Analyzing POTUS: Hoover - Reagan

Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)

This man was the poster child for the saying, "wrong place at
the wrong time." Contrary to popular opinion, Hoover did not
create the Great Depression. Unfortunately, though, the guy
did little to stop it and that's how he lost his reelection bid.
Oddly enough, Hoover was no stranger to catostrophic events,
having run the U.S. Food Administration and American Relief
Administration during WWI. His domestic policies in the
months preceeding the Depression were noteworthy (including
the building of the Boulder Dam--later renamed Hoover.) But
his inability to stop the greatest U.S. economic disaster
consumed his presidency.
Grade: D+ (Ran out of steam, perhaps?)

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)
With the possible exception of the unprecedented George
Washington, no other president had the magnitude of FDR's
challenges. And he goes down in history books (and this
review) as one the greats, because he handled them with
success. To put it bluntly, the country wouldn't have survived
without the "New Deal". From the WPA to the CCC, the guy
put America back to work when 25% of its citizens were
without jobs. Although unemployment remained high,
Roosevelt's winning attitude and energy saw the U.S. through
the Depression. That same boundless energy helped to
create strategy that won WWII. Roosevelt was a crafty
politician, and his Supreme Court packing was one of few low
moments in an otherwise remarkable, successful presidency.
Grade: A+ (More like him, please.)

Harry Truman (1945-1953)
What can one say about a man who left the presidency with
one of the lowest popularity ratings ever (22%) and one who
won reelection despite widespread predictions (and hopes)
that he would lose? I say he's near-awesome. Truman didn't
give a damn about polls. He stuck to his guns on everything
from the Atomic Bomb decision to the firing of the popular
Gen. MacArthur. His National Security Act of '47 was a
needed boost to U.S. defenses; the Marshall Plan and
Truman Doctrines were successful foreign policies. His U.S.
recognition of the state of Israel was a mistake, and the
Korean War was a mess for his Administration. Part of the
reason for Truman's unpopularity was his far-reaching (for the
times) civil rights platform, which split his own party.
Grade: A- (They said, "Give 'em hell, Harry!" He did.)

Dwight Eisenhower (1953-1961)
Everyone allegedly "liked Ike". And why wouldn't they? The
popular former WWII general was president at a time of great
prosperity. Eisenhower wasn't exactly like most other former
military who achieved the presidency; his accomplishments
are many. Establishing the Department of Health, Education
& Welfare was a highlight, as was the creation of the Interstate
Highway System. Eisenhower's Civil Rights Acts were noble,
if not short-sighted. Overall, "Ike" was a right fit for a post-war
nation, prior to the tumultuous 1960s.
Grade: B+ (See? I like some ex-military POTUS' :) )

John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
I'm sorry--this is very un-liberal of me, but Kennedy was mostly
hype. Don't get me wrong--he did some great things, like
establishing the Peace Corps and avoiding nuclear war in the
Cuban Missile Crisis. But the Bay of Pigs was a fiasco and
even though Eisenhower began involvement in Vietnam, it was
Kennedy who really got it going. Although JFK gave support to
a space program, it was merely lip service. His work on civil
rights was more political posturing that genuine leadership, but
he did create what would become the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
I refuse to call Kennedy 'great', but he was certainly a needed
progressive voice in a time of massive change.
Grade: C+ (Mixed both idealism and realism.)

Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)
LBJ was a complex individual. He was a cowboy from the hills
of Texas and should've been more conservative by those
characteristics alone. But from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to
Medicare, the War on Poverty to the Gun Control Act of 1968,
Johnson was a progressive domestic visionary. Unfortunately,
Vietnam and Johnson's poor response to urban unrest were
his downfalls. When he stubbornly insisted on maintaining
troop levels (and, ultimately, deaths) in Vietnam, his popularity
plummeted, and his positive programs went along with it. Had
LBJ not decided against running for reelection in 1968, he
would have certainly been defeated.
Grade: C- (Masterful politician, over-zealous leader.)

Richard M. Nixon (1969-1974)
To start with the positive, Richard Nixon did what LBJ couldn't
(or wouldn't) do, by ending U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Nixon's
environmental policies were innovative and his progressive works
in education and workplace matters (Title IX and the EEO) were
commendable. Nixon's historic China visit and relations with the
Soviet Union were probably his biggest successes. Of course,
Watergate was Nixon's downfall, and his attempts to cover up
the scandal would alone make both existing and subsequent
generations of Americans jaded in their view of the government.
Had he not put the nation through Watergate, Nixon, an actual
liberal, would've been higher in my reviews.
Grade: C (He would've preferred dictatorship.)

Gerald Ford (1974-1977)
New president Gerald Ford made a decision early in his
Administration to pardon Nixon. Although it effectively ended
Ford's political career, the Nixon pardon was a good call.
Nixon's prosecution would've gone on for years and the nation
needed to heal. The economy was rough during Ford's term,
and his initial refusal to bail out NYC helped dim his chances
for election in his own right. Middle Eastern problems hassled
Ford and to me, his leadership wasn't effective, despite his
good attempts. Ford's honesty, however, was impeccable.
Grade: C (Accidental VP & Prez--but rose to the challenge)

Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)
What a mess. Carter was the Woodrow Wilson of his day,
infusing his term in office with a messiah-like rule that wasn't
a proper reflection of how the people felt about him (he only
won the '76 election by 2%.) From his well-known horrific
relationship with Congress to the Energy crisis, a wicked
economy and the Iran hostage situation that dominated the
last part of his presidency, Jimmy Carter was in over his head.
His greatest accomplishment as president? The Camp David
Accords, a testimony to his passion for world peace. That
passion made him a great man--outside of his presidency.
Grade: D+ (Greatness comes from weakness.)

Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)
First of all, "Reaganomics" were a joke. They didn't stop
economic downward spirals during Reagan's term (although
fairly, inflation was reduced during his presidency.) Reagan's
far-reaching economic cuts hurt low-income families. His
attack on Libya and Soviet Union intervention weren't
necessary, but he was a strong advocate for the necessary
end of the Cold War. The Iran-Contra affair showcased
Reagan's lack of oversight in his own Administration. His
unwillingness to fight against the AIDS epidemic was
reprehensible. Reagan's longest-lasting achievement is
that he was a voice of optimism and hope for America at a
time of cynicism and 'malaise'.
Grade: C- (Actors make performances, not policies.)


NEXT: Analyzing POTUS: G. Bush - Obama/Conclusion