Who was America's greatest President, between Washington and current, and defend your position?
440279
There is little doubt that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was our country's greatest and most well liked president.  He was elected mostly in landslides for FOUR terms, because he was against big business and for the "little man" at a time when our country really needed a hero.  He is the reason that a president can only serve two terms, because the conservatives were completely undone by a better philosophy!  He created more jobs per capita than any other president.  He created the New Deal, which enabled millions of people to capitalize on the nation's wealth, instead of simply the wealthy, whose attitude was, "screw you, I got mine!".  He was the first man to suggest and implement a highway system in this country, thereby creating more jobs.  He did the most work, he was the most admired, he brought pride back into people's lives after the Great Depression by allowing them to work through the creation of the Welfare system (before the conservatives screwed THAT up as well!).  There will never be another more beloved president!\nSecond edit:  You've gotta be kidding, sihatton!  Ronald Reagan created this country's biggest deficits until our current moron, er, I mean president!  Reaganomics was the beginning of the end of this nation staying solvent, until Bill Clinton came along!  And then Reagan II, the current Bush, the low-IQ imbecile came along to continue Reagan's failed policies!  How can you even suggest that piece of garbage, Reagan!!\nHey nunz7777, wake up!  Someone just stole your last brain cell!  Isn't it just like a conservative douchebag to take credit for Bill Clinton's great work?!!  What a brainless, bloodless freak!!
1132249
George Washington or George Patton.
402351
jimmy carter.\nhe is well known for being the most ineffectual president in american history... and this is because he put the thoughts and concerns of common people before those of the wealthy beaurocrats in washington.  even today, he selflessly serves the community and reaches out to those in need.\n\nfurthermore, the people who say george w bush are hilarious... am i the only person who remembers him giving that speech about ten years ago saying that the quickest way to the oval office is through christianity?  it's such a front... it's sickening.
717007
Obama. He has the charisma to unite the nation which is really what we need right now. Also, the "inexperience" should not be an issue. Look at the John F Kennedy. He had one term in the Senate before he was elected and everyone loved him (granted, his assassination was quite unfortunate, I think he could have done so much more with a second term.) Another inexperienced president was Lincoln, I don't think anyone can effectively argue that he was not a good president. Obama's short time in Washington means that he has had less time to be exposed to the corruption that is so common there.
222540
This is supremely contentious question. \n\nIn terms of American leaders, the conscensus is that George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt were the greatest Presidents.\n\nIn terms of modern statesmen, Nelson Mandela, Winston Churhcill rank highly. In a sense, Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin were great leaders as well, even if many of their actions were morally reprehensible.\n\nIn the middle ages and classical times, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Saladin, Suleiman the Magnificent, Elizabeth I of England, Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia must all count as great leaders.
519058
George Washington, because he set us on a path to greatness.
964
1. George\n2. Washington\n3. Bush\n4. Jr.
664373
George Washington led part of the American military in the battles of the Revolutionary War. In peacetime, he was a lawyer.
211454
George Washington. He defined the Presidency and was the first (and so far only) military revolution leader to voluntarily limit his power to less than what he was offered.
423824
Washington and Lincoln.
644231
Pierre Trudau would declare George W. Bush to be the greatest living American.  And he would be correct.
61207
This is kind of a lopp sided question as it is always easier to complain about whatever we currently have.  However in this case the answer would be George W. Bush.  I have read some of the answers that you have gotten and some are based on complete misconceptions.  Yes our economy was better under the Clinton Administration, however that was due to the fact that the things that Reagan did for the economy were finally bearing fruit.  By the end of the Clinton years we were back into recession that plagued the early Bush Administration.  Clinton campaigned in 1992 promising National Health Insurance, however in his 8 years as President was not even able to get it to the floor of Congress.  Clinton had Congress's approval for the same reasons as Bush did in 1998 to go to war with Iraq, yet he never followed through with it.  If we blame Bush for making mistakes in his reasons for going to war with Iraq, Congress and the President made the same mistake in 1998.  What seems to be a common thing for both the American Public as well as our Politicians is a short attention span and a short memory.  In retrospect most Americans now think of Nixon as being a good President as well as a great statesman, yet in 1974 he was the most hated man in history moving Hitler to number 2 for the first time in over thirty years.
33664
Here's an odd answer:  For recent times I would say Reagan, Clinton, and our current president Bush.\n\nFor first two for communications, and the current for raw guts.
508490
Best or 2nd best.  Lincoln or Reagan.\n\nBTW, Answerman is an asshole.
102377
I'd have to say Theodore.  He launched the US into the world power that we are today.  Franklin got us thru the depression, but it took World War 2 to get us OUT of the depression.
510917
Probably George Washington because he was the first president and started it all.
1139704
The Dubya!\n\nThat's George "W" Bush for all of you who don't speak stupid!  I learned that one from the president, himself!