I have written several articles on our Presidents and Vice-Presidents. A list of the links have been provided at the bottom of this article for your convenience. This article will, however address additional Presidents and their places in history.

I started my President Series last year. I have devoted many articles discussing and comparing them. I have even written an article entitled “The Top 5 or 7 Presidents”, where I ranked our best presidents. I have also written a couple articles on our worst presidents. I am sure historians and citizens of the U.S. will argue with me about some of the ratings and rankings. I have read widely on our presidents and have an extensive presidential library with biographies and autobiographies. I have also studied them in context with historical events and have read some revisionist histories. As a result some of my scores have changed. For instance my rantings of both Reagan and Clinton have suffered some due to how their policies have weathered. I have also reduced the score of FDR quite a bite due to his performance in WWII and his relationship with Stalin. Another typically highly rated president Wilson has also take a few hits related to his progressive policies and the effects they had on our educational system. You may say that I am being too harsh to be grading them based on how their policies have affected our history. But owe well, they are historical figures. Presidents like Nixon and Truman and even Ford have fared a little better with my new ranking system. I hope you find it interesting.

I will start with the lowest ranking presidents and work my way up to the highest. In my previous ranking of the best presidents, I had two ties. I have since revised those rankings. There are no longer any ties. They may however, have the same score. In these cases I made my choices based on the period in history that they were in office. For instance were they in a war, or depression. In these cases I gave them the benefit of the doubt and ranked them higher. Finding ranking information on our last three presidents was slightly more difficult. So I won’t have quite as much information them, and the format will be somewhat different.

#46. James Buchanan

– 15th president (Served from: March 4, 1857–March 4, 1861)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 245
— Political persuasion score: 23.9 (#45 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 17.4 (#45 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 30.1 (#45 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 20.5 (#45 out of 46)
— International relations score: 32.1 (#45 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 34.0 (#44 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 28.4 (#45 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 19.7 (#46 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 18.4 (#46 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 20.4 (#46 out of 46)

Randy Score 1.5 out of 5; Ranking level 4 out of 4, IQ 125.9

Though he intended to maintain peace between the pro-slavery South and anti-slavery North, Buchanan did little to prevent the conflict. A few days before he was elected, the Supreme Court passed the Dred Scott decision, denying the federal government power to regulate slavery in U.S. territories and depriving African Americans the rights of citizens. Hopeful that this decision would somehow smooth over the issue of slavery, Buchanan had worked to lobby a fellow Pennsylvanian Supreme Court justice to vote with the Southern majority.

The Supreme Court gave Buchanan a heads up as far as their decision, and it became public that Buchanan supported it—arousing a heated reaction among abolitionists. Congressional Republicans were not happy with Buchanan’s proposed legislation, and did everything they could to hinder his agenda. This set the tone for what would become Buchanan’s unfortunate legacy: his inability to calm the explosive relationship between the North and South that led to the Civil War. This, along with his low marks for crisis leadership are what landed him at the bottom of this list.

Greatest Accomplishment: His actions gave the U.S. more control of the Utah territory

Biggest Mistake: Allowing the South to secede from the Union.

Wealth Rank: Less than $ 0ne million, 37th

#45 Joseph R. Biden

– 46th president (Served from: January 20, 2021–Present)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: N/A
— Political persuasion score: 18.9 (#46 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 14.0 (#46 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 26.0 (#46 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 18.0 (#46 out of 46)
— International relations score: 21.0(#46 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 28.0 (#46 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 35.4 (#41 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 35.0 (#45 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 19.0 (#45 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 21.4 (#45 out of 46)

Randy Score 1.5 out of 5; Ranking level 4 out of 4, IQ N/A

First 100 days

In his first two days as president, Biden signed 17 executive orders, more than most recent presidents did in their first 100 days. By his third day, orders had included rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, ending the state of national emergency at the border with Mexico, directing the government to rejoin the World Health Organization, face mask requirements on federal property, measures to combat hunger in the United States, and revoking permits for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. In his first two weeks in office, Biden signed more executive orders than any other president since Franklin D. Roosevelt had in their first month in office.

On February 4, 2021, the Biden administration announced that the United States was ending its support for the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen. In his first visit to the State Department as president, Biden said “this war has to end” and that the conflict had created a “humanitarian and strategic catastrophe.” On February 25, the Biden administration “struck a site in Syria used by two Iranian-backed militia groups in response to rocket attacks on American forces in the region in the past two weeks.” This marked the first known action by the military under Biden.Biden with his Cabinet, April 2021.

On March 11, the first anniversary of COVID-19 being declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus relief package he proposed and lobbied for that aimed to speed up the United States’ recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession. The package included direct payments to most Americans, an extension of increased unemployment benefits, funds for vaccine distribution and school reopenings, support for small businesses and state and local governments, and expansions of health insurance subsidies and the child tax credit. Biden’s initial proposal included an increase of the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, but after Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough determined that including the increase in a budget reconciliation bill would violate Senate rules, Democrats declined to pursue overruling her and removed the increase from the package.

Also in March, amid a rise in migrants entering the U.S. from Mexico, Biden told migrants, “Don’t come over.” He said that the U.S. was arranging a plan for migrants to “apply for asylum in place”, without leaving their original locations. In the meantime, migrant adults “are being sent back”, Biden said, in reference to the continuation of the Trump administration’s Title 42 policy for quick deportations. Biden earlier announced that his administration would not deport unaccompanied migrant children; the rise in arrivals of such children exceeded the capacity of facilities meant to shelter them (before they were sent to sponsors), leading the Biden administration in March to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help manage these children.

On April 14, Biden announced that the United States would delay the withdrawal of all troops from the war in Afghanistan until September 11, signalling an end to the country’s direct military involvement in Afghanistan after nearly 20 years. In February 2020, the Trump administration had made a deal with the Taliban to completely withdraw U.S. forces by May 1, 2021. According to The Wall Street Journal, Biden overruled his top military commanders (Generals Frank McKenzie, Austin Scott Miller, and Mark Milley), who proposed retaining an American force of 2,500 (as it was at the time) to ensure Afghan security while renegotiating a peace agreement with the Taliban. Biden’s decision was met with a wide range of reactions, from support and relief to trepidation at the possible collapse of the Afghan government without American support.

On April 22–23, Biden held an international climate summit at which he announced that the U.S. would cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50%–52% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. Other countries also increased their pledges. If the pledges made at the summit are met, they will cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 2.6–3.7 GtCO
2e by 2030.

On April 28, the eve of his 100th day in office, Biden delivered his first address to a joint session of Congress, in which he highlighted the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and addressed withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, the murder of George Floyd, and the storming of the U.S. Capitol while urging Congress to pass comprehensive immigration, gun, and health care reform.

According to some analysts, such as Alexander Nazaryan, Biden broke with both Obama and Trump by spending more and by withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Nazaryan writes that Biden’s approach “has been marked by an obvious rejection of the daily chaos of the Trump years but also, more subtly, by a no-less-decisive rejection of Obama’s proceduralism. His aggressive approach to governing has put Republicans on the back foot, while delighting progressives who didn’t think that the 78-year-old former Delaware senator had a wholly original act in the works”

Greatest Accomplishment: Bringing troops back from Afghanistan

Biggest Mistake: Forced Vaccine Mandate

Wealth Rank: $8 million, 25th

#44. Jimmy Carter

– 39th president (Served from: Jan. 20, 1977–Jan. 20, 1981)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 506
— Political persuasion score: 42.5 (#37 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 40.0 (#39 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 41.5 (#35 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 67.1 (#16 out of 46)
— International relations score: 49.4 (#34 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 49.1 (#33 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 44.2 (#35 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 50.8 (#24 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 75.1 (#7 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 46.9 (#31 out of 46)

Randy Score 21.8 out of 5, Ranking level 4 out of 4, IQ 145.1

As Gerald Ford’s successor, Jimmy Carter fought to remedy the faltering economy, succeeding in creating jobs and lessening the budget deficit, but faced a small recession in lowering inflation. He fixed the energy shortage, bolstered the national park system, created the Department of Education, improved Social Security and brought on women, African Americans, and Hispanic people into government roles.

Internationally he facilitated an amicable relationship between Israel and Egypt, and negotiated the second round of the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty (SALT) with the Soviet Union. Though Carter rated highly for the pursuit of equal justice as seen through his domestic achievements and employment of minorities, he fell short in his crisis leadership skills; his SALT II negotiation ultimately caused the Iran hostage crisis. He also gave up the Panama Canal.

Greatest Accomplishment: Deregulation of several Industries, including the Airline Deregulation ct, Motor Carrier Act, Staggers Rail Act, Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act.

Biggest Mistake: Iran Hostage Crisis

Wealth Rank: $8 million, 26th

#43. Andrew Johnson

– 17th president (Served from: April 15, 1865–March 4, 1869)
– Political party: National Union
– Overall C-SPAN score: 275
— Political persuasion score: 24.9 (#44 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 25.3 (#44 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 38.0 (#40 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 24.3 (#44 out of 46)
— International relations score: 40.1 (#42out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 28.5 (#45 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 17.1 (#46 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 26.2 (#44 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 24.5 (#43 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 26.3 (#44 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.0 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ125.6

Johnson took office upon the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. His main presidential task was to reconstruct former Confederate states while Congress was not in session. While Johnson re-established many Southern states and slavery was on the way to being eradicated, new Southern governments, led by ex-Confederates, quickly passed codes that controlled newly freed black citizens.

Congressional Radical Republicans fought bitterly with Johnson over what they considered was a weak approach to post-war reform—including his vetoes within the Freedmen’s Bureau and Civil Rights bills, and his efforts to convince the South not to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment (which permitted Black people citizenship). Johnson’s actions created so much tension between himself and Congress that the House of Representatives tried to impeach him, but their attempts failed. Johnson’s strained congressional relations put him at 43rd place.

Greatest Accomplishment: Purchase of Alaska from Russia

Biggest Mistake: The Black Codes-restricted black people’s right to own property, conduct business, buy and lease land, and move freely through public spaces. A central element of the Black Codes were vagrancy laws. States criminalized men who were out of work, or who were not working at a job whites recognized.

Wealth Rank: Less than $ 0ne million, 39th

#42. Franklin Pierce

– 14th president (Served from: March 4, 1853–March 4, 1857)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 315
— Political persuasion score: 32.3 (#43 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 26.9 (#43 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 36.6 (#43 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 29.6 (#41 out of 46)
— International relations score: 37.5 (#41 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 36.7 (#41 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 36.6 (#42 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 27.5 (#43 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 22.6 (#44 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 28.8 (#43 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.1 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 134.8

When Franklin Pierce became president, the country was experiencing relative peacefulness. But his desire to expand the nation annoyed Northerners, who thought he was acting in the interest of those who supported slavery. However, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was what was most likely the biggest issue to arise during Pierce’s presidency. The legislation established Kansas and Nebraska into territories, making them available for the building of settlements and railroads, while also reversing the prohibition of slavery in Kansas. Pierce’s support for this bill led Kansas, formerly a free state, to become a battlefield for pro- and anti-slavery citizens. Pierce received his low rating primarily for his failure to pursue equal justice in his neglect to resolve this civil rights issue.

Greatest Accomplishment: Gasden Purchase from Mexico

Biggest Mistake: Kansas Nebraska Act

Wealth Rank: $ two million, 34th

#41. Warren G. Harding

– 29th president (Served from: March 4, 1921–Aug. 2, 1923)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 360
— Political persuasion score: 41.4 (#39 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 32.1 (#42 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 40.6 (#38 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 24.7 (#43 out of 46)
— International relations score: 42.1 (#40 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 32.5 (#43 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 43.8 (#37 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 32.8 (#42 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 37.0 (#36 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 33.2 (#42 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.1 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 124.3

As a Republican president, Warren G. Harding cut taxes for the wealthy and for corporations, passed high protective tariffs, and restricted immigration. He also signed the Budget and Accounting Act, which integrated the federal budget system, and called for the General Accounting Office to analyze federal expenses.

Harding’s presidency was also marred by scandal, particularly the Teapot Dome issue, in which Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall made a secret deal that allowed oil companies to tap the Teapot Dome oil reserve in Wyoming in exchange for monetary compensation, as well as other embezzlement-related scandals. However, Harding himself was never found to be tied to any of these dealings. It was Harding’s administrative skills that were most likely responsible for his ranking, as he hired untrustworthy officials who corrupted the executive branch.

Greatest Accomplishment: Budget and Accounting Act of 1921–was the first formal budgeting process which put the president in charge f the federal budget.

Biggest Mistake: The Emergency Quota Act which restricted immigrantion from Eastern and Southern Europe. The Fordney-McCumber Tariff and the Revenue Act of 1922

Wealth Rank: Less than $ 0ne million, 35th

#40. John Tyler

– 10th president (Served from: April 4, 1841–March 4, 1845)
– Political party: Independent
– Overall C-SPAN score: 372
— Political persuasion score: 36.8 (#41 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 40.1 (#40 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 37.7 (#42 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 34.7 (#40 out of 46)
— International relations score: 50.9 (#31 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 40.6 (#42 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 31.0 (#44 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 37.5 (#40 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 24.1 (#42 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 38.9 (#39 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.5 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 136.2

John Tyler was the first vice president to assume the presidency because of the death of his forerunner. In fact, he was nicknamed “His Accidency.” As he ran for office on the same ticket as William Henry Harrison, the Whig Party viewed him as representative of the common man, one who fought against the American Indians along with Harrison. Though he maintained Harrison’s Cabinet, he was against much of the Whigs’ legislative program, which led the party to disown and attempt to impeach him.

Their efforts failed, and Tyler continued to carry out his agenda—which included legislation that allowed a citizen to purchase 160 acres of public land, solving a boundary conflict between the U.S. and British North American colonies, and annexing Texas, which joined the Union later the same year. Tyler placed 40th because of his failed pursuit of equal justice; he was later elected to the Confederate House of Representatives.

Greatest Accomplishment: Annexation of Texas

Biggest Mistake: Refusal to re-establish the national bank

Wealth Rank: $57 million, 11th

#39 Franklin D. Roosevelt

– 32nd president (Served from: March 4, 1933–April 12, 1945)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 855
— Political persuasion score: 96.8 (#1 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 94.1 (#3 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 43 (#40 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 33 (#44 out of 46)
— International relations score:  89.7 (#1 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 79.1 (#3 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 80.1 (#3 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score:85.7 (#8 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 55 (#35 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 40 (#35 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.5 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 139.6

Over the course of his three terms in office, FDR is most famous for instituting the New Deal to combat the effects of the Depression, and leading the country through WWII—no easy feats by any means. He famously said “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” as part of his Fireside Chats—radio broadcasts to comfort the public during the Depression. He formed the New Deal Coalition, which was instrumental in reorienting American politics toward democratic tenets and establishing American Liberalism. FDR takes the third slot because of his political persuasion—he reassured the country during its worst economic crisis—and for international relations, as he guided the country through a major war. And he accomplished all of this while combating polio.

There will people who disagree with this rating. This is actually part of a three way change to my original rating an posting. I have made this change due more intensive research on the matter. FDR was originally rated at 13th and fell all the way to 39th due to an utter lack of failure in correcting our economy during the great depression. He doubled our deficit with three failed New Deals. He validated his corrupt family and assisted them in gaining wealth. He also sold out Europe to Stalin. The only winner of the European theater war was the USSR. I will discuss this more completely in a separate article.

Greatest Accomplishment: Social Security Act of 1935

Biggest Mistake: Intenment Camps–125,00 Japanese-Americans held till the end of the war in camps.

Wealth Rank: $66 million, 10th

#38. Barack Obama

– 44th president (Served from: Jan. 20, 2009–Jan. 20, 2017)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 500
— Political persuasion score: 77.9 (#30 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 65.4 (#34 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 69.6 (#44 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 77.5 (#35 out of 46)
— International relations score: 55.1 (#44 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 61.3 (#39 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 37.8 (#43 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 73.3 (#18 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 83.2 (#41 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 67.5 (#30 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.5 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 140

Barack Obama was the first African American man to serve as president of the U.S. During his campaign and in his time in office, he vowed to bring about positive change. He set out to improve American race relations, but several instances of police officers arresting and killing Black people occurred under his administration, as well as race-related protests Obama helped to get the economy in better shape in the wake of the 2008 recession, and generally had positive relationships with foreign countries. He passed the Affordable Care Act, retooled No Child Left Behind, and overturned the Defense of Marriage Act, legalizing gay marriage nationwide. The president has been criticized for a number of matters throughout his time in the White House, including failing to pass comprehensive immigration reform. He ranked 25th for his pursuit of equal justice and moral authority, considering he instituted nationwide health care and fought for minority rights.

Greatest Accomplishment: Affordable Care Act ie “Obama Care”

Biggest Mistake: Expand use of armed drones

Wealth Rank: $40million, 12th

#37. William Henry Harrison

– 9th president (Served from: March 4, 1841–April 4, 1841)
– Political party: Whig
– Overall C-SPAN score: 383
— Political persuasion score: 47.6 (#31 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 32.7 (#41 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 37.8 (#41 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 46.9 (#34 out of 46)
— International relations score: 34.3 (#43 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 34.5 (#38 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 40.5 (#40 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 40.4 (#39 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 31.4 (#40 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 37.1 (#41 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.6 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 132.1

William Henry Harrison passed away just 32 days into his presidency, so his accomplishments are limited. Leading up to his time in office, he served as governor of the Indiana territory, where he negotiated the U.S. acquisition of land with American Indian tribes. Negotiations were rocky, which led to war with the Indian confederacy—in which Harrison defeated Shawnee leader Tecumseh in the battle on the Tippecanoe River.

Harrison served as commander of the Northwest army in the War of 1812. From there, the Whig Party nominated him in the 1840 election. He died of pneumonia after delivering an extremely long inaugural address, during which he did not wear a coat or hat. He gained his ranking due to his shoddy crisis leadership skills, according to CBS News, perhaps due in part to the fact that he left it to the states to deal with the issue of slavery, and believed that antislavery movements threatened states’ rights.

Greatest Accomplishment: Picking Daniel Webster as his secretary of state

Biggest Mistake: Drinking the water in Washington D.C.

Wealth Rank: $6 million, 30th

#36. Ulysses S. Grant

– 18th president (Served from: March 4, 1869–March 4, 1877)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 460
— Political persuasion score: 60.9 (#35out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 58.7 (#33 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 47.1 (#34 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 61.4 (#32 out of 46)
— International relations score: 60.4 (#32 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 40.8 (#40 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 54.6 (#32 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 50.7 (#35 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 64.0 (#22 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 66.0 (#26 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.7 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 120

This Civil War general strove to peacefully reunite the North and South after the destruction of the war, and to ensure rights for freed slaves. Ulysses S. Grant saw the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment, which gave Black people the right to vote. But, his administration faced several scandals, including lingering damage from the Credit Mobilier scandal, and a tax fraud engagement involving federal employees. While Grant himself was never under investigation, he did hire corrupt government workers. He received decent marks for political persuasion and moral authority, but ranked lowest for his administrative skills. After further research I have decided to move President Grant up 3 positions. He was instrumental during the end of his last term in preventing a second civil war. I reserve the right to increase his rating even higher when further information comes to light.

Greatest Accomplishment: 15th Amendment, 1865 Compromise and allying himself with African Americans

Biggest Mistake: Comstock Act–The statute defined contraceptives as obscene and illicit, making it a federal offense to disseminate birth control through the mail or across state lines. It essentially criminalized “obscene” materials. 

Wealth Rank: Less than $ 0ne million, 40th

#35. Millard Fillmore

– 13th president (Served from: July 9, 1850–March 4, 1853)
– Political party: Whig
– Overall C-SPAN score: 394
— Political persuasion score: 36.3 (#42 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 42.4 (#37 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 40.8 (#37 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 35.8 (#39 out of 46)
— International relations score: 48.2 (#37 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 42.9 (#37 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 43.1 (#39 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 37.1 (#38 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 28.6 (#39 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 38.4 (#38 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.7 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 136

Millard Fillmore took office upon the death of Zachary Taylor. Leading up to his presidency, Fillmore had been supervising the debate surrounding the Compromise of 1850, made up of five laws that addressed the issue of slavery—California joined the Union as a free state, New Mexico joined as a territory, Washington D.C. saw the abolition of slavery, Utah gained a territorial government, and the Fugitive Slave Act made it so runaway slaves could legally be returned to their owners. Although Fillmore opposed slavery in his personal convictions, he believed the Compromise was a way of preserving the Union, and passed it to the disapproval of Northern states. He comes in 35th because of his pro-slavery legislation convictions.

Greatest Accomplishment: The Perry Expedition which helped to open up reationships with Japan

Biggest Mistake: He supported the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

Wealth Rank: $4 million, 31st

#34. Chester A. Arthur

– 21st president (Served from: Sept. 19, 1881–March 4, 1885)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 446
— Political persuasion score: 41.3 (#38 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 42.8 (#36 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 43.8 (#36 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 44.2 (#38 out of 46)
— International relations score: 47.5 (#39 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 52.3 (#32 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 45.9 (#33 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 41.8 (#37 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 40.8 (#32 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 45.9 (#36 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.75 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 141.5

Chester Arthur assumed the presidency upon the assassination of James Garfield. In office, he signed the Pendleton Civil Service Act into law, which created a bipartisan Civil Service Commission, declared that certain government jobs be appointed based on merit, and prevented government workers from being fired based on political reasons.

Though he initially vetoed the Chinese Exclusion Act, Congress pulled rank and limited the ban on Chinese immigrants to 10 years, at which point Arthur passed the bill. It also excluded immigrants who were paupers, felons, or considered insane. Arthur’s placement at #34 is due mostly to his rating in the pursuit of equal justice—the first major immigration law was passed under his administration, and it excluded people based on race, financial status, and mental health.

Greatest Accomplishment: He strengthened the U.S. Navy

Biggest Mistake: Chinese Exclusion Act

Wealth Rank: Less than $ 0ne million, 42nd

#33. Martin Van Buren

8th president (Served from: March 4, 1837–March 4, 1841)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 450
— Political persuasion score: 46.0 (#32 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 41.1 (#35 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 37.1 (#33 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 46.8 (#35 out of 46)
— International relations score: 51.0 (#28 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 55.1 (#28 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 47.9 (#30 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 41.8 (#36 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 38.9 (#33 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 44.5 (#35 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.8 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 133.4

While Martin Van Buren was serving in the Senate leading up to the 1828 election, he spearheaded an oppositional party to John Quincy Adams: a coalition of Jackson-supporting Republicans that formed the basis of the Democratic party. Shortly into Van Buren’s stint as president, America was hit by financial upheaval, caused in part by the moving of federal funds from the then-obsolete Bank of the United States to state banks.

To remedy this problem, Van Buren planned to create an independent treasury to deal with the funds that were moved to state banks, and to stop government expenses. But his plan sparked drawn-out debate and alienated conservative Democrats. Not surprisingly, Van Buren’s economic management is responsible for his low ranking. His upholding of Jackson’s economic policies did not help the country’s financial turmoil, and he blamed the state of the economy on American and foreign businesses and banks.

Greatest Accomplishment: Aroostook War, (1838–39), bloodless conflict over the disputed boundary between the U.S. state of Maine and the British Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Biggest Mistake: Trail of Tears

Wealth Rank: $29 million, 15th

#32. George W. Bush

– 43rd president (Served from: Jan. 20, 2001–Jan. 20, 2009)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 456
— Political persuasion score: 49.0 (#27 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 52.3 (#27 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 38.2 (#32 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 45.8 (#36 out of 46)
— International relations score: 36.4 (#38 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 45.5 (#36 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 51.9 (#27 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 76.3 (#10 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 47.0 (#21 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 43.3 (#37 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.8 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 124.9

During his first term in the White House, George W. Bush was preoccupied with the September 11th attacks, in response to which he sent U.S. troops into Afghanistan in attempts to disband the Taliban government and by extension, defeat Osama bin Laden. Bush also established the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to combat further terrorist attacks. In 2003, he made the controversial decision to invade Iraq and take down Saddam Hussein, whom he argued had been linked to international terrorist groups and harbored weapons of mass destruction. Hussein was captured, but the U.S. ultimately found that the Iraqi government did not possess nuclear weapons.

Many Americans accused Bush of exaggerating Iraq’s threat to the U.S. to justify invading the country, especially given that his father, President George H.W. Bush, had also waged war against Saddam Hussein during Operation Desert Storm. His low rating in international relations garnered him 32nd place.

Greatest Accomplishment: Keeping the Country United after 9/11

Biggest Mistake: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Wealth Rank: $39 million, 13th

#31. Rutherford B. Hayes

– 19th president (Served from: March 4, 1877–March 4, 1881)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 458
— Political persuasion score: 46.1 (#33 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 45.7 (#32 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 47.6 (#27 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 46.9 (#30 out of 46)
— International relations score: 48.5 (#36 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 49.8 (#31 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 45.8 (#31 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 42.5 (#34 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 38.0 (#34 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 47.0 (#29 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.85 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 133.9

Rutherford Hayes’s main job in office was to reunify the nation at the tail end of the Reconstruction era. In fact, the only states that were still in need of reunification were Louisiana and South Carolina. Hayes planned to remove soldiers fighting for Republican governments in those states if leading Democrats promised to abide by the civil and voting rights of Black and white Republicans. He leaned on healthy local self-government to do the job. But this plan backfired—racism remained prevalent and African Americans didn’t gain voting rights for some time.

Hayes hoped for a “new Republican party” in the South that would attract conservatives and white businessmen. But ultimately, Hayes couldn’t win the support of the entire South. He ranked low because of his pursuit of equal justice—particularly because he did not involve himself enough in securing rights for African Americans and instead left it up to the states.

Greatest Accomplishment: Civil Service Reform, he believed that the positions should be based on meritocracy

Biggest Mistake: The Compromise of 1877 which removed federal troops from the South which essentially eneded reconstruction.

Wealth Rank: $3 million, 33rd

#30. Zachary Taylor

– 12th president (Served from: March 4, 1849–July 9, 1850)
– Political party: Whig
– Overall C-SPAN score: 458
— Political persuasion score: 48.5 (#29 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 47.6 (#31 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 46.1 (#30 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 51.0 (#29 out of 46)
— International relations score: 49.7 (#33 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 45.2 (#35 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 43.3 (#36 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 44.1 (#33 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 36.3 (#38 out of 436
— Performance within context of the times score: 46.5 (#32 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.85 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 125.6

Zachary Taylor, a past military hero, was president in the years leading up to the Civil War, when slavery and its expansion into America’s Western territories caused significant conflict between the North and South. Although he himself owned slaves, Taylor’s nationalism was the basis of his aversion to creating new slave states. His idea to have the Mexican Cession territories immediately become states and leave decisions about slavery to state constitutions led to extensive debate. Taylor is yet another president from the pre-Civil War era who earned low marks in the pursuit of equal justice due to inaction regarding slavery.

Greatest Accomplishment: California admitted to the Union as a free state

Biggest Mistake: Compromise of 1850 which had several parts. They included California being admitted as a free state and the borders of Texas being settled, with areas ceded by Texas becoming the recognized territories of New Mexico and Utah. Its goal was to preserve the Union by appeasing both sides on the slavery issue.

Wealth Rank: $7 million, 28th

#29. Benjamin Harrison

– 23rd president (Served from: March 4, 1889–March 4, 1893)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 462
— Political persuasion score: 43.8 (#34 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 42.5 (#30 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 43.3 (#31 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 47.7 (#28 out of 46)
— International relations score: 51.0 (#30 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 49.3 (#34 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 50.5 (#29 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 43.5 (#32 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 43.8 (#24 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 46.2 (#32 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.9 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 133.9

Leading up to his election, Benjamin Harrison was known for creating the first “front porch” campaigns, in which he gave short talks to visiting delegations in Indianapolis. Harrison’s backing of protective tariffs have been said to have caused the foundation for future economic turmoil because of its impact on consumer prices. He signed the Sherman Antitrust Act, the first legislation that banned certain types of industrial monopolies. 

Harrison did show initiative in terms of foreign affairs—his state department communicated with Britain and Germany to establish terms for an American protectorate in the Samoan Islands, and prevented Britain and Canada from over-hunting Bering Sea seals. His economic and crisis management skills earned him his placement: in the wake of an existing economic depression, his administration set aside a billion dollars in a peacetime economy—a decision with which many Americans disagreed.

Greatest Accomplishment: Sherman Anti-trust Act

Biggest Mistake: Wounded Knee Massacre

Wealth Rank: $6 million, 29th

#28. Woodrow Wilson

– 28th president (Served from: March 4, 1913–March 4, 1921)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 683
— Political persuasion score: 77.8 (#36 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 73.4 (#29 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 69.5 (#29 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 75.7 (#42 out of 46)
— International relations score: 71.3 (#29 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 70.0 (#30 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 55.2 (#28 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 83.0 (#12 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 36.2 (#30 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 71.1 (#28 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.9 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 145.1

Known as the leader of the Progressive Movement, Wilson enacted a variety of reforms during his presidency, including new tax legislation, the prohibition of child labor, unjust business practices, and the confining of railroad workers to an eight-hour workday. In 1917, he proposed to Congress that the U.S. finally enter World War I by declaring war on Germany. The following year, he drew up a proposal to end the war between Germany and the Allied Powers—the Versailles Treaty—but it did not pass the Senate. His agenda-setting ability won him his rank, considering the positive legislation he passed domestically. His plan for the League of Nations failed. He helped to usher in Socialism into the school system.

Greatest Accomplishment: The 14 Points:

1. Open diplomacy without secret treaties
2. Economic free trade on the seas during war and peace
3. Equal trade conditions
4. Decrease armaments among all nations
5. Adjust colonial claims
6. Evacuation of all Central Powers from Russia and allow it to define its own independence
7. Belgium to be evacuated and restored
8. Return of Alsace-Lorraine region and all French territories
9. Readjust Italian borders
10. Austria-Hungary to be provided an opportunity for self-determination
11. Redraw the borders of the Balkan region creating Roumania, Serbia and Montenegro
12. Creation of a Turkish state with guaranteed free trade in the Dardanelles
13. Creation of an independent Polish state
14. Creation of the League of Nations

The Biggest Mistake: Espionage Act set punishments for acts of interference in foreign policy and sought to prevent espionage. It authorized stiff fines and prison terms of up to 20 years for anyone who obstructed the military draft or encouraged “disloyalty.” The Sedition Act made it a crime for American citizens to “print, utter, or publish… any false, scandalous, and malicious writing” about the government.

Wealth Rank: Less than $ 0ne million, 43rd

#27. James A. Garfield

– 20th president (Served from: March 4, 1881–Sept. 19, 1881)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 481
— Political persuasion score: 51.1 (#21 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 44.1 (#28 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 46.1 (#28 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 58.1 (#22 out of 46)
— International relations score: 43.4 (#27 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 48.8 (#29 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 48.6 (#26 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 47.0 (#31 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 46.7 (#23 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 47.3 (#27 out of 46)

Randy Score 2.95 out of 5, Ranking level 3 out of 4, IQ 141.5

James Garfield, a former Civil War general, spent just 200 days in office before meeting an untimely assassination. During the time he did have, he assembled his Cabinet and made political appointments. Just as he was about to set his plan of civil service reform in motion, an embittered attorney who had been denied a political appointment shot Garfield while he was on his way to Williams College, injuring him to the extent that he died less than three months later.

Garfield’s rating for international relations most heavily contributed to his 27th place—the man he appointed secretary of state was preoccupied to the extent that he didn’t have time to deal with Latin American affairs, the issue of Chinese immigration, and other pressing international issues.

Greatest Accomplishment: Continued with Civil Service Reform

Biggest Mistake: By allowing the media to know about his itinerary he made it easy for his assassination

Wealth Rank: Less than $ 0ne million, 41st

#26. Richard Nixon

– 37th president (Served from: Jan. 20, 1969–Aug. 9, 1974)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 486
— Political persuasion score: 49.0 (#28 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 49.1 (#26 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 52.6 (#26 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 23.0 (#37 out of 46)
— International relations score: 72.3 (#13 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 56.5 (#26 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 42.8 (#25 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 50.2 (#28 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 46.6 (#37 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 44.0 (#28 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.0 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 131

Richard Nixon is probably best remembered as having resigned from office as a result of his involvement in the Watergate scandal—when a group of individuals associated with Nixon’s campaign broke into the DNC at the Watergate complex to place listening devices and steal documents. Nixon denied having knowledge of the break-ins, but audiotape revealed that he attempted to cover up the crime.

Facing impeachment, Nixon chose to resign. His actual presidential accomplishments include negotiating weapons control with Russia, making diplomatic headway with Communist China, pulling troops out of Vietnam, and enforcing anti-crime efforts. While his international relations skills were notable, his moral authority ranking is what placed him at #26 on the list.

Greatest Accomplishment: Detente with China and Russia

Biggest Mistake: War on Drugs in the U.S.

Wealth Rank: $17 million, 20th

#25. Calvin Coolidge

– 30th president (Served from: Aug. 2, 1923–March 4, 1929)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 506
— Political persuasion score: 49.8 (#26 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 46.8 (#25 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 52.7 (#18 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 59.1 (#27 out of 46)
— International relations score: 50.9 (#26 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 56.3 (#25 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 55.1 (#22 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 44.9 (#30 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 39.5 (#35 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 51.0 (#26 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.0 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 127.1

“Silent Cal,” as he was nicknamed, took office when Warren Harding passed away halfway through his term. Calvin Coolidge worked to rectify the corruption that occurred under the previous administration, standing for traditionalism and respectability in a decade of substantial social and technological change. But this approach also involved abstaining from passing new legislation and facilitating reform.

He cut taxes and limited government spending, economic policies that ultimately contributed to the 1929 stock market crash. Coolidge may have ranked decently for his congressional relations, but he ranked low for crisis leadership, international relations, agenda-setting, and the pursuit of justice. He did nothing to help struggling farmers, let the U.S. become unhealthily involved in Latin American affairs, limited the entry of European immigrants into the U.S., and kept quiet during controversies like the Scopes Trial.

Greatest Accomplishment: Indian Citizenship Act

Biggest Mistake: Immigration Act of 1924 which restricted immigration from Asia also know as the “Asian Exclusion Act”

Wealth Rank: Less than $ 0ne million, 44th

#24. Gerald Ford

– 38th president (Served from: Aug. 9, 1974–Jan. 20, 1977)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 509
— Political persuasion score: 42.5 (#25 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 53.6 (#24 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 44.9 (#25 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 57.9 (#26 out of 46)
— International relations score: 54.2 (#25 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 52.9 (#24 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 54.9 (#23 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 41.5 (#29 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 53.1 (#18 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 53.8 (#25 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.0 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 127.1

Gerald Ford took office after Nixon resigned, making him the first unelected president in American history. As vice president under Nixon, Ford pardoned Nixon for his crimes relating to the Watergate scandal, a decision that did not sit well with many Americans. Nonetheless, Ford strove to help the American public regain trust in the government in the aftermath of the debacle.

As a Republican, Ford had a difficult relationship with a mostly Democratic Congress, which came into play when he tried and failed to secure military relief to South Vietnam. But, he did sign the Helsinki Accords, lessening strain between Western countries and the Soviet Union. Ford’s greatest strength, according to C-SPAN, was the pursuit of equal justice. His lowest was agenda-setting, evidenced in his pardoning of Nixon and failure to regain public confidence in the wake of Watergate.

Greatest Accomplishment: Privacy Act of 1974

Biggest Mistake: Support of Indonesian Dictator Suharto

Wealth Rank: $8million, 27th

#23. William Howard Taft

– 27th president (Served from: March 4, 1909–March 4, 1913)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 528
— Political persuasion score: 45.1 (#24 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 49.9 (#23 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 55.2 (#24 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 56.7 (#25 out of 46)
— International relations score: 57.8 (#24 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 65.8 (#16 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 52.3 (#24 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 45.9 (#27 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 44.7 (#27 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 54.6 (#24 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.0 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 126.9

During his presidency, William Howard Taft dismantled many trusts and supported amendments calling for federal income taxes and publicly elected senators. However, he angered Progressives by passing the Payne-Aldrich Act in an attempt to lower tariffs, which proved ineffective. He also ticked off both Progressives and Teddy Roosevelt when he made Richard Ballinger secretary of the interior, having rebuffed Roosevelt’s friend Gifford Pinchot.

The situation ultimately caused a divide within the Republican Party—and between Taft and Roosevelt, who were once friends. Nearly a decade after leaving office, President Warren Harding made Taft chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. While Taft’s administrative skills were on point, he received low marks for his political persuasion—his domestic decisions did not jibe with many Americans.

Greatest Accomplishment: strong on anti-trust suits, Dollar Diplomacy with served to increase American influence via economic incentives rather than through the use of force

Biggest Mistake: Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act

Wealth Rank: $3 million, 32nd

#22. Bill Clinton

– 42nd president (Served from: Jan. 20, 1993–Jan. 20, 2001)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 634
— Political persuasion score: 79.6 (#12 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 61.5 (#22 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 78.6 (#20 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 33.2 (#24 out of 46)
— International relations score: 63.8 (#23 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 60.7 (#10 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 55.1 (#8 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 63.1 (#26 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 72.3 (#29 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 65.9 (#10 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.0 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 148.8

The first baby boomer to take office, Clinton passed positive domestic legislation, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Violence Against Women Act, anti-gun violence bills, and educational reform. He signed the North American Free Trade Agreement, achieved a federal budget surplus, and launched airstrikes against Iraq’s nuclear weapons programs.

In his second term, the House of Representatives impeached Clinton due to his sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, but he was ultimately found not guilty. He rates 15th for his economic management—under his presidency, the U.S. experienced low unemployment rates, technology was thriving, and he realized the first federal budget surplus in decades. His pursuit of equal justice also can’t be ignored.

Greatest Accomplishment: Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993

Biggest Mistake: Three Bills: The Violent Crime Control Law Enforcement act of 1994; The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act; The Telecommunications Act 0f 1996

Wealth Rank:$75 million, 9th

#21. George H.W. Bush

– 41st president (Served from: Jan. 20, 1989–Jan. 20, 1993)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 596
— Political persuasion score: 49.8 (#23 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 72.7 (#12 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 52.9 (#23 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 64.0 (#12 out of 46)
— International relations score: 77.3 (#10 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 63.1 (#23 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 56.3 (#21 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 70.1 (#11 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 52.0 (#26 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 62.0 (#12 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.0 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 130.1

When he assumed the presidency in 1988, Bush faced a great deal of political change. The Cold War finally saw its end, the Soviet Union disbanded, and the Berlin Wall fell. Bush did not interfere in these foreign affairs, but had to take point when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. He gained the support of the United Nations, U.S. citizens, and Congress to send 425,000 American soldiers to Iraq in order to liberate Kuwait via warfare. Bush’s decision also gleaned backlash from many Americans, who strongly condemned the resulting damage to Iraq and Kuwait. Nonetheless, he earned his ranking for his approach to international relations.

Greatest Accomplishment: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Biggest Mistake: Operation Just Cause and the pardoning of six convicted criminals from the Inran-Contra Affair

Wealth Rank: $26 million, 17th

#20 #19. Grover Cleveland

– 22nd, 24th president (Served from: March 4, 1885–March 4, 1889; March 4, 1893–March 4, 1897)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 540
— Political persuasion score: 60.0 (#23 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 54.7 (#21 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 50.1 (#23 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 56.6 (#23 out of 46)
— International relations score: 56.1 (#22 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 58.4 (#23 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 53.6 (#21 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 55.6 (#25 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 38.6 (#26 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 56.7 (#23 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.1 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 131

Grover Cleveland was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms, and the only Democrat to win in the stretch of Republican electees that ran from Lincoln in 1860 to Taft in 1913. In office he stayed out of foreign affairs and tried to decrease government spending, relying heavily on his veto power. He lowered protective tariffs, but this move cost him the election of 1888.

During his second term, Cleveland had to deal with the 1893 financial crisis, which didn’t subside until 1896. While he ranked moderately well for his political persuasion (he strengthened the executive branch of government), he rated lowest for his pursuit of equal justice, or lack thereof. He was not a proponent of equal rights for African Americans or women’s voting rights, and felt that Native Americans should assimilate into society.

Greatest Accomplishment: He weakened the power of the President

Biggest Mistake: Dawes Act of 1887–Also known as the General Allotment Act, the law authorized the President to break up reservation land, which was held in common by the members of a tribe, into small allotments to be parceled out to individuals.

Wealth Rank: $28 million, 16th

#18. William McKinley

– 25th president (Served from: March 4, 1897–Sept. 14, 1901)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 627
— Political persuasion score: 67.4 (#16 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 64.8 (#16 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 64.3 (#11 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 63.5 (#21 out of 46)
— International relations score: 65.5 (#17 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 65.4 (#15 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 65.6 (#12 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 63.5 (#21 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 41.4 (#20 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 65.4 (#18 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.3 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 131

As president, William McKinley guided the country through the Spanish-American War with the intention of achieving Cuban independence. The U.S. came away from the conflict having acquired Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam. McKinley’s audacious approach to foreign intervention allowed the U.S. to be more active in international affairs. Domestically, he enacted the Dingley Tariff Act, the highest protective tariff in history, with the intention of building domestic industry. He was shot and killed by an anarchist not long into his second term. He gained the highest ratings for congressional relations—his work with Congress brought about a tariff that led to rich industrial growth.

Greatest Accomplishment: He set the stage for the building of the Panama Canal

Biggest Mistake: Philippine-American War

Wealth Rank: Less than $ 0ne million, 36th

#17. James Madison

– 4th president (Served from: March 4, 1809–March 4, 1817)
– Political party: Democratic-Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 610
— Political persuasion score: 62.3 (#22 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 60.4 (#20 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 57.9 (#22 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 72.9 (#12 out of 46)
— International relations score: 56.9 (#21 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 62.7 (#18 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 60.1 (#17 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 63.4 (#18 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 47.2 (#25 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 66.4 (#21 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.3 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 141.25

James Madison most famously wrote the first drafts of the Constitution and co-wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. A couple of years later, he took point on writing the Bill of Rights. Madison reluctantly led the country through the War of 1812. Though Americans considered the war successful due in part to their victory at the Battle of New Orleans, scholars assert that the relationship between the U.S. and Britain did not really change after the war. Madison’s moral authority won him his rank—he took measures to make sure the government made decisions fairly and acted in the interest of the people.

Greatest Accomplishment: Winning the War of 1812 with the British

Biggest Mistake: while he won the war he should never have allowed it to take place

Wealth Rank: $113 million, 6th

#16. Ronald Reagan

– 40th president (Served from: Jan. 20, 1981–Jan. 20, 1989)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 691
— Political persuasion score: 90.9 (#5 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 74.1 (#8 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 60.9 (#21 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 68.8 (#5 out of 46)
— International relations score: 76.8 (#9 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 47.4 (#22 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 68.9 (#9 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 84.9 (#6 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 44.6 (#19 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 74.1 (#22 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.35 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 130

This actor-turned-politician brought about economic growth, created jobs, sought to reduce government spending, and bolstered national defense forces, but this led to more government debt. Ronald Reagan’s economic policies were known collectively as Reaganomics. He carried out major tax reforms that were believed by many to primarily benefit the wealthy. His ratings in political persuasion, crisis leadership, and increasingly positive views of his economic management earned him ninth on the list. Under Reagan, the U.S. experienced its longest stretch of economic prosperity during a peaceful time, and he made positive steps toward peace as the Cold War approached its end.

Greatest Accomplishment: Winning the Cold War

Biggest Mistake: Reganomics which involved deregulation; tightening the money supply; reducing raxes on income and wealth

Wealth Rank: $14 million, 21st

#15. James K. Polk

– 11th president (Served from: March 4, 1845–March 4, 1849)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 637
— Political persuasion score: 68.8 (#17 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 73.8 (#12 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 63.2 (#16 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 53.2 (#20 out of 46)
— International relations score: 67.5 (#14 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 69.0 (#12 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 64.6 (#14 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 76.6 (#14 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 32.1 (#17 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 68.6 (#15 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.35 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 130.2

This dark horse president was responsible for the acquisition of the Oregon Territory from the British, as well as California and the southwest in the Mexican–American War. Domestically, James Polk lowered tariffs and made improvements to the U.S. banking system. His crisis leadership and his agenda-setting, according to CBS News, earned him his rank—he got the country through war and expanded its geographic area in the process.

Greatest Accomplishment: Acquiring more land than any other president

Biggest mistake: starting the war with Mexico

Wealth Rank: $11 million, 22nd

#14. James Monroe

– 5th president (Served from: March 4, 1817–March 4, 1825)
– Political party: Democratic-Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 646
— Political persuasion score: 64.5 (#19 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 66.1 (#17 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 58.0 (#19 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 66.2 (#15 out of 46)
— International relations score: 79.5 (#10 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 66.4 (#14 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 66.2 (#11 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 65.6 (#15 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 43.5 (#16 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 69.9 (#14 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.4 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 124.1

Although James Monroe billed his presidency as the “Era of Good Feelings,” this promise didn’t exactly hold up. The issue of slavery presented a problem—the Northern states had done away with slavery, but the South still condoned it. The Missouri Compromise let Missouri join the U.S. as a slave state, and Maine to join as a free state. Monroe ran into another issue when he secured the purchase of Florida in 1819—four years of economic troubles known as the Panic of 1819. Most famously, Monroe issued his eponymous doctrine, which warned European countries against colonizing those in the western hemisphere. He ranked highest for his international relations skills, as evidenced by the successful prevention of further Western colonization.

Greatest Accomplishment: Monroe Doctrine

Biggest Mistake: Missouri Compromise

Wealth Rank: $30 million, 14th

#13 Herbert Hoover

– 31st president (Served from: March 4, 1929–March 4, 1933)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 416
— Political persuasion score: 37.0 (#40 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 55 (#20 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 75.7 (#17 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 78.0 (#24 out of 46)
— International relations score: 49.6 (#35 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 64.7 (#17 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 44.9 (#35 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 80 (#17 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 65 (#24 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 36.6 (#40 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.65 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 129.1

Months into Herbert Hoover’s presidency, the infamous stock market crash of 1929 transpired, sparking the Great Depression. Many people lost their jobs and homes, and resorted to living in run-down communities that came to be known as Hoovervilles. Though the actions of previous presidents undoubtedly contributed to the crash, the American people largely blamed Hoover. While he did take some measures to try to stimulate the economy, he believed in limited federal involvement and for relief to be delivered on a local level—he even vetoed bills that would have eased some of the economic woes. It’s no surprise that Hoover’s economic management is at the crux of his 36th place. I have left my original statement here to show that people can be wrong. After doing extensive research I have come to the conclusion that Hoover got a raw deal. He has been much maligned in regards to our economy. He was blocked in every effort by a democratic congress and FDR himself who basically sacrificed the riches of thousands families to further his own agenda. So everything we thought about Hoover was in fact erroneous. I will discuss this change of heart in a separate article. This is why I have moved him up from a dismal rating of #36 all the way to #13.

Greatest Accomplishment: Appointing three Supreme Court Justices: Charles Evans Hughes, Owen Roberts and Bemjamin CArdoza

Biggest Mistake: Great Depression and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act

Wealth Rank: $83 million, 8th

#12. John F. Kennedy

– 35th president (Served from: Jan. 20, 1961–Nov. 22, 1963)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 722
— Political persuasion score: 86.4 (#20 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 79.4 (#7 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 70.7 (#7 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 66.9 (#18 out of 46)
— International relations score: 69.5 (#16 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 63.3 (#21 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 61.3 (#20 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 80.9 (#5 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 71.7 (#8 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 72.5 (#7 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.8 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 150.6

In office JFK orchestrated a CIA-centric attempt to overthrow the Cuban government, which ultimately failed. He took military measures to thwart the Cuban Missile Crisis, which may have led to all-out nuclear war, and he set out to establish his New Frontier plan, which involved tax reform, positive labor and education amendments, and big pushes for civil rights legislation—but it never became fully realized. He gained the highest marks in political persuasion—he fought hard for labor, education, and civil rights. His work in crisis leadership should also be noted, considering he helped decelerate the nuclear arms race.

Greatest Accomplishment: Civi Rights Efforts and the Peace Corps

Biggest Mistake: Bay of Pigs Invasion

Wealth Rank: $10 million, 23rd

#11. Dwight D. Eisenhower

– 34th president (Served from: Jan. 20, 1953–Jan. 20, 1961)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 745
— Political persuasion score: 73.0 (#14 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 82.3 (#9 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 71.5 (#10 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 85.6 (#4 out of 46)
— International relations score score:  81.5 (#19 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 77.0 (#11 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 72.0 (#15 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 64.1 (#16 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 60.7 (#12 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 77.2 (#17 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.8 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 131.9

As a commanding general in the U.S. Army during WWII, Dwight Eisenhower brought his know-how in the area of foreign relations to the presidency. He took measures to lessen the impact of the Cold War, negotiated with the then-Soviet Union in the midst of the nuclear arms race, and facilitated peace at the South Korean border after years of war. Domestically, he continued the New Deal and Fair Deal policies and initiated desegregation in schools and the armed forces. It was his crisis leadership skills that notched him up to fifth place, and he scored highly for moral authority—the basis of his approach to crisis management.

Greatest Accomplishment: Interstae Highway System

Biggest Mistake: Operation Ajax–the first time the Central Intelligence Agency orchestrated a plot to overthrow a democratically elected government.

Wealth Rank: $9 million, 24th

#10. John Adams

– 2nd president (Served from: March 4, 1797–March 4, 1801)
– Political party: Federalist
– Overall C-SPAN score: 604
— Political persuasion score: 50.7 (#18 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 62.8 (#19 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 62.5 (#15 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 70.7 (#17 out of 46)
— International relations score: 70.2 (#20 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 59.9 (#20 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 52.0 (#21 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 57.8 (#22 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 52.6 (#9 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 64.6 (#20 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.8 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 142.5

John Adams quickly became involved in the war between Britain and France upon Washington’s departure from the White House. When he attempted to negotiate a treaty with France, the French foreign minister demanded a bribe, which Adams refused. The ordeal became known as the XYZ Affair and led to Adams’s popularity. That is, until he enacted the Alien and Sedition Acts, which allowed the government to deport threatening aliens and arrest those who disagreed with the government. Adams placed 10th for his moral authority and approach to international affairs—he attempted to resolve the conflict between France and Britain peacefully, and in the end, succeeded.

Greatest Accomplishment: Appointing Supreme Court Justice John Marshal and the Convention of 1800

Biggest Mistake: Alien and Sedition Acts:

Naturalization Act-made it difficult to become a citizen

Alien Friends Act-easier to deport or imprison any foreigners deemed dangerous

Alien Enemies Act-more power to detain aliens during war time

Alien and Sedition Act-illegal to bad mouth the Feeral government

Wealth Rank: $21 million, 19th

#9. John Quincy Adams

– 6th president (Served from: March 4, 1825–March 4, 1829)
– Political party: Democratic-Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 590
— Political persuasion score: 42.7 (#15 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 54.1 (#18 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 58.6 (#14 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 70.1 (#14 out of 46)
— International relations score: 68.5 (#18 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 61.4 (#19 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 44.3 (#19 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 65.5 (#23 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 66.9 (#6 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 57.6 (#11 out of 46)

Randy Score 3.9 out of 5, Ranking level 2 out of 4, IQ 168.75

John Quincy Adams faced congressional backlash during his time in office. Andrew Jackson, opposing presidential candidate to Adams, thought he won the seat unfairly, so Jackson’s congressional supporters gave him grief. Adams proposed the creation of interstate roads and canals, as well as the institution of a national university, but congressional Jacksonians thwarted many of these efforts.

Adams did see the construction of the Erie Canal during his presidency, which facilitated the transportation of grain and whiskey to the east. He served only one term, but did go on to be a member of the House. Adams placed 9th due to his pursuit of equal justice, and by that token, his moral authority; he strove to abolish slavery and provide Native Americans with Western land and was a strong proponent of free speech.

Greatest Accomplishment: infrastructure projects such as the National Road and canals

Biggest Mistake: Tariff of 1828 also know as the “Tariff of Abominations”

Wealth Rank: $23 million, 18th

#8. Harry S. Truman

– 33rd president (Served from: April 12, 1945–Jan. 20, 1953)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 737
— Political persuasion score: 67.8 (#13 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 85.1 (#6 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 68.8 (#13 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 72.8 (#11 out of 46)
— International relations score: 82.6 (#5 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 67.5 (#13 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 57.9 (#18 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 73.0 (#20 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 81.4 (#10 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 80.7 (#9 out of 46)

Randy Score 4.0 out of 5, Ranking level 1 out of 4, IQ 127.6

Harry Truman found himself in the presidential hot seat upon the death of FDR in 1945. He made the decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima at the end of World War II and created programs to expand Social Security, introduce fair employment, and clean up slums, known collectively as the Fair Deal. He called for congressional aid for Turkey and Greece when the Soviet Union threatened to overtake the two countries, otherwise known as the Truman Doctrine. He also attempted to keep violence to a minimum when North Korea attacked South Korea in 1950. It’s no surprise that his marks in crisis leadership and the pursuit of justice for all gleaned him sixth place, considering his approach to domestic and foreign affairs.

Greatest Accomplishment: The Marshall Plan

Bioggest Mistake: The Cold War

Wealth Rank: Less than 0ne million, 45th

#10. Lyndon B. Johnson

– 36th president (Served from: Nov. 22, 1963–Jan. 20, 1969)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 687
— Political persuasion score: 67.5 (#11 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 59.7 (#15 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 63.9 (#12 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 57.8 (#13 out of 46)
— International relations score: 41.5 (#15 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 72.3 (#4 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 83.0 (#1 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 81.7 (#17 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 91.5 (#14 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 68.0 (#8 out of 46)

Randy Score 4.0 out of 5, Ranking level 1 out of 4, IQ 127.8

Lyndon Johnson took office upon the assassination of JFK in 1963. He first carried out the legislation that JFK planned to enact when he died, which included an amended civil rights bill and tax cuts. But he was known best for his Great Society program, which he proposed to Congress in 1965. The program encompassed things like educational aid, improvements in medicine, environmental conservation, the addition of Medicare, crime prevention, and equal voting rights. He also helmed the space program that sent astronauts to the moon in 1969. He ranked highest for his congressional relations and pursuit of equal justice, which were wrapped up in his Great Society program and civil rights legislation.

Greatest Accomplishment: Social Security Amendment of 1965 which created Medicare and Medicaid

Biggest Misteake: Escalation of the Vietnam War

Wealth Rank: $109 million, 7th

#6. George Washington

– 1st president (Served from: April 30, 1789–March 4, 1797)
– Political party: Independent
– Overall C-SPAN score: 868
— Political persuasion score: 91.4 (#4 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 94.1 (#10 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 84.1 (#9 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 97.6 (#1 out of 46)
— International relations score: 87.6 (#12 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 84.7 (#9 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 82.8 (#13 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 93.2 (#2 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 54.4 (#13 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 97.7 (#16 out of 46)

Randy Score 4.0 out of 5, Ranking level 1 out of 4, IQ 132.2

As first president of the U.S., Washington did a stellar job of helping to lay down the foundation of the country. Not only did he serve as commander-in-chief during the Revolutionary War, he established the Cabinet system of governing (although, his Cabinet members had conflicting views), and communicated well with department leaders. But in the midst of all this, Washington had to tackle some problems—some of the states hadn’t yet joined the Union, the French Revolution sparked political turmoil in which Washington became involved, and America’s army was in bad shape.

Washington’s moral authority, economic management and performance within the context of the times earned him a second-place ranking. He staunchly abided by the laws of the constitution, successfully thwarted the Whiskey Rebellion, and navigated the presidency when the country was in its infancy.

Greatest Accomplishment: Established role of President and set the precent for two terms

Biggest Mistake: Failure to call for the end of slavery

Wealth Rank: $587 million, 2nd

#5. Andrew Jackson

– 7th president (Served from: March 4, 1829–March 4, 1837)
– Political party: Democratic
– Overall C-SPAN score: 609
— Political persuasion score: 82.2 (#10 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 73.5 (#14 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 47.6 (#8 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 59.3 (#6 out of 46)
— International relations score: 58.0 (#11 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 56.5 (#5 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 53.7 (#16 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 79.0 (#13 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 31.2 (#10 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 68.1 (#19 out of 46)

Randy Score 4.5 out of 5, Ranking level 1 out of 4, IQ 126.3

Andrew Jackson’s bold personality and tendency to veto congressional decisions sparked two new political parties at the time—Jackson supporters were known as Democrats, and those who opposed him became the Whig Party. The largest issue between the parties arose when Jackson attacked the Second Bank of the United States, and eventually charged it with unjust economic privilege.

Another major issue came about when Jackson opposed the South Carolina legislature when it tried to nullify existing tariffs. He sent armed forces to South Carolina, but they eventually complied, and Jackson got credit for keeping the Union intact in a moment of crisis. He earned his rank due to his powers of political persuasion; his views toward the bank and his general support of states’ rights made him popular among American voters.

Greatest Accomplishment: Payid off National Debt

Biggest Mistake: Indian Removal Act and Hard Money policies

Wealth Rank: $132 million, 5th

#4. Thomas Jefferson

– 3rd president (Served from: March 4, 1801–March 4, 1809)
– Political party: Democratic-Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 727
— Political persuasion score: 82.1 (#9 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 72.4 (#13 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 63.3 (#6 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 78.5 (#10 out of 46)
— International relations score: 71.5 (#8 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 71.8 (#9 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 74.0 (#2 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 87.2 (#7 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 47.8 (#5 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 78.6 (#6 out of 46)

Randy Score 4.5 out of 5, Ranking level 1 out of 4, IQ 153.75

Before Thomas Jefferson’s presidency, political conflict arose between Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, which lead to the formation of two parties—the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, which Jefferson eventually helmed. As president, Jefferson decreased the national debt, sent naval troops to combat Barbary pirates who interfered with American commerce in the Mediterranean and secured the Louisiana territory from Napoleon in 1803, which encompassed 15 current states. Jefferson won a high ranking for his treatment of congressional relations and agenda-setting—he was, after all, the main author of the Declaration of Independence—and had to work closely with Congress to gain the approval of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty.

Greatest Accomplishment: Louisiana Purchase

Biggest Mistake: Embargo Act of 1807 which banned trade with France and England

Wealth Rank: $236 million, 3rd

#3. Donald J. Trump

-45 president (served from January 20, 2017 – January 20,2021

-Political party: Republican

— Political persuasion score: 90.0 (#3 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 75.0 (#11 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 95.0 (#1 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 79.0 (#7 out of 46)
— International relations score: 85.0 (#4 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 65.0 (#8 out of 46)
— Congressional relations score: 68.0 (#11 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 95.0 (#1 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 88.0 (#2 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score85.0 (#5 out of 46)

Randy Score 4.75 out of 5, Ranking level 1 out of 4, IQ 125

Trump announced his candidacy on June 16, 2015. He accepted the Republican nomination in July of 2016. On November 8, 2016, Trump was elected President. He was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017. 

The work of the Trump Administration included reforming the U.S. tax code; renegotiating trade agreements with Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea; expanding the military; defeating the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS); responding to the opioid crisis; improving access to healthcare for veterans; responding to the COVID-19 global pandemic; appointing Federal judges, including the nomination of three U.S. Supreme Court justices; and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. 

In 2019 President Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives for abuse of power by soliciting the interference of Ukraine in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and obstruction of Congress by directing defiance of certain subpoenas issued by the House of Representatives. A trial in the U.S. Senate found the President not guilty of the charges brought against him.

In 2021 President Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives for having incited an insurrection against the government of the United States. A trial in the U.S. Senate found the President not guilty of the charges brought against him.

Greatest Accomplishment: First Step Act–criminal justice reform

Biggest Mistake: alienating large portions of the populace and trusting the wrong people

Wealth Rank: $2.1 Bilion, Richest

#2. Theodore Roosevelt

– 26th president (Served from: Sept. 14, 1901–March 4, 1909)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 807
— Political persuasion score: 92.6 (#2 out of 43)
— Crisis leadership score: 83.5 (#5 out of 43)
— Economic management score: 76.2 (#4 out of 43)
— Moral authority score: 84.1 (#9 out of 43)
— International relations score:  84.4 (#7 out of 43)
— Administrative skills score: 78.8 (#6 out of 43)
— Congressional relations score: 72.0 (#7 out of 43)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 87.6 (#4 out of 43)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 62.8 (#4 out of 43)
— Performance within context of the times score: 85.4 (#4 out of 43)

Randy Score 4.75 out of 5, Ranking level 1 out of 4, IQ 142.75

Theodore Roosevelt entered the presidency due to the assassination of President McKinley. In office he drove the U.S. to take a more active role in world affairs—he facilitated Panama’s secession from Colombia in order to start building the Panama Canal, and won the Nobel Peace Prize for arbitrating the Russo-Japanese War. He was known for his “big stick” approach to foreign policy, in which he would negotiate peacefully, but not hesitate to use military force if need be. He ranked high for his political persuasion—he was known as the leader of the Progressive Movement, which encompassed his Square Deal program—conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection, as well as his belief that the government should do whatever it takes for the good of the people.

Greatest Accomplishment: Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act

Biggest Mistake: The Brownsville Affair of 1906– racial incident that grew out of tensions between whites in Brownsville, Texas, U.S., and Black infantrymen stationed at nearby Fort Brown. About midnight, August 13–14, 1906, rifle shots on a street in Brownsville killed one white man and wounded another.

Wealth Rank: $139 million, 4th

#1. Abraham Lincoln

– 16th president (Served from: March 4, 1861–April 15, 1865)
– Political party: Republican
– Overall C-SPAN score: 907
— Political persuasion score: 88.4 (#6 out of 46)
— Crisis leadership score: 97.8 (#1 out of 46)
— Economic management score: 80.9 (#2 out of 46)
— Moral authority score: 96.2 (#2 out of 46)
— International relations score: 86.4 (#3 out of 46)
— Administrative skills score: 85.6 (#1 out of 43)
— Congressional relations score: 79.5 (#4 out of 46)
— Vision/ability to set an agenda score: 91.6 (#3 out of 46)
— Pursued equal justice for all score: 93.1 (#1 out of 46)
— Performance within context of the times score: 97.1 (#2 out of 46)

Randy Score 5.0 out of 5, Ranking level 1 out of 4, IQ 140

Abraham Lincoln successfully led the country through the Civil War, and paved the way for the abolition of slavery by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. He is perhaps most noted for delivering the Gettysburg Address, which begins with the famous lines, “Four score and seven years ago,” in which he declares that all men are created equal. He died at the hands of John Wilkes Booth in 1865, who shot him during a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C.

Though Lincoln received high marks in all categories of government, historians put him at #1 because of his crisis leadership. He heralded America through the deadliest war in its history while keeping the Union intact.

I have completed My presidential Ranking. You may not agree with a lot of the changes I have made. A lot of new data has been becoming available on various presidents. Some of the things we are learning are serving to cast these individuals into a whole new light. Presidents that have been ostracized are starting to shine a little brighter. Just like now, do you think you can get an unbiased ranking of President Trump? But when you put all of your hatred aside and actually look at his presidency based on accomplishments and the economy and our relationships with the rest of the world you will not be able to deny that he did a pretty good job. At the very least you can look at the polar opposite, Biden and see what shouldn’t be done as a president. My ranking system is quite complete, while it is not perfect, I think it is the most unbiased one to date.

Greatest Accomplishment: kept country together, won the Civil War and freed the slaves

Biggest Mistake: trampled many peoples 1st amendment rights

Wealth Rank: Less than 0ne million, 38th

Resources

stacker.com, “Experts rank the best U.S. presidents of all time,” By Michele Zipklin and Peter Richman; youtube.com, “Mr. Beat.”;

Presidential Series
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/09/27/what-happened-to-vice-president-hannibal-hamlin/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/09/26/president-james-buchanan-the-worst-of-the-worst/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/09/25/was-andrew-johnson-the-worst-president/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/27/was-clinton-a-failure-as-president/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/23/was-the-country-better-off-with-lbj-than-jfk/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/16/how-great-were-our-great-presidents-6-of-6-franklin-delano-roosevelt/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/16/how-great-were-our-great-presidents-5-of-6-theodore-roosevelt/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/16/how-great-were-our-great-presidents-4-of-6-abraham-lincoln/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/16/how-great-were-our-great-presidents-3-of-6-andrew-jackson/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/16/how-great-were-our-great-presidents-2-of-6-thomas-jefferson/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/16/how-great-were-our-great-presidents-1-of-6-george-washington/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/16/was-reagan-a-failure-as-president/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/14/how-bad-was-nixon-as-president/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/08/10/which-assassination-was-the-biggest-loss-to-this-country-jfks-or-rfks/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/06/25/lincoln-and-kennedy-lone-assassin-or-conspiracy-part-1-of-2/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/06/25/lincoln-and-kennedy-lone-assassin-or-conspiracy-part-2-of-2/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/10/28/u-s-presidents-who-never-won-a-presidential-election/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/10/29/presidential-sex-scandals/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2020/11/12/how-does-trump-compare-to-lincoln/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2021/02/19/the-top-5-or-7-presidents/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2021/03/27/what-happened-to-the-stock-market-in-the-reagan-presidency/
https://common-sense-in-america.com/2021/09/17/our-46-presidents-how-i-rank-them/