[LWC]

To me, there are 11-12 Presidents that stand above everyone else:

George Washington (1789-1797)
Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)


Franklin Roosevelt (1933-1945)
Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)

Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)
Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)
Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
Andrew Jackson (1829-1837)
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)
James K Polk (1845-1849)

The spaces are in there for a reason. The top two stand above everyone else because of the MAJOR accomplishments of each.

George Washington, first of all turned down being king. That does not sound like much but it paved the way, for arguably, the most successful democracy the world has ever known. Also, he set the precedent for two-term presidents. Yet again, he stepped out of power.

Abe Lincoln's MAJOR achievement to me is not the Emancipation Proclaimation. That document only freed slaves in an area that he had no control over. However, his struggle to preserve the union is without a doubt a defining moment in US history. Not to mention, he is considered one of the best ever and he followed possibly the WORST President ever (James Buchanon).

FDR and Ronnie Regan are heroes of the modern day Democrats and Republicans. They each have defining moments, but not an overwhelming percentage of people agree that each are top 3-4 in history. Dems and Reps agree that Lincoln and Washington are 1-2 (MOST places) FDR and Regan did enough good to be recognized as great so they go to 3 and 4 for me.

James K Polk may be the most underrated ever BTW.