The Complex Legacies of Early U.S. Presidents

So we have a brand new president of the United States, and of course, everyone has their opinion about whether President Trump has been good or bad, will be good and bad. Everyone has their opinion about Biden, Obama, and so on. But what makes someone a good president? What makes someone a bad president?

Obviously, we want our presidents to be moral and ethical, and we want them to be as transparent as possible with the citizens. Sometimes they can't be totally transparent—negotiations, economic policies, and so on. But we want our presidents to have courage without taking too many risks. And, of course, we want the country to grow economically, though that doesn't always happen because of one person.

I saw this list where historians ranked all the presidents from 1 to 47. I want to comment on it and share my take on who I think are the best and worst presidents. Some of my picks might surprise you.

In this episode, James breaks down the rankings of U.S. presidents and offers his unique perspective on who truly deserves a spot in the top 10—and who doesn’t. Looking beyond the conventional wisdom of historians, he examines the impact of leadership styles, key decisions, and constitutional powers to determine which presidents left a lasting, positive impact. From Abraham Lincoln's crisis leadership to the underappreciated successes of James K. Polk and Calvin Coolidge, James challenges popular rankings and provides insights you won't hear elsewhere.

• The key qualities that define a great president beyond just popularity.
• Why Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as the best president—and whether James agrees.
• How Franklin D. Roosevelt’s policies might have extended the Great Depression.
• The surprising president who expanded the U.S. more than anyone else.
• Why Woodrow Wilson might actually be one of the worst presidents in history.

• [01:30] What makes a great president?
• [02:29] The official duties of the presidency.
• [06:54] Historians’ rankings of presidents.
• [07:50] Why James doesn't discuss recent presidents.
• [08:13] Abraham Lincoln’s leadership during crisis.
• [14:16] George Washington: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
• [22:16] Franklin D. Roosevelt—was he overrated?
• [29:23] Harry Truman and the atomic bomb decision.
• [35:29] The controversial legacy of Woodrow Wilson.
• [42:24] The case for Calvin Coolidge.
• [50:22] James K. Polk and America's expansion.

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