A poll for Presidents’ Day asked Americans to rate 20 U.S. presidents and 11 first ladies on a scale from outstanding to poor. Americans generally evaluated OLD-SCHOOL presidents similarly . . . like: George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, Abe Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy.
In other words, Democrats and Republicans today actually have SIMILAR opinions on all of them . . . and they’re all POSITIVE to some degree. (Except Wilson, who got neutral “meh” ratings from everyone.)
Not surprisingly, recent presidents are mostly viewed through partisan lenses.
For example, the Republicans in the poll say that Donald Trump is one of the best presidents we’ve ever had . . . behind just Lincoln, Washington, and Ronald Reagan. Most Democrats say he’s “below average” or “poor.”
But Democrats say Barack Obama was one of the best presidents we’ve ever had . . . even HIGHER than Lincoln, JFK, and FDR. While Republicans rate him as the second-WORST president, ahead of only Joe Biden.
The only president both sides are down on is: Richard Nixon.
They also asked about First Ladies:
Today’s Democrats and Republicans similarly appreciate Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush.
But more recently, the ratings are more partisan for the wives as well.
Republicans say Melania Trump’s efforts and hard work make her the second-best First Lady we’ve seen . . . just one notch below Nancy Reagan. Democrats gave Melania the lowest rating of contemporary First Ladies.
Democrats rate Michelle Obama as the most impactful First Lady, while Republicans say she was “below average” or “poor.” For what it’s worth, Republicans gave even lower scores to Jill Biden and Hillary Clinton.