Best President In The History Of The United States Is........?

Question

Tell me your answers and why.

Answer 1

Abraham Lincoln.
In coining the term "A house divided cannot stand", once Lincoln became president, he started on a tear of presidential directives that demonstrated nothing less than a dictatorship was being born. His action of suspending Habeas Corpus nearly caused a mutiny in the small Congress that was left. Newspaper editorials daily condemned him personally as a corrupt dictator, and his presidential actions as illegal and unconstitutional. Talk of his impeachment was constantly debated in Congress and Congressional political foes only approved his war measures in part because they expected..., almost daily, that Lincoln would be assassinated or overthrown in a coup d'etat of some kind, because Lincoln assassination plots were always overheard, everywhere, by various sources. And..., there were SO many attempts to assassinate him that the Secret Service, (first formed to fight counterfeiting), soon took over the protection of the President because southerners who were in the Pinkerton Squads (protecting the president at the time) tried to kill him themselves but had failed, in part because northern Pinkertons were so busy foiling the southern Pinkertons attempts, in their own company, that the southern Pinkerton's own chances soon were squandered.
There was almost daily street protests in northern cities protesting Lincoln's administration, which was one of the most corrupt in history, teeming with government officials becoming millionaires virtually overnight due to war profiteering. There was rioting in northern cities over the new selective service, or drafting of young men. The wealthy bought their son's freedom from military service or made sure their precious ones were safely tucked behind some military desk, out of harm's way.

Lincoln went through so many Generals, because of his northern General's inability to competently engage the enemy became the main reason massively disproportionate amounts of northern soldiers were dying needlessly. Lincoln was continuously, maddenly, and insanely frustrated by General McClellan's inaction and incompetence, or their ineffectiveness; (Burnsides, Hooker). He found and promoted Ulysses Grant almost by accident. One night at a White House gathering/party, Lincoln overheard the drunk and nattily, dirty uniformed, lieutenant Grant criticize his own commanders. Asked if he could do better,the drunk Grant laughed that, "My dog could do better". Lincoln looked him in his eye and told him to get ready for his new command. Grant, sobered by the realization of what had just occurred, was about to protest when Lincoln turned back to him and was overheard by others to say,
"Just in case, bring your dog too..."
Everyone, everywhere, agreed that there was an "absolute uniform hatred" for Lincoln, and there was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was definitely going to lose his bid for re-election to McClellan, his first General, who soldiers harbored an affection for. The North was STILL losing men hand over fist as the election neared - though the tide had finally begun to turn, mostly due to the fact that General Grant, now in charge, immediately started throwing human wave after human wave of northern soldiers at the better soldiers of the south..., excellent marksmen all their lives from learning to hunt with a rifle from an early age.
Fact: The Northern forces lost over 100,000 more soldiers than the South did!
But Grant had even MORE soldiers and was better supplied due to a manufacturing base the South couldn't match and in a "model of war" tactic that US WWII Generals would follow 75 years later, the northern General Ulysses Grant just chased down the Southern forces with greater numbers, nonceasingly engaging the South in battle and in a very short period of time, just ran the Southern forces dead-ragged tired. Robert E. Lee's own family was chased off their Southern plantation towards this very end of the war when northern forces started burying their war dead right in Robert E. Lee's front yard, close to the mansion, today known as Arlington National cemetary! But in that matter of months, (and 100's of thousands of lives lost!), Robert E. Lee saw the handwriting on the wall and in a decision to SAVE lives, surrendered.
That is why, when John Wilkes Boothe assassinated Lincoln, he was absolutely CERTAIN that he would be looked at upon in history books as one of the greatest martyr's to ever exist, instead was incomprehensibly confused, and disappointed in realizing his own action produced his portrayal in history as nothing but a desperate, unnecessary embarrassment. Reflected in his last words, while looking at his hands he whispered, "Worthless..." and died.

Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War, had at one time earlier in Lincoln's young lawyer career so humiliated Lincoln, publicly calling him, "Nothing but a country hick", that Lincoln considered quitting of being a lawyer all together. Now in a position of unprecedented power, Lincoln appointed Stanton to a position of power Stanton once could only DREAM of attaining, and put there by the very man he had publicly humiliated just a few short years previous! Towards the end of the Civil War, Stanton had correctly comprehended that Abraham Lincoln would become one of the greatest men in the history of all mankind.

And he has...

Answer 2

First I would like to say that barely mentioned a president before the 20th century. This is a shame because most modern presidents haven't followed the constitution. FDR threatened the Supreme Court during his Presidency. Also FDR was the start of big government. The founding fathers never intended for the size of the present federal government.

My pick is simple it has to be George Washington. Barn none one of the greatest cabinets. Better then any other preceeding it. It had just about every well known founding father. Alexander Hamiliton as the secretary of treasury. Also Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. These two historical figures alone overshadow some presidents.

Now to get on to one of the greatest man to effect American History. George Washington decided not to be King. If Washington decided to be King then Democracy would of failed. Also its the first time in history that a leader decided not to obtain more power. Also George Washington would be one of the most constitutionally guided presidency, far greater then FDR.

Answer 3

Ronald Reagan! More than a president, he was a phenomenon -- an icon to some, and an enigma to others. He stood up to the worst economic, domestic, and international threats of the time and yet, took naps in the middle of cabinet meetings. At the height of his popularity in 1986, he had, as Time magazine put it, “found America's sweet spot. “ Reagan had ideals of what he felt America should be like, and made it his number one goal to share his unrelenting optimism with every person in the country. He pledged to bring Americans a “little good news.” and created a strong bond with the public. Throughout his eight years in office, he continually motivated and energized his supporters while at the same time, confounded and mystified his detractors. Oh, and then there's that whole "wall" thing.... :-)

Answer 4

Washington and Reagan, both rose above the world around them and built a world noone could have envisioned before their election. Washington declined to become a monarch and Reagan declined to bow in the face of socialism. Within a few years of Washingtons leaving office, other nations realized a Republic could exist, within a few years of Reagans death, the USSR was history and Marxism was a dead letter.

Answer 5

Richard Nixon. He formed OSHA and the EPA. Started the withdrawal from Vietnam. Established relations with China. Made large advancements in the Civil Rights movement.

Yes, he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, but he still did a lot during his time in office.

Answer 6

A three way tie among Teddy Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan.

TR - Did a lot for the environment as well as strengthening our navy.

Abe - Freed the slaves.

Reagan - Ended the Cold War.

Answer 7

Lincoln hands down- he did what was best for the country even when it was not the popular thing to do. That is a real leader. The one's today play too much politics and don't really care about the people.

Answer 8

Lincoln...if not for him, the country would be very different now. Reagan was also a great modern day President - he made people believe in themselves and their country.

Both are a far cry from the current disaster we call President.

Answer 9

That's tough to name just one.

FDR: seeing this country thru the depression and most of WWII.

Lincoln: for having the guts to got to war to keep this country together and abolishing slavery.

Washington/Adams/Jefferson: for being the first presidents and setting the tone.

Answer 10

The father of our great country.(George Washington)hands down.
Without him we would still be ruled by the brittish. There would be no United States. Our great leaders after him, followed in his footsteps.

Answer 11

Reagan. Winning the "Cold War" without firing a shot.