***(Editor’s Note: Leading up to Inauguration Day on January 20th, “The Thirsty Quill” is publishing a series entitled “Ranking The Presidents.” There is no ‘exact science’ to these rankings other than personal opinion based on such factors as policy, performance, popularity, perseverance, integrity, and legacy. Aside from those Presidents ranked in the top 25% and the bottom 25%, there is a great deal of ‘wiggle room’ for discretionary placement and movement. These rankings are strictly the personal opinion of the Editor of ‘The Quill,’ and should not be regarded as an academic survey of any type. Debate of these rankings is highly encouraged and appreciated.)*** 

#34: Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)

Great military leaders don’t always make good Presidents. In Grant’s case, they don’t even make decent ones. Following his leadership during the American Civil War, and the miserable failure that was the Andrew Johnson Presidency, Grant served two terms as our Chief Executive from 1869-1877. It is surprising that he was elected twice, considering that most historians and so-called “experts” consistently rank him near the bottom in regard to his effectiveness and success.

Grant was a brilliant military leader. He commanded the respect of his soldiers, and earned the respect of his fellow-countrymen (that is, if you lived north of the Mason-Dixon Line in the latter-half of the 1800s).

Grant’s time in office was marred with numerous scandals. Most of which he responded to with weakness or inaction, even when crimes had been committed by members of his own administration. This was a far-cry from the man who Lincoln had revered as the honorable leader who could help save the Union during the war.

“The Whiskey Ring” resulted in nearly $3 million being defrauded from inside the federal government. Orville Babcock, who happened to be Grant’s secretary, was implicated as a key “insider” who helped carry out the crime. Despite his indictment, Grant ultimately pardoned Babcock, leaving some to question Grant’s integrity…and perhaps, his own involvement. Even worse, Secretary of War William Belknap was ultimately found guilty on charges of bribery and corruption. These were just two examples of the scandalous administration that surrounded Grant…an administration that he helped build by rewarding many of his friends, supporters, and close associates with positions of power and influence.

Despite the progress made regarding Reconstruction in the South under his watch, Grant’s legacy on the battlefield will always be held in higher regard than his time in office. He was far more successful in defeating the enemy than he was in defeating the temptation of corruption in those closest to him. 

Notable Quotations: “Wars produce many stories of fiction, some of which are told until they are believed to be true.”

“My failures have been errors of judgment, not of intent.”

#34: Ulysses S. Grant

#33: John Tyler (1841-1845)

A relative “unknown” in the history of our nation, John Tyler became President when William Henry Harrison died just weeks after his inauguration. But Tyler (the ‘Tyler’ in Harrison’s slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too”) jumped right in, and demanded the same rights and responsibilities of a fully-elected President. There was some confusion on the matter, considering that Harrison had been the first President to die while actually holding office. Ultimately Congress agreed…the American people, however, were not impressed. Tyler would finish Harrison’s term only, failing to secure enough support or popularity to make a legitimate stand for another term as our Chief Executive.

Very little was accomplished by Tyler. He played a critical role in the annexation of Texas and had some slight influence on America’s territorial rights. Yet the majority of his time in office was spent bickering with Congress, constantly vetoing proposed legislation, thus resulting in nearly four years of ineffective government. 

Notable Quotations: The barking of newspapers and the brawling of demagogues can never drive me from my course.”

“The Constitution never designed that the Executive should be a mere cipher. On the contrary, it denies to Congress the right to pass any law without his approval.”

#33: John Tyler

 

#32: Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)

One of the most intriguing administrations belonged to none other than the “Peanut President.” A devoutly religious man, Carter was a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia. Unfortunately, Carter has had greater success in his post-Presidential career than while he was in the Oval Office.

Maybe it was the period in American history in which he governed. Maybe it was the fact that he tried too hard when simplicity and common sense would have been the best remedy. Maybe it was the weight and enormity of the issues at hand. Maybe it was a run of bad luck at the most inopportune time. Or, perhaps, it was foolishness disguised by the veil of “good intentions.”

Whatever it was, it sure was ugly.

I met Jimmy Carter in the spring of 2001. Our brief encounter was nothing more than a handshake, a cordial greeting, and the exchange of pleasantries that two human beings can experience in sharing 30 seconds together. There was nothing ‘deep’ about our brief conversation, but I value it as a special moment in my life, just as I do the time I shook hands with President Clinton in 1993. That moment with Carter took place while I was a chaperone on a school trip to Atlanta. By chance, we just happened to be touring the Carter Library on an afternoon when he was on hand for a function. I have always respected Carter as a former President, and meeting him that day will always mean a great deal to me. However, in evaluating his legacy while in office, I must rank him here at #32.

Carter did have some positive aspects to his Presidency. He connected well with many Americans, especially while campaigning and during the first year or so he was in office. One area of his legacy that will continue to resonate was his attempt to broker peace in the Middle East, especially in regard to Israel and the Arab world. The Camp David Accords are still regarded as important pieces in the unfinished puzzle of peace in that region.

He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1946, so he was no stranger to the Armed Forces or to leadership in general. He worked with the Soviet Union in regard to limiting nuclear weapons at the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). His post-Presidency accolades include the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, and he and his wife continue to be deeply involved in organizations like Habitat For Humanity, as they are both champions for helping those in need. Furthermore, Carter continues to offer his perspective, advice, and experience in regard to many current issues, both here at home and abroad.

Yet, as stated earlier, the majority of Carter’s contributions have come after his time in office. If we were to honestly evaluate his four years as President, we’d be left with very little evidence to support a ranking higher than the low-30’s.

Perhaps Ronald Reagan summarized Carter’s legacy best, when he closed a debate with him in 1980 with this resonating question to Americans, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” America answered with a resounding “no,” bouncing Carter from the White House after one term.

As President from 1976-1980, Carter oversaw an economic slowdown that caused unemployment to skyrocket, inflation to swell, and interest rates to rise to double-digits. There were energy crises and gas shortages as our relationships abroad took a heavy hit. Our military was undercut in the post-Vietnam era, leaving us exposed to international threats at a critical point in the Cold War and during a dramatic rise in radical Middle-Eastern terrorist organizations. Americans were held hostage for 444 days in Iran, and a military attempt to rescue them was an embarrassing failure. Carter signed away the American-made Panama Canal, and made the necessary (but unpopular) decision to boycott the Summer Olympics in Moscow (due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan). 

Notable Quotations: “America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, human rights invented America.”

“The best way to enhance freedom in other lands is to demonstrate here that our democratic system is worthy of emulation.”

“I can get up at nine and be rested, or I can get up at six and be President.”

“My esteem in this country has gone up substantially. It is very nice now when people wave at me…they use all of their fingers.”

#32: Jimmy Carter

PRESIDENTIAL RANKINGS SO FAR: 

#32: Jimmy Carter

#33: John Tyler

#34: Ulysses S. Grant

#35: Millard Fillmore

#36: Franklin Pierce

#37: James Buchanan

#38: Richard Nixon

#39: Bill Clinton

#40: Warren Harding

#41: Andrew Johnson

#42*: James Garfield

#43*: William Henry Harrison