Last Word: Test Wednesday

FrontPage: Who was the greatest president? Why?

"Today in Washington, President Obama met with leaders of the American Indian tribes and they honored the president by giving him his own Indian name: 'Running Deficit.'" –Jay Leno

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"McDonald's just announced that it's bringing back the McRib later this month. Or, as the Mayans put it, 'Hey, we tried to warn you.'" –Jimmy Fallon

"Barbara Walters has released part of her 'Most Fascinating People' list. This year Hillary Clinton and Honey Boo Boo are both on it. That's right. The woman who may soon be president – and Hillary Clinton." –Jimmy Fallon

Presidential Greatness

A Question of Style

Who were the all-time greatest Presidents?

President’s Name Rank

*Bill Clinton15

*Ronald Reagan10

Harry S. Truman 5 Theodore Roosevelt 4 Franklin D. Roosevelt

3 George Washington 2 Abraham Lincoln 1Source: C-SPAN historian survey

Who were the worst presidents in American history?

President’s Name Rank

Warren G. Harding38

William Henry Harrison 39

Franklin Pierce40

Andrew Johnson41

James Buchanan42

Categories used in the C-SPAN survey

Public Persuasion Moral Authority Relations with Congress Performance Within Context of Times Crisis Leadership International Relations Vision/Setting An Agenda Economic Management Administrative Skills Pursued Equal Justice For All

The man and the moment….

“…it is of course necessary to recognize that the man and the era, or events, must meet if true greatness is even to be

possible. It is self-evident that Washington, Lincoln and FDR all faced enormous challenges. To succeed was to triumph, to fail

was to be politically inept.  

It would be probably true to suggest that one or more ‘average’ presidents might have emerged in ‘great’ or ‘near great’

ranking had his era furnished him with dynamic challenges or exceptional opportunities…

 In ranking great presidents, one is compelled to keep in mind the

old cliché of politics, ‘The man and the moment have met.”

C-SPAN Presidential Historian Survey

What makes a president great ?

3 different factors:› Presidential Style – how they view (and

use) their power, and their management perspective

› Leadership Qualities – you either have them or you don’t…

› **Opportunity – are you feeling lucky, punk?

Presidential Style – Under the control of the president

**A president’s style is determined by his views on…

Power Management

Views of Presidential PowerUnder the control of the president Strict Constructionist (Hoover)

The belief that the Constitution provides only a limited amount of power to a president

Considered a weak view of power

Vs.

Loose Constructionist (FDR) Belief that the President should stretch the powers

of the presidency in order to meet the needs of the nation

Considered a strong view of power

Managing the PresidencyUnder the control of the president

“Detail- oriented (Jimmy Carter)› Involved in most small details of policy

(micromanager);

vs.

“Big - Picture” (Reagan)› Avoid getting involved in the small details of

policy; Rely on advisors and make “big decisions”

Leadership Qualities*Possessing/lacking these

qualities can contribute to success /failure.

Understanding the public

Ability to communicate Sense of timing Openness to new

ideas Ability to compromise Political courage

Opportunity How do they

handle events during their presidency?› Not under the

control of the president

**Wars, depression, inflation, economic boom, terrorism, etc.