Who were the three worst Presidents in American History AND WHY???

Question

I have a college debate next Monday and I need some input from history scholars or teachers or people that have read a lot about the presidents. I need to be able to defend my position. I would like to know what other people think. Please don't cut and past some stupid Wikipeda article. That won't do no good.

Answer 1

Anyone that won't accept Wikipedia cut and paste articles can't be all bad in my book.

As a historian here is my take for what it's worth:

Grant: He was a great general but clearly over his head in serving as the nation's chief executive. He was totally unaware of what was going on within his own cabinet and within Congress. He knew nothing about the Salary Grab scandal involving Congress writing themselves one too many pay increases. He was oblivious as to the Credit Mobilier Scandal in which corrupt Congressmen created a dummy railroad company and ripped off the taxpayers to the tune of over $100,000. And he had no idea that during the Whiskey Ring scandal tax collectors were being bribed into falsifying tax records out west as they "counted" the amount of alcohol being produced by western distillers.

2. Harding--again, a nice guy, a back-slapping, glad-hander, who was oblivious as to what was going on under his feet. However unlike Grant, Harding is most known for only one scandal--Teapot Dome, in which Albert B. Fall (Secretary of the Interior) leased government oil reserves to private businessmen (Harry Sinclair, president of Mammoth Oil--later to be named Sinclair Oil)

3. Nixon--Nixon is a tricky one because he also accomplished some good as a president in pitting Russia against China to insure beneficial trade agreements with both. But his blatant dishonesty and disregard for the Constitution and the laws of the land place him towards the bottom of the pile.

Of course as a historian it is too soon to predict Bush's place on the presidential totem pole, but I fear he will be near the bottom as well. But we won't know that for sure for about another twenty years when all the dust settles. Historians are just now starting to understand Carter's effectiveness as president.

Answer 2

Wow, what a great bunch of answers you've received. Stipulate that you don't want Wikipedia answers and all of a sudden you get real historians answering your question. Well, I'm only a student of history, but it's 20th century American and European history that I lean toward (actually, post 1945 US/Euro - Soviet relations and foreign policy), but let me add my two cents as well (which will only be one "worst president", because everyone else has given such good answers!).

1. James Buchanan. I mean, let's face it, this guy basically caused the Civil War (to happen when it did). He supported Popular Sovereignty in the South, the Lecompton Constitution in Kansas, and seven states had seceded before he was even out of office (and he had no plan for that, either!).

Good luck!

Answer 3

Bill Clinton Second president impeached, old joke, George Washington couldn't tell the truth, Richard Nixon couldn't tell a lie, Bill Clinton couldn't tell the difference.
Reason he's the worst: Total lack of character, cared nothing for anyone but himself.


Jimmy Carter Most likely a nice honest man. Totally in over his head, didn't have a clue how to pick advisers. The WORST domestic policy EVER, ( his only chance to be redeemed of this ignoble honor is if we elect Al Gore or John Kerry)
Reason Incompetent, clueless, book smart, political idiot


Nixon As noted above, couldn't tell the truth, but was smart enough to resign, believed country shouldn't have to live through an impeachment proceeding, (note, he would not have been removed from office, no evidence, lack of evidence does not constitute evidence). Did a lot of good things, especially China policy, (Kissinger).
But lack of character puts him on the list.

Answer 4

As a historian myself, I would generally agree with Curious.

Both Grant and Harding were in way over their heads, they let people in their administrations wildly abuse the system, and they did little to improve the country. I think almost every historian in the country would place them at or near the bottom.

And it's hard to argue for Nixon, as he did plunge the nation into its gravest political crisis ever. Then again, he did open up China, started the EPA and OSHA. I'm not saying I'd vote for Tricky Dick, but there are mitigating factors.

And while it is early to rule on GW, there are serious historians who are making the case for his inclusion among your "three worst."
Including Sean Wilentz in Rolling Stone:
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/profile/story/9961300/the_worst_president_in_history

Robert McIlvaine on historians take on Bush (81 percent rank him a failure): http://hnn.us/articles/5019.html

The Washington Post had a debate over whether Bush was worst, which compares him to other bad presidents. Good material for the debate in any case:
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Washington_Post_editorials_debate_if_Bush_1203.html

Answer 5

Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter.

Answer 6

Nixon...Watergate scandal
Clinton...cheated on wife and lid about it
Johnson...some people think that he planned the Kennedy assassination

Answer 7

Bush,Bush,Washington

Answer 8

Whatever you do, make sure you don't leave out the one we have now!

Answer 9

I vote for all those manifest-destiny and smallpox-blanket dudes.