Older people: Who in your opinion was the best president in history and why?

Question: Older people: Who in your opinion was the best president in history and why!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

John F!. Kennedy!. (All the trash and gossip aside, this is about his job in office not his home life!.)

- He successfully avoided thermonuclear war with the Soviets during the Cuban Missile Crisis!. We had never before or since been at Defcon 4!. We are alive because of his efforts and those of his administration!.

- He delegated a lot of decisions and responsibility to his brother Attorney General Robert F!. Kennedy which was a great move because Robert was a very effective leader and John was taking enormous amounts of medication for his numerous ailments!. To realize you aren't fit to rule and to delegate authority takes wisdom!.

- President Kennedy was the first president to openly address segregation - on national TV no less - when it was widely unpopular to do so in so many states where racism still existed!. That was prompted by Alabama Governer George Wallace who attempted to defy a court order to allowing admittance of 2 African American students to an all white university!.

- He proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and because of that (although it's been ammended over the years) we are protected from housing and job discrimination!.

- He donated all of his yearly presidential salary to charity!. The Kennedy family was wealthy enough and they always felt strongly about helping those in need!.

I personally like the fact that he would respond personally to people who wrote to him and that he never lost touch with the common man!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

George Washington
In history it is very, very rare for a revolutionary leader to lead a successful revolution, form a new government, and launch it new government!. More than any other American George Washington birthed the United States!. The first election is often easy, the second is the difficult one!.
Washington lead the revolution, then stepped aside at the end of the war, many feared that he would take the Army and place himself at the head of the government!. This Washington avoided despite call from the Army when the new American government did not pay off the soldiers!. Many soldiers called upon Washington to reform the army, march on the government, and forcibly take the back pay they were promised!.
Washington avoided this his presence, sufficed to bring the bickering, political leadership on the new country to their senses!. Washington, was the man all could support, all could trust, and all could agree with!. So it was not a surprise that when the new government was launched he was chosen as it's head!. He served two terms, resolved a number of very difficult issue which threatened the existence of the new nation both internally and externally!. Then declined further service!. Rarely has someone invested so much into a project to give it up to others!.

Abraham Lincoln is my second choice!.

Theodore Roosevelt the third!.

FDR, in my youth I admired him but after studying about him and his life, I found that FDR can not, and should not be held on equal terms with the above, FDR motives were very dark, and self serving!.
The depression, was only ended when the US industry began manufacturing arms for Europe!. Would FDR action be reviewed under today's scrutiny the picture would be very different!.
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In no certain order!.!.!.

Teddy Roosevelt: For his reform on big business!.!.Child Labor Law!.!.!.Food And Drug!.!.!.and he lead a very interesting life!.!.!.

Abe Lincoln: Despite being very inexperienced (sound Familiar !?!?) in poliltics and faced with a five year war!.!.!.He kept the US Together

Ronald Reagan: Because after Carter and the US being a laughing stock!.!.!.Brought back our national pride, strength, and economy!.!.!.

FDR (NOT!) !?!?!? Nearly made the US a socialist country!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

FDR - he totally turned the country around after the Great Depression, as well as led bravely and wisely in WWII!. His public works projects still stand today in particularly every small town & city across the nation!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I can't imagine Lincoln and Washington not being #1 and #2 or #2 and #1 on every list!. To me, they dwarf the others!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Great answer by Linda-Do above!. 100% agreement!.Www@QuestionHome@Com