***(Editor’s Note: In conjunction with the Inauguration of America’s 44^th President, “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.)***

#19: William Taft (1909-1913)

“Weighing in” at #19 is America’s largest President, William Taft. Yes, he’s the guy who once got stuck in a White House bathtub, ultimately requiring six men to help get him out. Let’s face it, Taft was a big man (weighing in excess of 300 pounds). Yet, his reputation and stature may have been even bigger than his waistline when looking back upon his Presidency.

Like the seat of his pants, Taft had some pretty big shoes to fill by following up the extremely successful Presidency of Teddy Roosevelt. But Taft had quite the reputation of his own, and most Americans were eager to give Teddy’s Secretary of War a shot at extending Roosevelt’s legacy. While his size may fool you, Taft was somewhat active in his daily activities. His obsession with golf put the sport in the national spotlight, and Taft was the first President to throw out a “first pitch” to open the baseball season. Still, he is remembered as having a serious problem with staying awake, often dozing during Cabinet meetings. He also kept a cow in the White House garage, and allowed it to graze on the lawn from time-to-time.

Taft had some immediate success as President, despite only serving one term. He supervised the final stages of construction of the Panama Canal, and presided at a time when New Mexico and Arizona were admitted to the Union. He was a personal favorite of Teddy Roosevelt before losing his trust…and that of the Republican Party. It is said that Roosevelt was so disappointed in Taft’s inability to live up to expectations, that he ultimately left the Republican Party because of him. Evidence supports that theory, as Roosevelt formed the “Bull-Moose Party” and ran against Taft in the Election of 1912. Both men lost to Woodrow Wilson.

Taft was President when the Titanic sank, and the subsequent investigations, safety regulations, and legislation that followed the disaster bore his fingerprints. His wife Nellie had an obsession with Japanese Cherry Trees, and she had thousands planted around the capital city. These trees continue to bloom each spring.

Following his single term, Taft was later named Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He is the only man in American history to hold both respected titles. After his death in 1930, he became the first President to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Notable Quotations: “The President cannot make clouds to rain and cannot make the corn to grow. He cannot make business good. Although, when these things occur, political parties do claim some credit for the good things that have happened in this way.”

“I am afraid I am a constant disappointment to my party. The fact of the matter is, the longer I am President, the less of a party man I seem to become.”

“I’ll be damned if I am not getting tired of this. It seems to be the profession of a President is simply to hear other people talk.”

#19: William Taft

#18: William McKinley (1897-1901)

A Union veteran of the Civil War, McKinley was the Governor of Ohio and a member of the U.S. House before ascending to the Presidency. McKinley was a popular President, winning a second term in the Election of 1900 against William Jennings Bryan (who coincidentally was also his rival in the 1896 Election). However, McKinley was assassinated just a few months after his second inauguration. His sudden death in 1901 opened the door for one of America’s most famous Presidents, McKinley’s ‘Veep’ Teddy Roosevelt.

McKinley had the unfortunate task of trying to maintain American confidence during a controversial war with Spain. He did so successfully, restoring American trust in his leadership despite his constant raising of taxes and tariffs. Yet beyond the rise in the tariffs, McKinley was hailed as a phenomenal leader, especially with the annexation of Hawaii and the acquisition of Puerto Rico and the Philippines. He also secured a successful treaty that paved the way for the Panama Canal (obviously the negotiating, securing, and construction of the Panama Canal was spread across multiple Presidents).

McKinley entered office amid the growing controversy over how to back U.S. currency (the “standard”). He had long favored silver, but later preferred a gold or bimetallism platform. This ‘shift’ helped him defeat Bryan, who also had a significant following. He was a pioneer in regard to future trade and relations with China, and the passage of the Platt Amendment kept America’s hand in Cuba. Perhaps the full extent of McKinley’s Presidency will never be known due to his untimely death. However, there is enough evidence of his success, followed by eight years under his Vice President Teddy Roosevelt, to support a Top-20 ranking. 

Notable Quotations: “The ideals of yesterday are the truths of today.”

“Our differences are politics. Our agreements are principles.”

“I have had enough of it, heaven knows. I have had responsibilities enough to kill any man,” (on being President).

“That’s all a man can hope for during his lifetime: to set an example; and when he is dead, to be an inspiration for history.”

#18: William McKinley

#17: John Adams (1797-1801)

Such a poor ranking for our second President may shock some of our readers. Many just assume that because he followed George Washington, he must be worthy of a high rank. Yet, I’ll ask that you hear me out and listen to the case that I make against Adams.

Don’t get me wrong, John Adams had quite the resume. He was a member of the Continental Congress, one of our most esteemed founding fathers, a well-respected foreign diplomat who negotiated a treaty with Napoleon, and he helped establish the first Navy and Marine Corps. He was, of course, our first Vice President, father of future President John Quincy Adams, cousin of patriot Samuel Adams, the first President to live in the Executive Mansion in our new capital, and instrumental in organizing and supporting most of our founding documents.

So, how could I dare rank him outside of the Top-10?

In my study of Adams over the years, I have gained a great deal of respect and admiration for the man. There is no disputing his significance and importance in American history. However, I have also learned a few things that have caused me to doubt his effectiveness as President.

Adams loved the spotlight. Perhaps this is best recognized by him being so eager to take on the role of defending the British troops who were on trial for murder after the Boston Massacre. That is a story in itself. However, I find it interesting that Adams was so willing to defend the “perpetrators” of a crime that had been agitated by his cousin Samuel and the Sons of Liberty.

Stick with me here…

It was no secret that Adams was a proponent of an Executive ruler that more closely resembled a King than a President. In fact, Adams tried to convince the first Congress that the Presidency should be a royal position, passed down and inherited within a royal family. Hmmm…

Adams was convinced that the majority of Americans were not intelligent enough to make decisions on their own, much less play a role in the business of political affairs. He felt that the government should have profound control over her citizens (and their money), despite the fact that he had stood against such notions during the Revolution. Amazing how his views changed after the British oppressors had been defeated and the chains of our bondage had been broken.

Lastly, John Adams was the father of political divisiveness in early-America, and a major reason why political parties took a stranglehold upon George Washington’s exit…a grip that is still felt (quite tightly), even today. Such attitudes created a sense of distrust for Adams in the position of President, and he was ousted by Thomas Jefferson in 1800. I find it strange that America moved away from Adams after only one term, and more specifically, on the heels of Washington’s success. There were no term limits in those days, but America had had enough, making Adams the first President to serve only one round as the Chief Executive.

So, while his ranking isn’t terribly low, I won’t afford Adams a ranking higher than he rightfully deserves…in my opinion… 

Notable Quotations: “Ambition is the subtlest beast of the intellectual and moral field. It is wonderfully adroit in concealing itself from its owner.”

“The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing.”

“Power naturally grows. Why? Because human passions are insatiable.”

“It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power.”

“The people ought to consider the President’s office as the indispensable guardian of their rights.”

“You are apprehensive of monarchy; I, of aristocracy. I would therefore have given more power to the President, and less to the Senate,” (to Thomas Jefferson).

“Being the President was the four most miserable years of my life.”

#17: John Adams

PRESIDENTIAL RANKINGS SO FAR: 

#17: John Adams (1797-1801)

#18: William McKinley (1897-1901)

#19: William Taft (1909-1913)

#21/20: Grover Cleveland (1885-89/1893-97)

#22: George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)

#23: Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)

#24: Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)

#25: John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)

#26: Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)

#27: Gerald Ford (1974-1977)

#28: Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)

#29: Zachary Taylor (March 1849-July 1850)

#30: Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)

#31: Chester Arthur (1881-1885)

#32: Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)

#33: John Tyler (1841-1845)

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

#35: Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)

#36: Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)

#37: James Buchanan (1857-1861)

#38: Richard Nixon (1969-1974)

#39: Bill Clinton (1993-2001)

#40: Warren Harding (March 1921-August 1923)

#41: Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)

#42*: James Garfield (March 1881-September 1881)

#43*: William Henry Harrison (March 1841-April 1841)