In the realm of presidential legacies, President Joe Biden finds himself in a unique position, according to a recent survey of historians. Despite facing challenges in current approval ratings and upcoming elections, Biden’s historical standing seems to be buoyed by one significant achievement: evicting Donald J. Trump from the Oval Office.
Released just ahead of Presidents’ Day weekend, the survey ranks Biden as the 14th-best president in American history. This places him ahead of notable figures such as Woodrow Wilson, Ronald Reagan, and Ulysses S. Grant. While it may not guarantee him a spot on Mount Rushmore, it certainly distinguishes him from his predecessor, Trump, who ranks last as the worst president ever.
The survey, conducted by college professors Justin Vaughn and Brandon Rottinghaus and published in The Los Angeles Times, highlights Biden’s role in restoring a more traditional style of presidential leadership. Moreover, it underscores his efforts to prevent a resurgence of Trump’s influence in the upcoming elections.
However, Trump’s legacy faces harsh criticism from historians, even among self-identified Republican scholars. Ranking 45th overall, Trump trails even presidents who faced significant historical failures, such as James Buchanan, Franklin Pierce, and Andrew Johnson.
Yet, assessing modern-day presidents remains a complex task influenced by contemporary politics. For instance, Barack Obama’s rise in the rankings since 2015 reflects shifting cultural perspectives, particularly regarding racial justice. Similarly, Andrew Jackson’s decline can be attributed to increased scrutiny of his actions against Native Americans.
Interestingly, partisan divides among historians are evident in the rankings. Republican scholars tend to favor Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, while Democratic historians hold Obama in higher regard. Biden’s placement falls within this partisan spectrum, with Democrats ranking him higher than Republicans.
Notably, Bill Clinton emerges as a figure of relative consensus, with minimal partisan differences in his ranking. Despite his centrist politics, Republicans and Democrats largely agree on Clinton’s historical standing, perhaps indicating a nuanced reassessment in the #MeToo era.
Overall, while current political climates shape perceptions of presidents, historical evaluations evolve. As Biden navigates the challenges of his presidency, his legacy may continue to be shaped by both contemporary events and future historical analyses.
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Comparing Cognitive Decline: UBC Professor Identifies Differences Between Trump and Biden
The 2024 US Elections are scheduled for November 5. With Joe B. and Donald T. leading in their respective races, the 2024 elections are likely to be a re-run of 2020’s Trump vs Biden. Concerns have arisen regarding the cognitive abilities of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden due to recent verbal slips.
In another survey Professor Peter Quirk from the University of British Columbia has weighed in on the issue, suggesting that one president exhibits more noticeable signs of “cognitive decline.” Quirk’s remarks, conveyed to Newsweek, indicate that Donald Trump’s cognitive deterioration appears more pronounced compared to Biden’s. However, he also noted the potential consequences of Biden’s cognitive challenges, suggesting they could impact his ability to relinquish control if necessary during a second term.
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