[COEXERJ145]

I can't understand why they consider Buchanan a failure. He was President during the war against Mexico and we gained a lot of geography (maybe that's not considered a good thing any more).

That would be James K Polk who was President during the Mexican-American War. Buchanan preceded Lincoln.

[rbg81]

But Polk should be remembered primarily for launching that unprovoked attack on Mexico and seizing one-third of its territory for the United States. I see this type of refrain more and more lately. Within a decade, you will see these Academics (& their ilk) openly advocating that we return the Southwest to Mexico.