If the current president is NOT liked by the citizens of this nation . . . . . then, of course, have some "experts" tell us how great he is.

[PHILIP SCHNEIDER]

This world is too funny to leave right now, I've got to put my funeral on hold.

Obama Ranked Ahead Of Reagan In Survey Of Presidential Historians

»by Meenal Vamburkar | 5:19 pm, July 2nd, 2010

Barack Obama’s presidency has been marked with historic milestones and various awards–including the one and only Nobel Peace Prize. Now, a survey by presidential scholars ranks Obama as the 15th best president the country has seen. Obama’s
approval rating yesterday, when the study was released? Ironically, 45
percent strongly disapproved of the way he is performing his role as
president.

Siena College’s research institute ranked Obama just below Bill Clinton (#13), but ahead of Ronald Reagan (#18). George W. Bush, however, was on the other end of the spectrum at number 39. He scored above the likes of Warren G. Harding and Andrew Johnson.

The top spot? Not surprisingly, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Needless to say, such studies should be taken with a grain of salt. The Guardian’s Richard Adams points out that “these sorts of polls, while fun, are silly and
pointless, and that no real comparison can be made by politicians of
different eras.”

Criteria for the rankings included intelligence, imagination, communication ability and background (family, education, experience).
Siena statistics professor and poll director, Douglas Lonnstrom, told Politico the most important factor is a president’s accomplishments:

Lonnstrom said the main factor that gives a president a top-five or top-10 ranking is his accomplishments — and an all-around
high ranking in most categories.

FDR, for example, ranks in the top 10 for every category except integrity, he said.

“The experts really are looking for consistency, a president who is looking good across most of these categories,” he said.

Surveys like this can be amusing, but it’s good to keep in mind that Obama’s presidency is not yet at its halfway point. And we’ve certainly
got an endless supply of obstacles to deal with.