View Full Version : Is there a chance that there will ever be a widely-loved US President?
RobMoney$
11-27-2009, 12:16 PM
I say no.
With messageboards/blogs/party-slanted networks, etc. so abundant now, it just seems like too many people make too much $$ off of hate... (both left and right) for it to ever happen again.
If it ever happened at all is a matter for debate too, I guess. Every president has had his fair share of detractors.
If you think the answer is yes, what possible scenerio would lead to it?
DroppinScience
11-27-2009, 12:40 PM
Better question: do you really need a "widely-loved" President? How about just an effective President? The detractors will have their say, but the accomplishments can speak for themselves.
I suppose the closest there ever was to a widely-loved President was FDR. Oh yes, he had some really vicious opponents who were convinced he was taking America in a socialist and/or fascist direction, but his initiatives proved to be so effective (i.e. America did not starve) that opposition like that was drowned out.
RobMoney$
11-27-2009, 01:53 PM
I think if a President ever did follow through on a majority of his campaign promises and actually performed the way he promises he will during the campaigns, that he would be widely popular.
And my definition of "widely popular" is anything above 49%.
b i o n i c
11-27-2009, 02:01 PM
i think obama is relatively widely liked, except by those who just dont like black people.. that's as close as we're getting this lifetime i think
Not until they make it illegal.
You gotta remember with Obama, the act he had to follow was Bush - not hard. Speaking as a non-american, he is mainly accepted as 'at least he ain't bush'. He is still far more right-wing than many of the more powerful european countries. I think many countries will stop kissing his ass soon - especially if he walks away from Copenhagen without making a deal.
It will take longer in america for him to start becoming less popular and I dunno how he is doing on the domestic front, but he is starting to dip on the international front.
But the world needs america's power to broker things, not until China become the new super power will the world really change because they'll get things done and since they aren't that democratic, they don't have to get it through a 2nd house or whatever. For better or worse I wouldn't dare guess.
Documad
11-27-2009, 03:53 PM
Better question: do you really need a "widely-loved" President? How about just an effective President? The detractors will have their say, but the accomplishments can speak for themselves.
I suppose the closest there ever was to a widely-loved President was FDR. Oh yes, he had some really vicious opponents who were convinced he was taking America in a socialist and/or fascist direction, but his initiatives proved to be so effective (i.e. America did not starve) that opposition like that was drowned out.
FDR was president for a long time so his popularity must have gone up and down. The economy got worse while he was in office but people rallied round him because of WWII. Overall, I suspect that he wasn't widely loved while he was alive. Maybe my perspective is warped because I was raised in a house where he was loathed (and loathed by grandparents on both sides).
I suspect that JFK was more popular when he was alive, but it's so difficult to tell. I thought JFK was pretty awful but because he was murdered in his first term people were still seeing him with the rose colored glasses and he escaped the blame for Vietnam, etc. I personally like FDR much better. But since I wasn't alive during either presidency, I really don't know. :p
I suspect that Reagan was more widely liked or loved during his presidency than FDR was. I hated Reagan and I can divorce the fake legacy he has now from the reality, but even when he was doing things I hated he seemed fairly popular. It's just a suspicion, based in part on the way he trounced a better man in the 1984 election.
Any1 know out of the most revered presidents which side has the most on - Republics or Democrats?
RobMoney$
11-27-2009, 04:34 PM
Ike was probably the last anyone would considered "well-liked" during his time of service. Mostly due to the fact that people were very patriotic and stood behind him during WWII and the Cold War.
Kennedy (like Lincoln) has been revered after his assasination. Reagan continues to be revered by conservatives, but ask anyone who was member of a labor union during the time of his presidency if they liked Reagan. The guy had more than his fair share of detractors.
Here's my take on everyone since Ike.
35. John F. Kennedy (D) 1961-1963 - shot, absolutely loathed in certain areas (which was the reason he was shot)
36. Lyndon B. Johnson (D) 1963-1969 - seen as a jerk, possible connection to #35
37. Richard M. Nixon (R) 1969-1974 - crook
38. Gerald R. Ford (R) 1974-1977 - seen as clumsy doofus
39. Jimmy Carter (D) 1977-1981 - seen as wimpy doofus
40. Ronald Reagan (R) 1981-1989 - shot, acted with chimps
41. George Bush (R) 1989-1993 - evil genius who threw up on foreigners
42. Bill Clinton (D) 1993-2001 - porked fat chicks
43. George W. Bush (R) 2001-2009 - seen as evil doofus
44. Barack Obama (D) 2009- inexperienced evil muslim commie
ericg
11-27-2009, 05:04 PM
what would you have called ron paul if he was elected?
i think you would have seen some real change then.
yeahwho
11-27-2009, 05:47 PM
Yes that real change would of been exactly the same as before Obama with no healthcare debate.
Change that stays the same and toes the line. The corporate line (http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cid=n00005906&cycle=2010&type=I&newMem=N&recs=0).
yeahwho
11-27-2009, 05:55 PM
On topic President Obama is immensely popular, I would go as far as to say *unprecedented.
The internet does have an immediacy of current issues down to the day. I love reading your guys stuff on here and enjoy being a wise ass myself but I also realize that at any random time before I read what is being said on this Political section of the BBMB the number of people viewing it is almost certainly less than 12. A minuscule microcosm with the significance of a wisp of pollen floating behind a server somewhere in Alberta.
* baa baa baa
Michelle*s_Farm
11-27-2009, 06:27 PM
what would you have called ron paul if he was elected?
i think you would have seen some real change then.
misread -- thought you wrote rupaul (http://www.rupaul.com/);)
ericg
11-27-2009, 06:32 PM
"what" and "shut up" to yeahwho
and to michelles farm "that's not funny"
yeahwho
11-27-2009, 06:41 PM
"what" and "shut up" to yeahwho
and to michelles farm "that's not funny"
Thats it biotch, lets mumble rumble
ericg
11-27-2009, 06:46 PM
i'm pretty sure what i said was appra poe. check it and let me know.
but if you want to battle, go ahead like i sed, you shouldn't take it to the head..
ms.peachy
11-27-2009, 08:17 PM
i'm pretty sure what i said was appra poe.
If what you mean is 'apropos', then no.
DroppinScience
11-27-2009, 11:20 PM
FDR was president for a long time so his popularity must have gone up and down. The economy got worse while he was in office but people rallied round him because of WWII. Overall, I suspect that he wasn't widely loved while he was alive. Maybe my perspective is warped because I was raised in a house where he was loathed (and loathed by grandparents on both sides).
We may need to consult some historians on that, but overall FDR had quite sustained and consistent popularity throughout his presidency and his mid-term elections saw heavy Democratic gains in the House and Senate (maybe later on, Dems lost seats in some elections? ... Can't remember right now).
I can't speak for your family, but it seemed FDR's popularity went something like this. Rich people HATED him with a passion and were convinced he betrayed his own class (he was from a quite wealthy family). Poor people LOVED him and there are stories of his photo being put up in family's and business' walls and were immensely appreciative of him.
I suspect that JFK was more popular when he was alive, but it's so difficult to tell. I thought JFK was pretty awful but because he was murdered in his first term people were still seeing him with the rose colored glasses and he escaped the blame for Vietnam, etc. I personally like FDR much better. But since I wasn't alive during either presidency, I really don't know. :p
Kennedy had ups and downs. After his inauguration, 90% of the country loved him. It had its ups and downs throughout his presidency. Towards the end, his popularity was on the wane. Afterall, the reason he went to Texas was that he was worried he'd lose that state in the '64 election. Of course, after the assassination, everyone loved him which is why I have the conspiracy theory that Kennedy was in on his own assassination since he'd figure it would be a good career move. :p
I suspect that Reagan was more widely liked or loved during his presidency than FDR was. I hated Reagan and I can divorce the fake legacy he has now from the reality, but even when he was doing things I hated he seemed fairly popular. It's just a suspicion, based in part on the way he trounced a better man in the 1984 election.
Despite the mythology, Reagan did have some points in his presidency where he was quite unpopular (around '82 or so he joked that he should have been shot again and then he'd be popular -- and of course in '87 with Iran-Contra, there was a lot of discontent).
yeahwho
11-27-2009, 11:39 PM
There are a lot of differing theories and opinions so I may as well provide my own.
Of the above mention Presidents and including every President elected in the United States, only three have their likeness portrayed as a Chia Pet (http://www.chiapet.com/). Of those three Presidents whose faces adorn the beloved Chia Pet, only one has the honor to say it was so during his tenure.
I rest my case.
Michelle*s_Farm
11-28-2009, 03:26 AM
you've made it big when there is a chia pet in your honor.
ericg
11-28-2009, 05:11 PM
Yes that real change would of been exactly the same as before Obama with no healthcare debate.
Change that stays the same and toes the line. The corporate line (http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cid=n00005906&cycle=2010&type=I&newMem=N&recs=0).
change that stays the same? that's what obama's about.
you're an idiot, but i gotta say with paul you would've seen troops coming home, the fed abolished, hemp legalized, and a multitude of other things once he took office, to include a new 911 investigation.
you think it would've stayed the same without the healthcare bs? you're not tuned in very well are you.
ericg
11-28-2009, 05:17 PM
If what you mean is 'apropos', then no.
oh i beg to differ.
i'm still pretty shure it wuz.
yeahwho
11-28-2009, 07:25 PM
change that stays the same? that's what obama's about.
you're an idiot, but i gotta say with paul you would've seen troops coming home, the fed abolished, hemp legalized, and a multitude of other things once he took office, to include a new 911 investigation.
you think it would've stayed the same without the healthcare bs? you're not tuned in very well are you.
Ron Paul is your man. Him and Ralph Nader have a dream. The only unfortunate thing is as much as these candidates try to gain popularity what they usually gain (multiple others can be added to these two) is the appeal of used toilet paper.
Then when the Republicans did nominate McCain he chose Sarah Palin, who really is uber popular with the electorate.
Outstanding!
I am not going to try and guess your political stance eric but I do know if you like Ron Paul then you must be impressed with the Republican Liberty Caucus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Liberty_Caucus).
abbott
11-29-2009, 11:48 PM
if someone is widely-loved, odds are they will be killed befor haveing a chance at election.
travesty
12-01-2009, 08:42 PM
Not until there is a true conservative elected :D
abbott
12-02-2009, 01:07 PM
Gary Johnson for president 2012
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