In a recent ranking of presidents by a group of so-called experts, Abraham Lincoln was once again hailed as America’s greatest president, while Donald Trump found himself at the bottom of the list. This ranking, conducted by the Presidential Greatness Project, surveyed 154 respondents, including members of the American Political Science Association and scholars with published research in presidential politics.
While Lincoln’s top spot in the rankings comes as no surprise, given his previous successes in the survey, it is disheartening to see the lack of recognition for Trump’s accomplishments. Despite his many achievements during his presidency, such as revitalizing the economy, securing border control, and negotiating historic peace deals in the Middle East, Trump was relegated to last place.
It is worth noting that political affiliation and ideology did not significantly impact the rankings, according to the release. However, it is hard to ignore the partisan bias that seems to seep into these assessments. Conservatives and Republicans were more likely to rank Reagan, Bush, and Trump higher, while Democrats favored Obama and Biden.
This partisan divide is evident in the rankings, with Obama being rated 6th by Democrats and 15th by Republicans, while Biden is ranked 13th by Democrats and 30th by Republicans. Even Bill Clinton, a Democrat, received higher rankings from Republicans than Democrats.
It is disheartening to see that the accomplishments of conservative presidents are often downplayed or dismissed by those on the left. Reagan, Bush, and Trump all made significant contributions to our country, yet their rankings reflect a bias that undermines their legacies.
While rankings like these may be subjective and based on individual opinions, they still shape public perception and can influence historical narratives. It is important to approach such rankings with a critical eye and consider the potential biases at play.
In the end, the true measure of a president’s greatness lies not in the opinions of a select few, but in the lasting impact they have on the American people and the nation as a whole. And for conservatives, it is clear that Lincoln, Trump, and other Republican leaders have left a positive and enduring legacy that should not be overlooked.
