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Greatest U.S. President? Public Names Reagan, Clinton, Lincoln
GALLUP NEWS SERVICE ^ | 2/18/05 | Joseph Carroll

Posted on 02/18/2005 2:23:36 PM PST by NYGOPRULEZ

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To: Cyclopean Squid

"Clinton. Come on. This is a joke. He certainly wasn't the worst..."

You come on. Who could possibly have managed to beat him on that one? Tell me, please. I just hafta read the history on a worse prez.


161 posted on 02/20/2005 12:31:38 PM PST by Blue Collar Christian ( Political correctness is incorrect. ><BCC>)
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To: drt1
It is unfortunate that these polls don't limit the participants to those who have a demonstrable knowledge of American History and the Presidency. Lacking that limitation the 'Poll' ends up being, for the most part, a name recognition exercises, useless in measuring true greatness..

Well, sure, except you know that Gallup is never going to release a poll that says, "Clinton Choice of Ignorant," nor would the Times, etc print it nor CBS, etc broadcast it.

I have often wondered about the point you raise, though. Are they any polling orgs, or any circumstances, where qualifying questions are asked to measure the relevant knowledge of respondents?

162 posted on 02/20/2005 12:40:34 PM PST by Stultis
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To: Stultis

They have targeted surveys, most often used in Market Research, that 'Qualify' respondents. This technique is used often whereas this type of survey is just for publicity or to prove a pointless point IMO.


163 posted on 02/20/2005 12:44:28 PM PST by drt1
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To: Tarpaulin

Hmmmm. I go with the following (Bush43 presumptively in the top 5, but awaiting more perpsective for placement):

1) Lincoln
2) Reagan
3) TR
4) Andy "By God" Jackson


164 posted on 02/20/2005 12:46:41 PM PST by Stultis
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To: Blue Collar Christian

Carter. Harding. Buchanan. Wilson. Hoover. Even Nixon (detente, ugh). Clinton was not the worst president we've ever had. He was below-average to average. He failed on many levels, but the country did not crumble because of him. That he did little to avert terrorism is true, but virtually no one foresaw the danger of Islamofascism until it struck us on our home soil. He was hoping to enjoy the peace that the Fall of the USSR promised, albeit illusory. Clinton was an embarrassment, not a bane. People should not claim he is the greatest president simply because he is so recent; neither should they label him the worst for that reason.


165 posted on 02/20/2005 12:50:19 PM PST by Cyclopean Squid (The 80s belonged to the Gipper, the Aughts belong to Dubya!)
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To: Cyclopean Squid

"That he did little(as in nothing)to avert terrorism is true, but virtually no one(?except for maybe Olie North)foresaw the danger of Islamofascism until it struck us on our home soil(the second time)."

Carter-same guy as Clinton except with some morals. Clinton is even following in Carter's footsteps somewhat in his bid to be some great world wide nice guy.
I'll have to read more on Harding, Buchanan and Wilson, but I disagree about Hoover.


166 posted on 02/20/2005 5:03:06 PM PST by Blue Collar Christian ( Political correctness is incorrect. ><BCC>)
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To: NYGOPRULEZ

Hard to say who the best was, buy by far my fav was teddy roosevelt.


167 posted on 02/20/2005 5:05:02 PM PST by mamelukesabre
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To: NYGOPRULEZ

clinton?

gag me with a spoon, dude!

these people probably watch tv 8+ hours a day.


168 posted on 02/20/2005 5:12:14 PM PST by ken21 (the terrorists didn't blow up the new york times because the times supports them. /s)
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To: zarf
He will never be great because in hindsight he failed miserably in responding to the growth Islamic terror.

An interesting post.

I believe President Reagan was in later years, more subject to the spin doctors/media nuts such as Deaver, Gergen, James Baker, etc. I believe they helped to pressure Reagan from acting in ways he would have otherwise acted. Also, Reagan liked to delegate, but that is only as successful as the people you delegate to being up to the challenge. The Iran-Contra matter cost Reagan dearly in the area of Middle East foreign policy credibility.

With that said, building a strong defense was a priority for Reagan and I believe that he correctly deduced that Communism was the bigger threat than Islamic extremism.

169 posted on 02/21/2005 6:34:42 AM PST by Fury
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To: churchillbuff
Top seven:

1. Washington

2. Lincoln

3. FDR

4. HST

5. Reagan

6. Jefferson

7. Teddy Roosevelt

170 posted on 02/21/2005 6:40:11 AM PST by kabar
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