2 July 2010 Lower than Harding’s reputation on the bottom of the ocean

2 July 2010 Lower than Harding’s reputation on the bottom of the ocean


http://www.siena.edu/uploadedfiles/home/parents_and_community/community_page/sri/independent_research/Presidents%20Release_2010_final.pdf

American Presidents: Greatest and Worst

Siena’s 5th Presidential Expert Poll 1982 – 2010

This link leads to a statistical ranking of United States Presidents that I found interesting.

“The Siena College Research Institute (SRI) Survey of U.S. Presidents is based on responses from 238 presidential scholars, historians

and political scientists that responded via mail or web to an invitation to participate. Respondents ranked each of 43 presidents on a

scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) on each of twenty presidential attributes, abilities and accomplishments. Overall rankings were

computed by assigning equal weight to each of those twenty categories. For additional information about the survey visit

www.siena.edu/sri/research or contact Professor Tom Kelly at 518-372-7890 or Dr. Douglas Lonnstrom at 518-783-2362.”

I find the top ten’s consistency over the life of the survey to be interesting. It speaks to the quality of the top ten while allowing for changes in historical perspective by the panel members. Equally interesting is the consistency of the five bottom ranked over the same period.

Obama is not included in either the top or bottom rankings. Neither is Reagan, which should tell most readers that he was never as good in office as his PR made him out to be.

G.W. Bush immediately assumed the bottom ranking in the last ranking cycle.

Kennedy fell from the top ranked group within a relatively short time. However, TR, FDR, Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, & Truman retain high ranking, consistently. The panel places both Eisenhower and Wilson in the top ranked group in more recent years. This prompts me to take another look at Wilson’s (or Mrs. Wilson’s) accomplishments than I have previously taken.

The GOP has a horrid hold on its members. Even those who are not really accepted as full-fledged members can’t seem to declare their independence. The party line is deeply imbedded.

http://advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/06/29/Republican_Condoms_Promote_Offshore_Drilling/



Grilled burgers will be on tonight’s dinner plates.