Take 5: U.S. Presidents

[Superman=#54]

Take 5 is a Chicago sports radio segment. It was created by ESPN AM 1000 radio host Harry Teinowitz. The purpose of Take 5 is to get the opinion of the people on a certain subject. Now I bring this wildly popular radio segment to the FOFC boards.

Todays subject... Favorite U.S. Presidents

For Example:

In no particular order
1. Gerald Ford
2. Jimmy Carter
3. Warren Harding
4. Grover Cleveland
5. James Garfield

[Poli]

Take 5 is a Chicago sports radio segment. It was created by ESPN AM 1000 radio host Harry Teinowitz. The purpose of Take 5 is to get the opinion of the people on a certain subject. Now I bring this wildly popular radio segment to the FOFC boards.

Todays subject... Favorite U.S. Presidents

For Example:

In no particular order
1. Gerald Ford
2. Jimmy Carter
3. Warren Harding
4. Grover Cleveland
5. James Garfield
You listen to that, too?

[Subby]

1. Teddy Roosevelt
2. Harry Truman
3. George Washington
4. Abraham Lincoln
5. Bill Clinton

The first two are just badass beyond compare. The next two courageous beyond compare. The last one is just so goddman charismatic I can't help myself.

[heybrad]

Isnt this just Mount Rushmore +1?

[heybrad]

dola... that could be interpreted 2 different ways. I meant from an FOFC standpoint, not a presidential standpoint.

[kcchief19]

In no particular order
1. Gerald Ford
2. Jimmy Carter
3. Warren Harding
4. Grover Cleveland
5. James Garfield This may be the most bizzarre list of "favorite" U.S. Presidents I have ever seen. I'm going to need to request a plausible explanation. I just want to make sure you have a reason for your madness; your fondness for presidents whose terms were notable in their failures or lack of accomplishments fascinates me.

[korme]

1. Teddy Roosevelt
2. Harry Truman
3. George Washington
4. Abraham Lincoln
5. Bill Clinton

The first two are just badass beyond compare. The next two courageous beyond compare. The last one is just so goddman charismatic I can't help myself.
hairy ass

[Chas in Cinti]

1. Teddy Roosevelt (Embodied American "spirit", Hugely leveraged Naval superiority and recognized its importance and strength, started political Environmentalism)
2. Ronald Reagan (Proactive approach to developing relationships with the Eastern Bloc, progressed to demanding its destruction, invested heavily in Corporate infrastructure on the heels of a devastating decade economically)
3. Thomas Jefferson (set forth many axioms for a young country's trade policies, imbued America as a participant in World events, increased our land mass by over double)
4. George Washington (blazed a trail of leadership between a precariously balanced system of government, power of personality and calm guided the nation through its formative years)
5. James Monroe (powerful Monroe Doctrine legitimized the US as a world power and dared the traditional powers to challenge us, set the stage for further expansion and infrastructure development, took us to the only New World voice in Europe)

Just some rambling thoughts...

-Chas

[JonInMiddleGA]

Take 5 is a Chicago sports radio segment. It was created by ESPN AM 1000 radio host Harry Teinowitz. The purpose of Take 5 is to get the opinion of the people on a certain subject. Now I bring this wildly popular radio segment to the FOFC boards.

Todays subject... Favorite U.S. Presidents

For Example:

In no particular order
1. Gerald Ford
2. Jimmy Carter
3. Warren Harding
4. Grover Cleveland
5. James Garfield

5 in no particular order
Bush II, Reagan ... pause ... Truman ... longer pause ... Washington maye, and damned if I can pick another that I'm sufficiently comfortable attaching my name to.

[Flasch186]

Washington
Lincoln
FDR
Clinton
Reagan (foreign policy not domestically)

[cougarfreak]

1. Washington
2. FDR
3. Reagan
4. Clinton
5. Teddy Roosevelt

[cody8200]

Lincoln
FDR
Jefferson (for doubling land size)
Eisenhower
gerald ford (I like that he seems like an every day guy)
george bush 1 (just a badass...I like him better out of office)


PS gerald ford is only there for an honorable mention

[Senator]

Teddy Roosevelt
Lyndon Johnson
Ronald Reagan
FDR
Lincoln

[Radii]

Washington
Lincoln
Jefferson
FDR
Clinton

[duckman]

George Washington
Ronald Reagan
Abraham Lincoln
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Thomas Jefferson

[Surtt]

"My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union." Abraham Lincoln

I have a real tough time with Lincoln. I think he was a great president during the country's toughest time. But his using the emancipation of the slaves as a political move leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Doubly so, because he is usually given credit for doing it on moral grounds.

[Blackadar]

Lincoln
Washington
Jefferson
Truman
Clinton

























HAHAHA - I'm sure that last one gave people quite a shock. Seriously, #5 is James Polk, who added Washington, Oregon and California to the USA. FDR is #6 (though I'm not a big fan of his Federalism) and Clinton does make the top 10, as does Ronald Reagan.

[TroyF]

Harry Truman - Made one of the toughest decisions (if not THE toughest decision) any sitting president has had to make. And he made the right call.

George Washington - Could have been king. Set the tone for our democracy.

Reagan - Helped end the cold war.

Lincoln - He had his faults, but he held this county together during an incredibly difficult time.

FDR - Some faults. . . but he did a lot for this country.

[waitforit]

Anyone else find it funny that opposites FDR and Reagan are on so many lists?

[Buzzbee]

Washington
Lincoln
FDR
Clinton
Reagan (foreign policy not domestically)
Wasamatta Flasch? Couldn't put a Republican on there without a caveat. I can see it now.


Lincoln
FDR
Clinton
Reagan

[Flasch thought bubble]
Wait! I can't just put Reagan on there. I've got to put an explanation, else they might take my liberal card away!
[/Flasch thought bubble]

Lincoln
FDR
Clinton
Reagan (foreign policy not domestically)

[Flasch thought bubble]
There. That'll do.
[/Flasch thought bubble]

[pennywisesb]

Ronald Reagan
FDR
Lincoln
Washington
George W. Bush

(in no particular order)

[Raiders Army]

Benjamin Franklin
Samuel Adams
Isaac Newton
Bill Gates
Ted Turner

[Fritz]

Wasamatta Flasch? Couldn't put a Republican on there without a caveat. I can see it now.


Lincoln
FDR
Clinton
Reagan

[Flasch thought bubble]
Wait! I can't just put Reagan on there. I've got to put an explanation, else they might take my liberal card away!
[/Flasch thought bubble]

Lincoln
FDR
Clinton
Reagan (foreign policy not domestically)

[Flasch thought bubble]
There. That'll do.
[/Flasch thought bubble]

lincoln was a republican

[Flasch186]

Wasamatta Flasch? Couldn't put a Republican on there without a caveat. I can see it now.


Lincoln
FDR
Clinton
Reagan

[Flasch thought bubble]
Wait! I can't just put Reagan on there. I've got to put an explanation, else they might take my liberal card away!
[/Flasch thought bubble]

Lincoln
FDR
Clinton
Reagan (foreign policy not domestically)

[Flasch thought bubble]
There. That'll do.
[/Flasch thought bubble]


nope....im sure it has something to do with being alive in my time. Im sure that some older pres. get slighted because of that but what can you do. For 8 years he was my president so you might say Im biased towards him due to that. Domestically he did some things Im not a fan of but the fact that he won the cold war, broke down foreign barriers, helped germany tear down the wall....well he deserves to be on my list. You should know me by know...if anything Im consistent in my stances and am not afraid to speak my mind on or against things from both sides of the aisle.

[Raven Hawk]

Thomas Jefferson
Teddy Roosevelt
Frankie D. Roosevelt
Abraham Lincoln
Dwight D. Eisenhower

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Washington
TR
Lincoln
Jackson
Nixon

Next 6 (hard to pair it down)
Ike
Jimmy
FDR
Cleveland
Monroe
Buchanan

[RPI-Fan]

Washington
Adams
Jefferson
Madison
Lincoln

[TroyF]

Anyone else find it funny that opposites FDR and Reagan are on so many lists?


Not really. You can be good president doing things different ways.

[albionmoonlight]

Lincoln
Teddy Roosevelt
FDR
Washington
Jefferson

No particular order, though Lincoln is my favorite.

[ThunderingHERD]

Woodrow Wilson
FDR
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Bill Clinton

[Ryche]

Teddy Roosevelt
Thomas Jefferson
Abe Lincoln
George Bush Sr.
Richard Nixon

[Buzzbee]

lincoln was a republican
Yes, but there has been such a change in the political parties, and government in general, that I don't really lump Lincoln in with the Republicans of my lifetime.

[Buzzbee]

nope....im sure it has something to do with being alive in my time. Im sure that some older pres. get slighted because of that but what can you do. For 8 years he was my president so you might say Im biased towards him due to that. Domestically he did some things Im not a fan of but the fact that he won the cold war, broke down foreign barriers, helped germany tear down the wall....well he deserves to be on my list. You should know me by know...if anything Im consistent in my stances and am not afraid to speak my mind on or against things from both sides of the aisle.
Just giving you a hard time.

I know you call it like you see it. I just wish you'd take off those rose colored glasses. :p

[oliegirl]

1. Reagan
2. FDR
3. Bush II
4. Lincoln
5. Jefferson

[Aylmar]

Reagan
Teddy R
Lincoln
Washington
Jefferson

[lcjjdnh]

In no particular order:

1)Teddy
2)Washington
3)Lincoln
4)Wilson
5)FDR

And as food for thought, the 5 worst
1)Harding
2)Nixon
3)Hayes
4)Jackson
5)Andrew Johnson

[Surtt]

I am somewhat surprised that no one has listed JFK.
A generation ago, he was considered the greatest American of all time.

[Buccaneer]

Lincoln - I'm biased. (ps. Subby, he had to do what it took to be successful in holding the fragile coalition together to execute the war. The end justify the means.)
T. Roosevelt - the definition of being "presidential"
Washington - the only truly non-partisan president
J. Adams - the last of predominately non-partisan president
Coolidge - the last and greatest of the liberatarian-minded presidents

Other lists:

Honorable mentions: Truman and Eisenhower
The most overrated: Jefferson and Clinton
The most controversal: A. Johnson, Cleveland, Bush II
The most worthless: Buchanan and B. Harrison
The most inept (despite being fine human beings): Grant and Carter
The most capable (despite being lousy human beings): A. Jackson and Nixon

[Buccaneer]

I am somewhat surprised that no one has listed JFK.
A generation ago, he was considered the greatest American of all time.
I am of "a generation ago" growing up with the Kennedy mystique. It was a time of wanting to believe in Camelot and the cult celebrity-ness. Hindsight and history have shown that JFK had more skeletons in his closet than most could even comprehend. I give him credit for what he did that October but in the end, he is probably properly viewed as the same as Nixon - an exceptionally flawed character and president except that JFK hid it much better than Nixon did.

[Peregrine]

How about a Take 5 of Presidents who died in office?

1) Lincoln - assassinated
2) JFK - assassinated
3) Mckinley - assassinated
4) Garfield - assassinated
5) William Henry Harrison - died 30 days after his inauguration

[NoMyths]

5 in no particular order
Bush II, Reagan ... pause ... Truman ... longer pause ... Washington maye, and damned if I can pick another that I'm sufficiently comfortable attaching my name to.Jackson would have been right up your alley.

[Superman=#54]

You listen to that, too?

I suppose you mean Mac, Jurko, and Harry. The answer is yes I do.

[Superman=#54]

This may be the most bizzarre list of "favorite" U.S. Presidents I have ever seen. I'm going to need to request a plausible explanation. I just want to make sure you have a reason for your madness; your fondness for presidents whose terms were notable in their failures or lack of accomplishments fascinates me.

1. Gerald Ford - He was the only non-elected president. That alone makes him one of my favorites. He wasn't second in line like LBJ. He had to wait for Spiro and Dick to drop off. Also he played center for the University of Michigan. I love Big Ten products. The W.I.N. button campaign was classically funny. It should have worked in theory, but trying to convince the American public that little buttons will dissipate the massive inflation is laughable. Also the SNL skits making fun of him for him bumping his head are classic.

2. Jimmy Carter - Carter took plain folks to a whole new level. After a while the American public got tired of his act. Carter's brother was some kind of character. :rolleyes: Carter's magnus opus was his story of the giant rabbit attacking him, or maybe it was bringing peace to the Middle East (for a very short time).

3. Warren Harding - He had absolutely no vision. He thought the job of the president was ceremonial. :confused: He loved to gamble, even so far as to gamble away the Whitehouse china. He was a drinker and he loved the ladies, even while he was married. He did not hire his staff based on any qualifications, he hired his drinking buddies. The man had his priorities straight. :rolleyes: He makes my list because he dies and there is a possibility his wife could have killed him, yet there is no investigation. :eek: Different times, it is just amazing to look back and see how far we have come when it comes to Presidents dying. During that time it seemed like they might have been happy the old man croaked.

4. Grover Cleveland - Was elected president as a bachelor. Something we will never see again in our lifetimes. If Grover Cleveland were trying to run for president today I imagine we would get comments like this, "That dude aint got no lady wat is he a fag or somethin" or "This guy don't got no lady what is he some kind of super nerd." Cleveland would later get married to a 21 year old beauty. The reason Cleveland makes the list is because he was a red ass. "If it takes the entire army and navy of the United States to deliver a post card in Chicago that card will be delivered," said Cleveland during a railroad workers strike in Chicago.

5. James Garfield - He was a Union general during the Civil War. He fought in quite a few battles and he was able to bring the momentum back to the North with his victories. He makes my list because he fought in the Civil War and he had a very tough battle to become president. He gets into office then he is shot and killed. Only Thomas Dewey had a shorter Presideny. ;) :p

[NoMyths]

5. James Garfield - He was a Union general during the Civil War. He fought in quite a few battles and he was able to bring the momentum back to the North with his victories.Eh?

[Superman=#54]

Benjamin Franklin
Samuel Adams
Isaac Newton
Bill Gates
Ted Turner

I like the way you think.

Benjamin Franklin - president of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention
Isaac Newton - president of the Royal Society
Samuel Adams - president of the Continental Congress
Bill Gates - president of Microsoft
Ted Turner - president of Turner Broadcasting System and he owns a bunch of other things. CNN, Cartoon Network, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks... on and on.

[Superman=#54]

Eh?

The Civil War is a little foggy for me. I suppose you mean that I was wrong that Garfield swung momentum for the North. I do believe that Garfield was a general and he did win a few battles. I may have gone a lot over the top in assuming he swung momentum. :) I should leave the Civil War speculation to other people. I'll stick with Vietnam speculation from now on, I promise. :)

[HomerJSimpson]

The Civil War is a little foggy for me. I suppose you mean that I was wrong that Garfield swung momentum for the North. I do believe that Garfield was a general and he did win a few battles. I may have gone a lot over the top in assuming he swung momentum. :) I should leave the Civil War speculation to other people. I'll stick with Vietnam speculation from now on, I promise. :)


He had a strong win in Kentucky in 1962, when the North had very little to cheer about. You are not wrong (or at least completely wrong).

[MrBug708]

nope....im sure it has something to do with being alive in my time. Im sure that some older pres. get slighted because of that but what can you do. For 8 years he was my president so you might say Im biased towards him due to that. Domestically he did some things Im not a fan of but the fact that he won the cold war, broke down foreign barriers, helped germany tear down the wall....well he deserves to be on my list. You should know me by know...if anything Im consistent in my stances and am not afraid to speak my mind on or against things from both sides of the aisle.

Flasch, you are many things but being able to see things from both sides of the aisle is not something you excel at. At least on this board....

[JonInMiddleGA]

Jackson would have been right up your alley.

Heh, I considered him for a few minutes, actually had him typed at one point before posting & then decided to brush up on my Jacksonian history. For as much as I see some of my own choices in his (such as the patronage system & the kitchen cabinet), there was ultimately enough to leave him off the list.

Described from various sources (although none nearly as thorough as a couple I managed to Google up at the time I was posting)

With regard to a tariff nullification by South Carolina
Jackson was as far from being a States' Righter as it was possible to be and issued a presidential proclamation against South Carolina.

That dispute led to the exchange on April 13th 1829 (oddly enough, my b-day is April 13th) ... Particularly famous was an incident at the April 13, 1829 Jefferson Day dinner, involving after-dinner toasts. Jackson rose first and voice booming, yelled out "Our federal Union: IT MUST BE PRESERVED!", a clear challenge to Calhoun. Calhoun responded in a trembling voice "The Union: next to our liberty, most dear!," an astonishingly quick-witted riposte.


The nullification issue foreshadowed a much larger battle to come, and with Jackson acting on the wrong side of the issue in his own context, I couldn't in good conscience include him on my list.

[Superman=#54]

So far here are the Top 5 Take 5 for FOFC.

Abraham Lincoln (16 Lists)
George Washington (14 Lists)
Franklin D. Roosevelt (12 Lists)
Theodore Roosevelt (11 Votes)
Thomas Jefferson (11 Votes)

[sabotai]

George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
Calvin Coolidge
Harry Truman