Washington Steelers
Joking about Iron City beer and throwing passes with Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, President George W. Bush welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers to the White House today. 
President Bush receives a Steelers jersey at the White HouseBush even received his own Steelers jersey from the president of the team. I hope he wears the jersey with pride. Maybe he can show it off next time he's in town.
A few days ago, Andrew asked me whom I would consider to be the worst United States President of the 20th century. As I was not alive for much of the 20th century and cannot rely on my own memories of that period, this question is difficult for me to answer. Following are some brief considerations I have made while thinking about this question, to the end of answering it.
President Warren G. Harding (#29: 1921 — 1923) ranks high on my list of worst presidents because of his involvement in the Teapot Dome scandal and in the Ku Klux Klan. If you are familiar with the phrase "tempest in a teapot," you will find a strong similarity in meaning (not to mention the coinage of the phrase) with the events of the scandal.
President Calvin Coolidge (#30: 1923 — 1929) was incredibly boring, very quiet, and didn't really do much for the country. He was not a powerful leader, and while some of his dismay in life may have been derived from the death of his son, the lack of poignance of his presidency is inexcusable. During these years, the country would have been better served by a more progressive leader.
President Richard M. Nixon (#37: 1969 — 1974) also makes the ranks, notably because of his involvement in the Watergate scandal and his eventual resignation from the Office of President. No president should ever end up resigning. I should also note that, although his actions to not necessarily merit a separate entry in this list, President Gerald R. Ford gave President Nixon a full pardon in 1974.
Virtually every president since George Washington has been involved in some sort of corruption or scandal, and I really dislike both those things. Corrupt government officials cause endless torment to people around the world, and while I suppose that's the nature of politics and power, it would be wonderful if corruption would just end. Alas.
Comments
Hmmm....interesting choices. You didn't mention my number one candidate for the worst President of the 20th century. Before revealing my choice, I will have to think more about your submissions.
On a completely unrelated note, I spent several hours today at the bookstore perusing the literary offerings. I love hanging out at the bookstore because I can study everything from European History to the Harvard Business Review all in one afternoon. Curses that I have neither the time nor the money to buy and read every book that piques my interest.
Posted by: arc | June 2, 2006 07:08 PM
Interesting choices. I think that how we evaluate a 'good' president as opposed to a 'bad' president differs significantly from those that are strict party voters. You seem to like honesty and strength. Arc presumably likes competency and effectiveness. I haven't decided yet what my yardsticks will be.
Posted by: tlt | June 2, 2006 08:10 PM