Most Metrics tell us that Bill Clinton was the most effective President of my lifetime (I am 56). I am tired of the Bush bashing, but unfortunately it is all to well deserved. He raced to the end of the line.

Tojo, I would have liked to have seen how GWB would have done had we not been attacked on our shores. It was my understanding that he was going to continue Reaganomics. It would have been interesting to say the least. Even with a war, he managed to keep us at 5% unemployment for a time. Problems began when he decided to go along with democrats when they took over. he caved way too often for my taste.
Reagan would be my pick for all time president, but Bill Clinton would be a close second. Both were able to reach across the asile and that is definately is an art.

My favorite Presidents of my lifetime are Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Lyndon Johnson. President Johnson was one of our best civil rights Presidents.

Abraham Lincoln hands down. Next George Washington, then Ronald Reagan.

Worst president in American history - Barack Hussein Obama.

Ronald Reagan
David - LBJ did more to set back civil rights than any other President. We have a much bigger divide today than ever. The huge welfare state he crated has been a disaster.

LBJ "created", not "crated"
Sorry about that. I need to proof read better.

Clinton was a good president...but a bad husband.

George Washington will always be number one given the unique position of him being the first President. That being said Ronald Reagan would be the best President in modern times. Barack Obama has captured the title hands down of the worst President in US history.

Harrison. He had the decency to die a month into his term.

Chris P. - agreed about Johnson. He was very opposed. I wish people would actually look at history as it happened rather than how it has been rewritten to support an agenda. For those who say dixie-crats and all that became republicans of today, look again at history. Those people stayed with the democrats and didn't move on with the republican party. I can provide names etc... Civil rights was a turing point. For those affected by it, a great gain, for those opposed to it, the media picked up on its power to make people believe their salvation came from a political party. How disastrous that has been, but many are waking up to the truth and getting stoned for it. But I have faith that the truth will prevail.

But yeah, George Washington definately. He fought alongside his people to win freedom. How long has it been since we've had a leader that has seen war?

Folks, the question posed is "Who do you think qualifies as America's best President"? Please allow me to express my opinion without forcing your perspectives on this question down my throat. Thanks.

Lincoln was the first President to decide the Constitution didn't matter if it didn't fit his needs.

Sadly, he wasn't the last one as well.

Lincoln preserved the union and ended slavery...hard to top that. Washington set our course. Teddy Roosevelt shaped the nation's economic destiny with his Square Deal and realized the importance of conserving our natural resources. FDR led us through our darkest times and devised the New Deal laying the foundations of the middle class. Johnson's Great Society programs brought millions out of poverty and established health care as a right for American seniors and the poor. Those would be my top five.

harry s truman..the only president with any real "spauldings"...reagan maybe a distant second...

History will treat Barack Obama with the respect he deserves. I think FDR, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, and Bill Clinton all served their country well in modern times. Jimmy Carter's legacy was robbed by the Iranian hostage crisis and big oil. He has proven to be the best former President.

The worst would be George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon - in that order.

While Roosevelt created many good programs, the problem with government creating programs is summed up in something Reagan said:
"No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!"
What that means to me is that if we put a time limit on a program, the government needs to have the integrity to stick to it. The only one worth keeping was the ones for the elderly. Look at welfare and tell me, is it better or worse for having been around so long?
He continued..."We should measure welfare's success by how many people leave welfare, not by how many are added." At that point, it has failed. At least we could have reformed it. the problem with government is that it continues to take money from people even when the money is spent on a failing program. Seems we could have some way to withold taxes on certain things until government fixes it-then people would be happy to give. But government is drunk on power over other peoples money.

...I mean, WITH other people's money lol

Today was a difficult day. It's the one year anniversary of my wife's passing. Although I know she is in a much better place, I still miss her. But luckily for me, I can read through the posts of several of our most liberal stooges and get a huge laugh. Thanks so much for cheering me up. You guys are a hoot.

I believe that "Mt. Rushmore," which is part of the Black Hills, should be GIVEN back to the decendants of the the Lakota Indian Tribe. The Lakota were "removed and re-assigned" to other Indian land (known now to all as reservations), after white-european settlers found gold to be mined, in the Black Hills. The Black Hills area has been inhabited by various Indian Tribes since 7000 BC. On, 23 July,1980 (after the case of U.S. v. Sioux Nation of Indians, ended) The Supreme Court ruled that the Black Hills were ILLEGALLY TAKEN and that the remuneration of the Black Hills be set at its initial offering price of $106 million dollars. The Lakota REFUSED the money. Not a single Lakota tribal member has ever claimed or accepted, any of this money, which in 2010 amounted to over $757 million dollars. And to help erase the memory of this terrible injustice, I believe the U.S. Governmnet should clear away, all the U.S. presidential faces and any trace of them from the Black Hills Indian territory, if the Lakota desire it done.

I Like Ike! War Hero; A genuine likeable fellow. He was suited for the times.

George Washington is a walkaway on this one. These modern lightweigths can't hold a candle.

First, George Washington, then Ronald Reagan.

Worst president in American history - Barack Hussein Obama, then Jimbo Carter.

Liberals are stooges, regardless of whether they are President or not.

Nancy Reagan was my favorite, and is still living, so would qualify as the current best, which is how I read the question.

Ronald Reagan and George Washington. The absolute worst in the history of this great country is Barack Obama who is taking us down the path of socialism.