The Presidents: #43 (or 42) to #1

In honor of the election of a new president, the 200th Anniversary of Abe Lincoln's birth, and this CSPAN historian survey, I have decided to share my opinion of the 42 men who have held the office before President Obama.

Like every type of list, this is not static. Ten years ago, my list would have looked different than it does now, and I'm sure the list will be different in another ten years. That being said, I can't see the top or the bottom of the list moving much.

With the exception of today, I'll be posting one President at a time, giving them a grade, and writing my thoughts on their presidency. Some will have more written about them than others. This is especially true for the very bad and the very good.

So sit back, eat some popcorn, and let's delve into the realm of this most exclusive American club.



#42 William Henry Harrison (1741)
Grade: Incomplete



#42 James Garfield (1781)
Grade: Incomplete

Presidents Harrison and Garfield are first up on the list not because of anything they did in their Administrations. The reason they are last is because they were barely in office long enough to be judged accurately. I don't have much to say about either of these men, other than that old men shouldn't give long speeches in bad weather, and that you should always be wary of crazy men wanting a patronage job.