American History

© Roger Saunders

Best President

  1. JohnCrandall

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1.   Jul 6, 2007 4:06 AM

» JohnCrandall - GW

In response to GW posted by BrianTubbs:


Well, I think there are two important aspects of the Presidency. One is popular support and maintaining the dignity befitting the office, George Washington wins in this repect, hands down.

The other is working with Congress to set policy and lead the nation ideologically. In this respect Thomas Jefferson was arguably the best, although world events as Napoleon led France away from his radical republican ideals somewhat tarnished his popularity, and and meeting international dignitaries in his bathrobe somewhat undermined his dignity although it punctuated his ideals as a first among equals even as President. The paradigm Jefferson put in place for the federal government lasted until the Civil War virtually unchanged, and as a residually important ideology until the Great Depression. The Jeffersonian/Madisonian Federal Republic is the government of America's rise to greatness.

-- posted by JohnCrandall


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