unified the entire country since Reagan...Clinton came close, but with the 24/7 "news" cycle it is becoming very difficult to lead with a broad net so to speak.


I like Presidents who believe in the greatness of America, the power this nation has, the drive its people have....I do not want my President going to Europe and Egypt and apologizing for our greatness. Has America made mistakes? Yes, but show me a nation that hasn't! We have a target on our backs because we aim to be "the good guys"....Russia and China do not care how they are viewed.

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Originally Posted by Gandalf

Stupid people exist everywhere. Hahaha! I have no need for words.

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Feel free to expand that opinion of yours, my friend. :cool:

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Originally Posted by CFH

For the Americans: What qualities would you say an ideal President embodies? Is it wholly dependent upon the period in which they lived or are there some constants?

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I think the constants rely on how they performed as president. Whether or not they stood for what was right or what actions they did. Andrew Jackson isn't considered the greatest president, but one of the reason I like him the most is because of the mans personalities and actions.

A lot of people favorite presidents come from America's biggest struggles. Like Lincoln, Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, etc. I think they rely too much on that.

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Originally Posted by El Kabong

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Originally Posted by CFH

For the Americans: What qualities would you say an ideal President embodies? Is it wholly dependent upon the period in which they lived or are there some constants?

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Well I think right now the biggest issue is we haven't had a President that unified the entire country since Reagan...Clinton came close, but with the 24/7 "news" cycle it is becoming very difficult to lead with a broad net so to speak.


I like Presidents who believe in the greatness of America, the power this nation has, the drive its people have....I do not want my President going to Europe and Egypt and apologizing for our greatness. Has America made mistakes? Yes, but show me a nation that hasn't! We have a target on our backs because we aim to be "the good guys"....Russia and China do not care how they are viewed.

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What makes you say Reagan was a unifier?

Generally speaking of course, I always think of him as someone who was loved by center or right-leaning middle class and rich whites, especially white men, and disliked by most other people.

He still seems to be a fairly divisive person to this day, but maybe that's just my perspective.

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Originally Posted by CFH

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Originally Posted by El Kabong

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Originally Posted by CFH

For the Americans: What qualities would you say an ideal President embodies? Is it wholly dependent upon the period in which they lived or are there some constants?

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Well I think right now the biggest issue is we haven't had a President that unified the entire country since Reagan...Clinton came close, but with the 24/7 "news" cycle it is becoming very difficult to lead with a broad net so to speak.


I like Presidents who believe in the greatness of America, the power this nation has, the drive its people have....I do not want my President going to Europe and Egypt and apologizing for our greatness. Has America made mistakes? Yes, but show me a nation that hasn't! We have a target on our backs because we aim to be "the good guys"....Russia and China do not care how they are viewed.

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What makes you say Reagan was a unifier?

Generally speaking of course, I always think of him as someone who was loved by center or right-leaning middle class and rich whites, especially white men, and disliked by most other people.

He still seems to be a fairly divisive person to this day, but maybe that's just my perspective.

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I believe Reagan was seen as a "strong" president coming right after Jimmy Carter who was one of the most inept, weakest presidents ever. Reagan may have 'unified' republicans/conservatives, but he was loathed by blacks and "white" liberals. The jury is still out about how effective he really was as president. I believe he served a purpose at the time when Carter was turning the country into a fucking disaster, but he also did many negative things during his 8 years in the white house.

FDR is #1 in my book.

Bill Clinton is an under rated president, brilliant mind.

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Originally Posted by Master

Bill Clinton is an under rated president, brilliant mind.

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I liked Bill Clinton, but I can't stand that overly ambitious, pig wife of his, Hillary. I tend to be a conservative politically, but i've got to admit, Clinton did a great job as President. During his tenure, the U.S. actually had a balanced budget, the economy was booming, and there were no Wars during his 8 years. I have to wonder sometimes what the U.S. would be like now if Gore followed Clinton as President, instead of Bush Jr..

Here in the States, when choosing a President, often times we're faced with picking the lessor of 2 evils, seldom is there a clearcut choice, and as always hindsight is 20/20. :-X

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Originally Posted by CFH

What makes you say Reagan was a unifier?

Generally speaking of course, I always think of him as someone who was loved by center or right-leaning middle class and rich whites, especially white men, and disliked by most other people.

He still seems to be a fairly divisive person to this day, but maybe that's just my perspective.

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Let's see 2 LANDSLIDE victories in Presidential Elections, was a good enough President that his Vice President (George H.W. Bush) was not hurt in his run for President which he also won by a large margin, and his approval ratings were some of the highest ever. Added to which he achieved tangible goals such as ending the Cold War. Sure he wasn't "The Perfect" President, but nobody has been, Washington made mistakes, FDR made mistakes, and so did Reagan, but the key to being a good leader is being resiliant and being strong in the face of adversity.....Reagan did those as good as anyone else has. Reagan made a lot of people PROUD to be Americans.....I can't say Obama has done that.

Has anybody seen Lewis Blacks rant about how we should put Reagan back in office?

It's hilarious. :lickish: