Who was the greatest American president?

[MadisonProgressive]

Poll question: Who was the greatest American president?

[TayTay]

1. FDR

His bold leadership saved America from a descent into xenophobia and demogoguery. He gave the American people a reason to hope and allowed them to believe that the future would be better and dissuaded them from laying blame on outcast groups. He saved America.

[SteppingRazor]

7. Actually...

His bold leadership saved America from a descent into xenophobia and demogoguery for about 55 years. ;)

Still, I agree. Best president we've had.

[TroglodyteScholar]

2. Don't have anything to say about the poll, but...

I really like your Zappa pic, MadisonProgressive......... :)

[MadisonProgressive]

5. I know, it's cool (I stole it of course)

[Itchinjim]

3. Lincoln and FDR

Both saved America.

[Yupster]

13. Washington my vote for best

FDR next - no love for Lincoln here.

[GreenArrow]

4. the greatest is yet to come

off the list, FDR or Jefferson.

[MadisonProgressive]

6. FREEPER ALERT!

We're being freeped. 3 votes for RayGun. At least they had the sense not to vote for **

[acmejack]

8. Jefferson

He was instrumental in forming this nation, bold in reversing the many infringements perpetrated by Adams (the elder) and w/o him FDR wouldn't even have had the opportunity to do his wonderful deeds.

[One_Life_To_Give]

9. If Washington hadn't put an end to

talk of a military coup. We might never have become a democracy.

[Cats Against Frist]

23. Jefferson's the one -- the first French-loving "liberal elite"

Responsible for the Declaration of Independence, the Louisiana Purchase, author of The Jefferson Bible, and staunch defender of the Enlightenment.

Thank Jeebus that the radical Christians have finally started to disown him.

[Mad_Dem_X]

28. Hard to choose, but I gotta give it to Tom

I love me some T.J.! LOL:patriot:

[leyton]

10. So hard to choose.

I think Washington deserves a lot of praise (as a previous poster stated) because he made the Presidency what it is. He set term limits (informally) and used his influence with judiciousness and justice, refusing to be crowned king, etc.

Jefferson had a great accomplishment in the Louisiana purchase, but I don't know about the other things he did.

FDR got my vote, though, because when he saw that America and American government in particular needed to be transformed, he stepped up and did the job that was needed. He also defeated Hitler, when many American pols wanted to stay neutral. Kudos for doing what was necessary there too. Also his cousin Teddy gets an "assist" for his Square Deal reforms.

Bush was great in that he made all the other Presidents look good.

[bunkerbuster1]

11. Ronnie Raygun!

He was a resolute war heeroe who brought down the Commie's without firing a single shot!

I love's me some koolaid!

</wingnut>

[mopinko]

12. it will be

the one that sends the military industrial complex running with it's tail between it's legs. i voted for tr, since he is the closest so far to doing such a thing. but i think it will take a mom in the white house to really fix this country.

[kodi]

14. First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen

George Washington was a giant. Without him I do not believe we would be the Uniteds States of America. yes, also he owned slaves.

Washington could have been king, or president for life. he set the mold for the presidency and the nation and relinquished power without a fight. This act was so stunning in that age that Napoleon was amazed at Washington's behavior in ceding power.

We owe more to George Washington than we do to any other American for this nation.

[MadisonProgressive]

15. Yup, that's why I voted for him too!

[SaveElmer]

25. Washington greatest overall American...Lincoln greatest Prez

Washington is up there - 2 or 3 - but he did not have to deal with anything on the scale that Lincoln did.

However, I do think Washington is the greatest American that ever lived. Despite the cliche, he truly was the Father of our Country

[DrGonzoLives]

16. Chet Arthur!

FEAR THE MUTTON CHOPS

[theboss]

17. James K. Polk

I will argue this until everyone agrees with me.

It's not even close.

[ISUGRADIA]

21. James K Polk, his accomplishments:

In four short years he met his every goal
He seized the whole southwest from Mexico
Made sure the tarriffs fell
And made the English sell the Oregon territory
He built an independent treasury
Having done all this he sought no second term
But precious few have mourned the passing of
Mister James K. Polk, our eleventh president
Young Hickory, Napoleon of the Stump

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/James-K-Polk-lyrics-They-Might-Be-Giants/4EAB973F4E4508B7482568B1002CEE09

[mcd1982]

26. ill agree with polk...

but i'm biased b/c i'm related to him. But, an interesting side note is that he is the only president to actually fulfill all of his campaign promises (he only made 4)!

[theboss]

29. And then he quit

If every politician followed his lead, this would be an amazing country.

Just imagine everyone gets in office to do one or two things and then leaves. You'd have no lifers. No iron triangles. No old boys' networks.

[MadisonProgressive]

18. Hey! Who deleted the poll?????

WTF GIVES??

[snowbear]

20. Yeah... where's your poll anyway?

:shrug:

Maybe the tinkering they're doing to the forums right now accidently whapped it into the ozone or something? :o

[MadisonProgressive]

24. It magically reappeared again.

[FreedomAngel82]

19. FDR!!

He was the best!!!

[dajoki]

22. absolutely

none close.

[demwing]

27. The greatest president, or the greatest man who was president?

Greatest pres - FDR (Though I voted for Teddy. His three votes needed a lift)

Greatest person who was president - Has to be a toss between Washington and Jefferson. Incredible personalities. Can't choose 1 over the other.