Today, I was reading the new C-Span Survey of Presidential Leadership. I know that historians are traditionally on the liberal side, but I think the survey is evidence of the bigger paradigm shift. With the Lincoln Lovefest that has been going on, I'm not surprised that Lincoln came up on top. Lincoln is the ultimate symbol of federal control, so I'm more than a little disappointed in how much he is idolized. Washington is a good choice at 2, especially after considering the arguments pertaining to his awesomeness here. FDR at 3? I'm still not surprised. Truman at 5? I'm shocked. Woodrow Wilson ranked above Reagan? I'm starting to get angry. (By the way, I do love some Woodrow Wilson, but the man's indecision over WW1 and reputation as a huge racist should knock him a few notches down.) The idea that Kennedy is even in the top 10 is a little silly as well.
Given how far to the left they went with the list, I am amazed at the restraint used with W. I was prepared for him to be crucified. He's in the bottom 10, but I thought it would somehow be worse for him.
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