Stantooley's Episode 4: Ranking all 46 U.S. Presidents from Best to Worst
Stantooley's Episode 4: Ranking all 46 U.S. Presidents from Best to Worst
Using OpenAI ChatGPT for criteria-based presidential performance assessments
Presidential performance isn’t defined by a president or political party; it’s shaped by history, culture, economic progress, and answers one key question—did the occupant of the White House leave the nation better off?
The strength of our AI assessments lies in their objectivity and broad access to fact-based data. That’s why we give you the AI prompt, so you can get to the truth yourself.
ChatGPT Prompt:
“Based on smart economic growth, job creation, real GNP growth, integrity, positive image, and ability to collaborate to get things done, list all 46 past and current US Presidents from best to worst.”
Enter the prompt into your own ChatGPT session or use this link.
https://chatgpt.com/share/66f227b5-084c-8000-b587-c91e98088226 At the prompt feel free to question ChatGPT on its results.
ChatGPT
Ranking all 46 U.S. Presidents on factors like smart economic growth, job creation, real GNP growth, integrity, positive image, and ability to collaborate involves subjective analysis and historical context. Here’s a high-level ranking based on those criteria, blending both historical analysis and economic outcomes during their presidencies:
Top Tier Presidents (Best in Economic Growth, Integrity, Collaboration)
Abraham Lincoln – Preserved the Union, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, established a strong moral foundation.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – Led the country through the Great Depression and WWII, initiated the New Deal, spurred major economic recovery.
Theodore Roosevelt – Anti-trust policies, Square Deal, conservation efforts, boosted industrial growth.
George Washington – Established the foundation of the U.S. economy, stable leadership, set standards for future presidencies.
Dwight D. Eisenhower – Infrastructure development (Interstate Highway System), strong economy, avoided inflation, expanded Social Security.
Thomas Jefferson – Louisiana Purchase, expanded U.S. territory, agrarian economic policies, maintained neutrality in conflicts.
John F. Kennedy – New Frontier policies, space race initiatives, set groundwork for civil rights, posthumous reforms boosted economy.
Harry S. Truman – Led post-WWII recovery, Marshall Plan, desegregation of the military, rebuilt global economic alliances.
Lyndon B. Johnson – Great Society programs, Civil Rights Act, Medicare, job creation through public works.
Bill Clinton – Strong economic growth, budget surplus, job creation, bipartisan collaboration, welfare reform.
Upper Mid-Tier Presidents (Strong Economic and Social Leadership)
Ronald Reagan – Economic growth through supply-side policies, ended stagflation, strong defense spending, though increased national debt.
James Madison – Strong leadership during the War of 1812, fostered economic stability post-war.
James Monroe – Era of Good Feelings, Monroe Doctrine, economic stability through national bank policies.
Woodrow Wilson – Progressive reforms, Federal Reserve Act, led U.S. through WWI, though controversial for civil rights.
Barack Obama – Led recovery from 2008 financial crisis, healthcare reform (Affordable Care Act), improved international relations.
Andrew Jackson – Paid off national debt, expanded democratic participation, though controversial for his treatment of Native Americans.
James K. Polk – Territorial expansion (Oregon, Mexican-American War), strong economic policies supporting growth.
William McKinley – Led economic recovery, Spanish-American War, established gold standard.
John Adams – Strengthened central government, avoided conflict with France, developed early economic policies.
Grover Cleveland – Supported gold standard, fought political corruption, promoted civil service reform.
Mid-Tier Presidents (Moderate Achievements in Economic and Political Areas)
George H.W. Bush – Managed end of Cold War, passed Americans with Disabilities Act, mixed economic results due to early '90s recession.
Calvin Coolidge – Focused on tax cuts and economic growth, though oversaw speculative bubble leading to the Great Depression.
Chester A. Arthur – Civil service reform, strong foreign policy, limited but positive economic impact.
Martin Van Buren – Established independent treasury system, though the Panic of 1837 marred his presidency.
Herbert Hoover – Brilliant in earlier career (Hoover Dam), but Great Depression overwhelmed his policies.
William Howard Taft – Antitrust lawsuits, improved foreign trade policies, expanded national infrastructure.
Ulysses S. Grant – Supported Reconstruction, strong economic recovery after the Panic of 1873, though marred by corruption scandals.
Gerald Ford – Oversaw difficult post-Watergate recovery, maintained economic stability despite stagflation.
Joe Biden (Incumbent) – Managed COVID recovery, passed infrastructure bill, mixed economic results and inflation concerns.
Rutherford B. Hayes – Restored economic stability after the Panic of 1873, promoted civil service reform, end of Reconstruction.
Lower Mid-Tier Presidents (Some Achievements, but Major Economic or Integrity Concerns)
Richard Nixon – Ended Vietnam War, opened China, established EPA, though resigned due to Watergate scandal.
Benjamin Harrison – Supported tariffs for industrial growth, expanded military, though led to deficit spending.
Jimmy Carter – Human rights focus, improved Middle East peace process (Camp David Accords), though faced stagflation and energy crisis.
Millard Fillmore – Strengthened foreign relations, signed Compromise of 1850, little economic impact.
Warren G. Harding – Economic boom but plagued by corruption (Teapot Dome scandal).
Zachary Taylor – Strong stance on Union preservation, limited domestic economic policies due to early death in office.
George W. Bush – Led through 9/11 and War on Terror, but the 2008 financial crisis significantly damaged his economic legacy.
Bottom Tier Presidents (Weak Economic Growth, Scandals, or Failed Leadership)
Franklin Pierce – Failed to ease sectional tensions, supported expansion of slavery, weak economic policies.
James Buchanan – Presidency marred by pre-Civil War tensions, failed to prevent secession, poor economic leadership.
Andrew Johnson – Clashed with Congress, undermined Reconstruction, no major economic achievements.
John Tyler – Vetoed banking reforms, aligned with pro-slavery policies, weak economic leadership.
William Henry Harrison – Died shortly after taking office, no economic legacy.
Herbert Hoover – Known for inability to handle the onset of the Great Depression despite earlier successes.
Donald Trump – Mixed economic results, significant tax cuts for wealthy, high national debt, controversial handling of pandemic, divisive political climate.
Warren G. Harding – Economic growth but overshadowed by corruption (Teapot Dome).
Richard Nixon – Resigned after Watergate despite some economic and foreign policy successes.
This list blends economic, collaborative, and integrity-focused criteria, but these factors are open to interpretation based on historical context and individual political values.