Posted on 02/18/2005 2:23:36 PM PST by NYGOPRULEZ
GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- Depending on where Americans live, on Monday they'll be celebrating the birthday of the nation's first president, George Washington, or Washington's birthday and President Abraham Lincoln's birthday. A recent Gallup Poll asking Americans to name, without prompting, the "greatest United States president," finds Americans most often mentioning Ronald Reagan. Republicans and Democrats differ sharply in their views of the greatest president, with Republicans most often mentioning Reagan and Democrats most often mentioning Bill Clinton. When asked to choose the greater president between Lincoln and Washington, Americans pick Lincoln by a wide margin.
Reagan Tops List
The poll, conducted Feb. 7-10, finds that Reagan is mentioned more often than any other president in history as the greatest, at 20%. Four other presidents trail closely behind: Clinton (with 15% of the mentions), Lincoln (14%), Franklin D. Roosevelt (12%), and John F. Kennedy (also 12%). The current president, George W. Bush, and the first president, Washington, are each mentioned by 5% of Americans.
(Excerpt) Read more at gallup.com ...
"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.
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?
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.
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
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.
"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.
Hard to say who the best was, buy by far my fav was teddy roosevelt.
clinton?
gag me with a spoon, dude!
these people probably watch tv 8+ hours a day.
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.
1. Washington
2. Lincoln
3. FDR
4. HST
5. Reagan
6. Jefferson
7. Teddy Roosevelt
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.