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From the advent of the television, US presidents have been at the focal point of criticism and ridicule.
We have had our fair share of dreadful commander-in-chiefs. Although our worst presidents have been stained with the badge of failure, they don’t stand a chance of being accepted into the ever so illustrious fraternity of the world’s worst leaders.
Notwithstanding, there have been five U.S. Presidents who have driven past the barriers of acceptable presidential behavior at mach two. Even notorious murderers have had more credibility in the long run.
When considering the nominees of this venerable listing, historians look at how presidential legacies have been received over time.
When these erudite gaze at the political and personal blunders various leaders have committed, they have to observe and critique in an unbiased manner.
Obviously, most people would expect George W. Bush to be included in this list.
However, history has not had enough time to calculate the exact scope of these political catastrophes.
Though President Bush is responsible for our current military dilemma in Iraq, we have to give him credit for his immediate response to 9/11 and his creation of the Homeland Security organization.
Through the observation of various newspapers, polls and commentators have concluded that the recipients of the 2010 World Assessment of the worst U.S. presidents are as the following: Andrew Johnson (1865-1869), Warren Harding (1921-9213), Herbert Hoover (1929-1933), Millard Fillmore (1850-1850) and John Tyler (1841-1845).
John Tyler pioneered a very interesting concept in presidential politics. This being the fact that he ran with the Whig Party during the campaign and won in a landslide.
After he won the election, he opposed all of his party’s initiatives and platforms.
Fillmore could be considered one of the main causes of the civil war. When there was a deadlock in the senate concerning the compromise of 1850, Fillmore gave his vote in support of this prejudice and divisive piece of legislation.
Since the compromise was a governing body about the boundaries of slavery, it causes a lot of resentment between the north and south.
Over time, the feud escalated to the point of civil war.
Herbert Hoover is more notably known for “Hoovervilles.” Many historians consider Hoover a facilitator of the Depression.
This is partly due to the fact that he signed a tariff law that caused much international conflict.
In addition, Hoover was not a great communicator or orator. The duration of the depression could have been shortened if Hoover provided some moral confidence and advice to his constituency.
Warren Harding claims the No. 2 spot. Harding was known for his corruption and various affairs. He hired various crooks to control the various facets of the country. Most of the time, he spent his time philandering and playing sports.
Now the time we have been waiting for. The preeminent leader of failure and screw-ups in U.S. history is Andrew Johnson. Andrew Johnson was one of the most bigoted presidents to ever set foot in the Oval office.
He passed legislation that treated African-American as colored savages. These laws were known as the infamous black codes.
Johnson’s policies and initiatives were so outrageous and felonious that congress tried to impeach him two times.
Now you know the fallouts of the highest office in the nation, you can appreciate presidents like George W. Bush.
Reach Manick Sivarajah at: opinions@thepolypost.com
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