Ranking the Presidents

A comprehensive year-long assessment of American presidential leadership, examining all 45 presidents through 12 distinct categories of evaluation

John Adams Part 4: Leadership & Legacy

John Adams was a president of principle in an age of passion. His greatest achievement avoiding war with France came at the cost of his presidency. His commitment to law, order, and constitutional government helped establish precedents crucial for the republic's survival...

Overall Score: 13.62/20.00 - A good president whose strengths in foreign policy and character outweighed weaknesses in politics and communication.

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George Washington Part 4: Leadership & Legacy

George Washington was not merely America's first president he was the creator of the American presidency. His systematic approach to establishing democratic precedents, combined with his unparalleled moral authority, enabled the transformation of constitutional theory into effective governance...

Overall Score: 17.23/20.00 - An exceptional president whose institutional innovations and moral leadership established the foundation of American democracy.

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Series Introduction: Why Another Presidential Ranking?

How do we measure presidential greatness? It's a question that has fascinated historians since Arthur Schlesinger Sr. pioneered the first systematic presidential rankings in 1948...

Our framework addresses common issues through 12 distinct categories that comprehensively cover presidential responsibilities while minimizing overlap.

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