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

Disclaimer: This is where things became very, very difficult for me in setting the Presidential Rankings. From #43 up through #14, the process was fairly easy to navigate, and #’s 4-1 were “locked” into their positions from the early stages. Yet, #’s 13-5 were perhaps the most difficult to draw distinctions between, as each man contributed so many things to the success of America. As Presidents # 13-5 are divided into their respective rankings and groups, please know that their positioning was the most difficult for me to assign.

#9: Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)

He was perhaps the most respected leader during the biggest war that the world has ever known. A graduate of West Point and an Army Officer since the “War To End All Wars” (WWI), Dwight D. Eisenhower was ultimately chosen to serve as the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. On June 6^th, 1944, Eisenhower gave the D-Day Order that launched the Allied invasion against Nazi-controlled Europe:

“You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely….The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

Eventually overseeing the destruction of Hitler’s Nazi war machine and victory in Europe, Eisenhower was bestowed one of the rarest of military honors: that of earning a 5^th Star as a General. Yet Eisenhower’s work was scarcely done, as the reorganization and rebuilding of Europe had to be completed under the watchful eye of an ever-vigilant U.S. military presence. Furthermore, after the full extent of the Nazi Holocaust against the Jews was uncovered, Eisenhower ordered video footage of the atrocities be taken and revealed to the rest of the world.

Following the war, Eisenhower returned to the United States as a legendary hero. He accepted the position of President of Columbia University in 1948, and was chosen to serve as the first Supreme Commander of NATO in the early stages of the Cold War.

When he ran for President in 1952, many Americans were drawn to his heroic stature, and they found it easy to jump on board with the catchy campaign slogan, “I Like IKE.” Eisenhower won easily, crushing Democratic challenger Adlai Stevenson by an Electoral College landslide of 442-89. A rematch between the two in 1956 would prove even more lopsided.

As President, Eisenhower found himself faced with a great number of challenges, both domestic and foreign. The Cold War was perhaps the most serious. But “IKE” kept the pressure up on the Soviets (and Communism), encouraged new developments in science to help win the ‘Space Race,’ made nuclear weapons a top priority in regard to military and foreign affairs, and helped bring the Korean War to a close.

At home, Eisenhower’s biggest challenge was the Civil Rights struggle and desegregation in the wake of the Brown v. Board of Education case. While some question whether “IKE” did nearly enough, it is obvious that he was pushing for progress. He passed significant Civil Rights legislation in 1957 and 1960, and ordered the National Guard to certain states that refused to abide by the desegregation ruling. Obviously, Eisenhower’s intervention in Arkansas (with the “Little Rock Nine”) was the one most widely-remembered.

In addition, he orchestrated the largest infrastructure project in American history with the building of our Interstate Highway system. Making certain that America honored her religious roots (in light of a change in societal morality), Eisenhower had the phrase “under God” added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954. He also had “In God We Trust” adopted as our National Motto in 1956, then added it to our currency the following year.

On the lighter side of things, “IKE” was responsible for renaming the Presidential retreat formerly known as “Shangri-La” to “Camp David” (after his Grandson). His love for golf inspired him to have a putting green added to the White House lawn. Yet, a large population of squirrels around the premises frustrated Eisenhower by interfering with his ability to concentrate while putting. He would later order all squirrels “banished” from the White House grounds. 

Notable Quotations: “Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.”

“In the service, when a man gives you his word, his word is binding. In politics, you never know.”

“Accomplishment will prove to be a journey, not a destination.”

“Whatever America hopes to bring to pass in this world must first come to pass in the heart of America.”

“What counts is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.”

“The only way to win World War III…is to prevent it.” 

Famous Phrases/Slogans: “I Like Ike” (campaign slogan)

#9: Dwight D. Eisenhower

#8: Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1901-1909)

He was one of the best at delivering memorable speeches and powerful one-liners when they were needed most, and the man they called “Teddy” never shied away from a good fight:

“It’s not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worth cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt is one of four U.S. Presidents featured on the famed Mount Rushmore. His face sits carved next to the likes of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson. I’d say that’s some pretty significant company to keep.

Roosevelt was a native of New York, and did perhaps more with his life than just about any of his Presidential peers. He still stands as the youngest person ever elected to the Presidency, just 42 years old at the time. He was an accomplished author, writing more than 30 books during his lifetime on a variety of topics. He was a life-long advocate of the outdoors, contributing a great deal of his attention to legislation for National Parks and Wildlife Preserves. He was in office to see the beginning stages of the building of the Panama Canal, and he was responsible for putting Lincoln on the penny.

Yet, despite those “small” accomplishments (a bit of sarcasm there), let’s turn our attention to some of the “big things” in the life of Teddy Roosevelt…

Militarily speaking, Roosevelt was named the Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897. However, fearing that he wouldn’t see much “action” during the Spanish-American War in that capacity, he resigned from the post and became a Commissioned Officer with the Army. He took command of a legendary group of former athletes, cowboys, and ruffians known as “The Rough Riders.” Their expeditions during the war are significant pieces of American folklore, even today. Teddy capped his impressive military career by earning the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Politically, he served as Governor of New York and Vice President before assuming the Presidency after the assassination of William McKinley. While in office, Teddy was a friend of the people, ensuring that common folks (as well as small businesses) would get a fair shake in America through his “Square Deal” program.

Roosevelt detested corruption, especially in the business world. He often felt that big business could easily take advantage of the people if the government neglected to safeguard its citizens. He therefore set out to ‘gun down’ big monopolies and big trusts, just as he would big game on the rugged plains during one of his many hunting expeditions. He rightfully earned the endearing title of “Trustbuster” by doing away with the unfair practices of some of America’s biggest industrial empires.

Don’t let the name fool you, “Teddy” was no pushover. In fact, he was quite the opposite, and is remembered for being one of the toughest Presidents to ever grace the White House. Earlier in his life, he had to overcome the unimaginable personal tragedy of losing his first wife, along with his mother, on the same day. Roosevelt’s heart was broken on February 14^th, 1884 (Valentines Day, no less), when both women passed away due to illness.

The 5^th cousin of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Teddy was once shot by an angry adversary while preparing to deliver a speech. Realizing that his chest wound was not fatal, Roosevelt pushed forward, telling the crowd that it would “take more than a bullet” to bring him down. He gave a rousing 90-minute speech before finally agreeing to seek medical attention at a hospital, despite the blood-soaked shirt that was, by that time, obvious to everyone on hand.

Lastly, yes, the Teddy Bear was in fact named after our dear President. Legend has it that while hunting, Roosevelt refused to shoot a defenseless bear cub that was tied to a tree. The tale inspired a toy company to begin producing what they coined as “Teddy Bears.” The name stuck, and countless American children have clung to them ever since.     

Notable Quotations: “The White House is a bully pulpit.”

“A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything ‘real’ on ‘real issues.’”

“No people ever benefited by riches if their prosperity corrupted their virtue.”

“Order without liberty, and liberty without order, are equally destructive.”

“The Constitution was made for the people, not the people for the Constitution.”

“A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.”

“Americanism is a question of principle, of purpose, of idealism, or character; it is not a matter of birthplace, or creed, or line of descent.”

“This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.”

“Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ‘em ‘Certainly I can!’ Then get busy and find out how to do it.”

“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”

“No man is above the law and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man’s permission when we require him to obey it.” 

Famous Phrases/Slogans: “Speak softly…but carry a big stick.”

#8: Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt

PRESIDENTIAL RANKINGS SO FAR: 

#8: Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1901-1909)

#9: Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)

#10: James Monroe (1817-1825)

#11: Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)

#12: John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)

#13: Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)

#14: James K. Polk (1845-1849)

#15: Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)

#16: George W. Bush (2001-2009)

#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)