Thoughts on the Great Presidents: From George Washington to Franklin Roosevelt

The great presidents are often known because of the wars they were involved in and led. George Washington was critical to the young republic of the United States winning the American Revolution. Abraham Lincoln stayed the course in winning the Civil War over the Confederacy (during the 1860s). Franklin Roosevelt led the war against the Reich and Japan during the Second World War. Each president Bush has been involved in fights with Iraq as well as other nations, the first being the Gulf War and the second called the Second Gulf War.

What lies at the heart of the great presidents? It appears to be the gall to do things differently.

George Washington could have become a king after winning a war, just as Caesar did for Rome. Instead he stuck to his principles and the ideas of democracy, and became president.

Abraham Lincoln never said he would abolish slavery, but he wasn't going to let it spread. And when the time came to make a decision, he did effectively end slavery.

Frank Roosevelt had to entirely rewire an economy after the Great Depression, and then oversee it in the greatest of wars in the 20^th century. To do this he ran three terms as president.

It seems that for each great president there were plenty of poor decisions. George Washington went through many a trial in the American Revolution in trying to deal with congress. Abraham Lincoln had the hardest time in picking a general who could win the war for the union. Even Franklin Roosevelt made mistakes in overseeing World War 2. The key was that each made the right decision at the right time.

Who was the greatest of all presidents? That question is too hard to be answered in short. It seems the three mentioned in this article are widely considered to be the three most successful. But, these are war-time presidents, and it doesn't highlight the genius of others. If not for Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase, the young republic might not have expanded so quickly. Even Bill Clinton, an infamous president if there ever was one, has been called "great" by many for overseeing an economic boom that led too many new jobs and technologies.

It would all end up in theory and speculation if a greatest president had to be chosen. The freeing of the slaves was likely the single most important act a president ever made, but, still Washington could have been king, and Roosevelt set the United States up to win World War 2.

Instead of choosing a greatest president, perhaps picking out the best would be the least controversial. In hindsight, America has been blessed with many top leaders, some of the best of history.