Your favorite President or Politician and why?

[Drew Dowdell]

Name your favorite President or political figure. Doesn't have to be for political reasons.

Me? My favorite President is Andrew Jackson.

Reasons:

Kicked the snot out of a British army, 50% larger than his own, after the truce was agreed on, forcing the British to abide by it.

He was the target of the first assassination attempt against a U.S. President. An insane, out of work house painter blamed Jackson for his perpetual unemployment. He followed Jackson to the capital rotunda and fired two pistols at Jackson. Both pistols fortunately misfired. Jackson then beat the man with his cane until his aids restrained him.

Jackson fought 13 duels, many nominally over his wife's honor. Charles Dickinson, the only man Jackson ever killed in a duel, had been goaded into angering Jackson by Jackson's political opponents. In the duel, fought over a horse-racing debt and an insult to his wife on May 30, 1806, Dickinson shot Jackson in the ribs before Jackson returned the fatal shot; Jackson actually allowed Dickinson to shoot first, knowing him to be an excellent shot, and as his opponent reloaded, Jackson shot, even as the bullet lodged itself in his chest. The bullet that struck Jackson was so close to his heart that it could never be safely removed. Jackson had been wounded so frequently in duels that it was said he "rattled like a bag of marbles." At times he would cough up blood, and he experienced considerable pain from his wounds for the rest of his life.

[Croc]

This is a tough one...I honestly can't pick 1. It's between FDR and Eisenhower, both for similar reasons: national infrastructure. Eisenhower spearheaded freeway development, and FDR made all those wonderful New Deal programs that built a lot of American infrastructure, including some beautiful pieces of civil engineering.

[Oracle of Delphi]

Ronald Wilson Reagan - 40th President of the United States (1981–1989). His polices brought an end to the Cold War, which allowed for German Reunification on October 3, 1990, when the five re-established states of the German Democratic Republic (DDR / East Germany) joined the Federal Republic of Germany (BRD / West Germany), and Berlin was united into a single city-state. The start of the latter reunification process is commonly referred to as die Wende (The Turning Point). For this alone, he is my favorite President and always will be. Edited September 15, 2008 by Pontiac Custom-S

[Satty]

A toughie, FDR would get my vote for best president.

My favorite politician is another story. Richard J Daley, the Democratic mayor of Chicago for 21+ years. I'm not going to defend his racial policies, god knows he held the Equal Rights movement back, but he did a lot of good in other areas. Building up downtown, specifically. Also, the man knew how to rig an election using every dirty trick possible, he played a part in JFK getting elected.

[loki]

in spite of saying all the (good) ones in the first ~40 years of this country. i could say Davy Crockett. served TN, was an avid "frontiers-man", and then fought mexico at the alamo. he's like a hero that isn't as famous as a president.

[Camino LS6]

Tough call.

I have to go back to the beginning for sure.

Jefferson and Franklin are in the running.

Teddy Roosevelt comes to mind as well.

And Lincoln.

I'm just not ready to pick a favorite.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Lester B. Pearson

a Canadian statesman, diplomat and politician who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957. He was also the fourteenth Prime Minister of Canada from April 22, 1963, until April 20, 1968, as the head of two back-to-back minority governments following elections in 1963 and 1965.

During his time as Prime Minister, Pearson's minority government introduced universal health care, student loans, the Canada Pension Plan, the Order of Canada, and the current Canadian flag. During his tenure, Prime Minister Pearson also convened the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. With these accomplishments, together with his groundbreaking work at the United Nations, and in international diplomacy, Pearson is generally considered among the most influential people of the 20th century.

In 1957, for his role in defusing the Suez Crisis through the United Nations, Pearson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The selection committee claimed that Pearson had "saved the world." The United Nations Emergency Force was Pearson's creation, and he is considered the father of the modern concept of peacekeeping. His Nobel medal is on permanent display in the front lobby of the Lester B. Pearson Building, the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Ottawa.

Pearson never had a majority in the Canadian House of Commons, but he nevertheless managed to bring in many of Canada's major social programs, including universal health care, the Canada Pension Plan and Canada Student Loans, and established a new national flag, the Maple Leaf. His legislation included instituting the 40-hour work week, two weeks vacation time and a new minimum wage. Pearson signed the Canada-United States Automotive Agreement (or Auto Pact) in January 1965, and unemployment fell to its lowest rate in over a decade.

While in office, Pearson resisted U.S. pressure to enter the Vietnam War. Pearson spoke at Temple University in Philadelphia on April 2, 1965, while visiting the United States, and voiced his support for a negotiated settlement to the Vietnam War. When he visited U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson the next day, Johnson (supposedly) grabbed Pearson by the lapels and shouted, "You pissed on my rug." Pearson later recounted that the meeting was acrimonious, but insisted the two parted cordially.

Pearson was also remarkable for instituting the world's first race-free immigration system, throwing out previous ones that had discriminated against certain people, such as Jews and the Chinese. His points-based system encouraged immigration to Canada, and a similar system is still in place today.

But if we're talking about the USA Strictly, my pick is Barry Goldwater.

Edited September 15, 2008 by vonVeezelsnider

[Z-06]

Mr. FD Roosevelt for sure he left some real legacy. I think another ones who deserve mention are Mr Eisenhower (his audacious highways system is what propelled US into being a super power) and Johnson like boi said for his chivalry. I do not know about enough about Mr. Washington, Adams and others. For his terseness and witty single liners I like Truman the best no one could smack other on head like he did.

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

Mr. Teddy Roosevelt.

A naturalist and a true american. He served his country, strengthened our global standing, and was committed to serving the public. And the creation of our National Park System.

Edited September 15, 2008 by Teh Ricer Civic!

[capriceman]

this is way to hard

FDR for bringing us out of a depression and starting a great period in time

Truman for having balls and dropping the bomb

Eisenhower for his domestic policy and keeping his affairs out of the headlines.

Bush Sr. Best foreign policy president we will have for along time. He fixed Regan's mess but the credit went to that asshole Clinton. I think as time goes by people will understand that Clinton was the worst thing this country had.

Nixon was also a great president.

Gerald Ford was great but was hated for pardoning Nixon? Still confuses me.

Locally Dennis Archer Best major Detroit has ever/will have.

Edited September 16, 2008 by capriceman

[Intrepidation]

FDR for best president, he was a great man who helped lead our nation in both war and peace.

[trinacriabob]

Thinking a little out of the box, Britain's Winston Churchill is touted as a no-B.S. kind of guy. I like some of his barbed remarks that have been quoted.

But, still, it seems that there are fewer and fewer well-respected politicians with each passing decade....

[SoCalCTS]

FDR of course!

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

You know, everyone always claims FDR as the greatest, but there has been evidence to support the claims that his "new deal" while it worked, when they eased off of it it diminished nearly all the gains. His bank holiday, however, was an excellent idea.

So, in reality, other than provide hope for people, he didn't really improve all that many things until WW2 hit. And i think regardless of who was president, they would have struck back at Japan and the Axis. and the economy would have improved due to... well the war.

So the question boils down to this, since WW2 would have undoubtedly made any president very popular due to the huge expansion of government as the war machine ramps up, would history really have been any different with a different president instead of FDR?

However, i do appreciate what FDR did to try and keep America afloat during the Great Depression, even if i dont completely agree with his methodology. Additionally, he did get us through WW2. I just like playing devils advocate with the above states.

Edited September 17, 2008 by Teh Ricer Civic!

[capriceman]

FDR was more of a dictator than anything he forced his ways or threatened to pack the supreme court with a bunch of his followers. But at times of struggle you need a person that says shut the f@#k up and do this! attitude. But he wasn't the best war time president. he could of stopped pearl harbor, but i cant change history. But no Civic any president couldn't have done it. imagine jimmy Carter in a War time position. Its more he gave people hope and hope is what some people can only dream about.

Mr. Bob!

You are right on both parts.

is that a Buick???

How many leaders do you know today that would put them selves in a war torn area? Very very intelligent man. He kind of is my idol. I still don't understand why the British voted him out though after all he did. He also Stoped G.B. from giveing Hitler more land to prevent war. It started the war but it prevented G.B. from becoming apart of the Nazi empire.

[ZL-1]

Winston Churchill

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

Those crazy brits crack me up.

Hey thanks curchill for somehow managing to stave off Germany. You were the only man who was able to keep his European country safe from Germany.

But uh, the wars over so were voting you out of office.

GEE talk about gratitude.

[gm4life]

Ronald Wilson Reagan.

[SoCalCTS]

FDR was more of a dictator than anything he forced his ways or threatened to pack the supreme court with a bunch of his followers. But at times of struggle you need a person that says shut the f@#k up and do this! attitude. But he wasn't the best war time president. he could of stopped pearl harbor, but i cant change history. But no Civic any president couldn't have done it. imagine jimmy Carter in a War time position. Its more he gave people hope and hope is what some people can only dream about.

The only dictator we have ever had is George W. Bush. BTW, FDR did not pack the supreme court but I will take a packed court over the Patriot Act any day! Look how poorly Republicans handle war... we are about to lose in Iraq for the second time

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

The only dictator we have ever had is George W. Bush. BTW, FDR did not pack the supreme court but I will take a packed court over the Patriot Act any day! Look how poorly Republicans handle war... we are about to lose in Iraq for the second time

Interesting sentiment. If Kerry had won, i'm certain we would have lost. But i believe were on track to fully turn over control to the Iraqi government. I don't know how you define victory, but i would consider that to be a success. Although i suppose you could argue that republicans poorly handled the Vietnam war when Nixon pulled us out of it...

And yes, FDR did try to pack the court. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_packing

In fact, if this had succeeded, we would be likely be living in a Socialistic society rather than a capitalistic one, not terribly unlike what Obama wants.

Edited September 18, 2008 by Teh Ricer Civic!

[capriceman]

Thank you Mr. Civic!

[cletus8269]

Andrew Jackson

If I am not mistaken Andrew Jackson also got the nations debt to the lowest point it has ever been... around $33,000... which was a lot back then but come on hehe thats close to breaking even as this nation will EVAR see.

Ronald Wilson Reagan - 40th President of the United States (1981–1989). His polices brought an end to the Cold War, which allowed for German Reunification on October 3, 1990, when the five re-established states of the German Democratic Republic (DDR / East Germany) joined the Federal Republic of Germany (BRD / West Germany), and Berlin was united into a single city-state. The start of the latter reunification process is commonly referred to as die Wende (The Turning Point). For this alone, he is my favorite President and always will be.

hey, the '84 election speaks for itself hehe

In your face Mondale hehe

[Sixty8panther]

FDR of course!

Hmmm.... There's a lot of conspiracies regarding FDR.

(the whole FDIC thing, Pearl Harbour and what not)

Still he managed to do a lot of good.

We need a NEW-new-deal.

Edited November 14, 2008 by Sixty8panther

[A Horse With No Name]

This is a tough one...I honestly can't pick 1. It's between FDR and Eisenhower, both for similar reasons: national infrastructure. Eisenhower spearheaded freeway development, and FDR made all those wonderful New Deal programs that built a lot of American infrastructure, including some beautiful pieces of civil engineering.

+1

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

...and actually I'm not much of a Reagan Fanboi. To me, Ford was the last decent republican president we ever had.

I like Teddy Roosevelt perhaps the most of US presidents.

Chris

[2005 EquinoxLS]

Reagans policies put my dad out of a job. Bush JR is the worst president we have ever had. BY FAR!!!. Doesnt have half the sense his daddy gave him. Say what we will about Clinton but at least we had an economy when he was in office. Things were going pretty good until Bush Jr came along and ruined it. Along with the then Republican congress.

Edited November 15, 2008 by 2005 EquinoxLS

[Camino LS6]

Just a couple of reactions to later posts than my first in this thread:

- Churchill: Absolutely! I have learned a great deal more about him due to some recent and excellent C-span programming. A complex and diverse personality posessed of courage in the extreme.

- FDR, Reagan, and Truman: Obama should take a page from each one's book - but just one page.

[capriceman]

The only thing i dont like about Churchhill was that he lied about the Lusitania? It did have wartime cargo on it, when they said it was only consumer goods.

[A Horse With No Name]

Just a couple of reactions to later posts than my first in this thread:

- Churchill: Absolutely! I have learned a great deal more about him due to some recent and excellent C-span programming. A complex and diverse personality posessed of courage in the extreme.

- FDR, Reagan, and Truman: Obama should take a page from each one's book - but just one page.

My respect just grew for you with this post...

Chris

[Camino LS6]

Thanks!

[Enzora]

Juan Carlos of Spain. Hard not to love a guy who was chosen by Franco as his successor, but instead worked to reform Spain into a democracy through completely legal means. He's the anti-despot.

Plus, he gets bonus points for telling Hugo Chavez to shut up.

[Oracle of Delphi]

Juan Carlos of Spain. Hard not to love a guy who was chosen by Franco as his successor, but instead worked to reform Spain into a democracy through completely legal means. He's the anti-despot.

Plus, he gets bonus points for telling Hugo Chavez to shut up.

¿Por qué no te callas? - Why don't you shut up? You just have to love Juan Carlos!