Posted on Sep 11, 2016

Who was the greatest President in U.S. history?

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This is a topic that can be debated forever but I would like to know who, in your opinion, is the greatest President in the history of the United States. Who was the worst?

*EDIT* Since the consensus seems to be George Washington, my follow up question is how you think he would deal with the globalized world today?

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American History

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Responses: 15

CPT Jack Durish

Posted >1 y ago

I don't think we'll ever know. Greatness isn't revealed unless tested. Neither is baseness. Thus we may have had other great presidents and really poor ones who simply were never challenged. However, I'd say that the most important attribute among those who rose to their challenges was honesty. Think about it. George Washington couldn't tell a lie. Honest Abe Lincoln. There were others. Harry Truman was honest enough to refuse to "sell the President" even though he was financially impoverished when he left office. Ronald Reagan told us the truth: Don't expect government to fix things for you, they are the problem, and We the People proceeded to fix things. That's why I see Hillary as the worst of candidates. Trump may be wrong about a lot of things, but I haven't seen him intentionally lie (despite what his opposition may claim). Hillary is the greatest liar I have ever met or seen in politics.

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SSG (Join to see)

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It blows my mind how she is still allowed to run for the Presidency. Absolutely boggles me. She is a criminal. She obviously lied under oath!!!! And they REFUSED to prosecute her after a meeting with Bill. It's insane. The level of corruption is ridiculous.

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CPT (Join to see)

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I think you present a good point. It is tough to determine greatness without the presence of external pressures. Most lists have George Washington, Abe Lincoln, and FDR at the top. Coolidge and Eisenhower usually get the boot because they are lesser known since they led before or after major historical events, usually during periods of calm. But then consider Eisenhower as a General and it is difficult to distinguish great president from great leader. I always enjoy these conversations for this reason. "Great" men have led from the office many times in our nations history.

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ENS (Join to see)

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This is one of the hardest questions to answer. I'll say George Washington. He was a leader and probably didn't go around telling people what they wanted to hear!

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SSG (Join to see)

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Any thought of Lincoln, Roosevelt, Truman, Reagan?
I already know why I wouldn't pick them just wonder where you stand on them
MCPO Roger Collins

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MCPO Roger Collins

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SSG (Join to see) - Lincoln saved the Republic, but at a terrible cost. FDR would have become a benevolent Dictator had he not died. But a good wartime president. Truman, little guy that made one good decision that ended the war with Japan. Reagan would be my second choice for many reasons.

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ENS (Join to see)

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MCPO Roger Collins - Mine as well. I made the same comment in another response below.

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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter

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Teddy Roosevelt was the only president to ever to ever receive the Congressional Medal of Honor and certainly had no trouble making decisions once He was the president either. Not sure He was the greatest ever but He was way up there He sure made His mark. No one had to guess what He though He wasn't bashful about saying it.

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