# Greatest living American elimination game (game thread) **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [June 16, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715 "2025-06-16T19:12:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 25
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/481 "2025-08-18T21:15:08Z")
**Obama** ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/482 "2025-08-18T21:16:51Z")
Fauci ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/483 "2025-08-18T21:23:06Z")
Fauci ---
**Author:** ![MacDoc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/macdoc/32/18696_2.png) [@MacDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacDoc)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/484 "2025-08-18T21:36:27Z")
**Fauci** tho he was a hero ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/485 "2025-08-18T21:53:41Z")
Obama for his drone terror campaign. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/486 "2025-08-18T22:17:31Z")
Obama ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/487 "2025-08-18T23:33:47Z")
Obama ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2025, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/488 "2025-08-19T00:09:20Z")
Fauci ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2025, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/489 "2025-08-19T00:14:56Z")
If it weren’t for Obama, my daughter still wouldn’t be able to get health insurance, so **Fauci.** ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/490 "2025-08-19T00:40:38Z")
Fauci. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2025, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/491 "2025-08-19T00:45:31Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I nominated Barack Obama in the first place, and believe that he is - for all his flaws - the Greatest Living American. I don’t know who the real Greatest Living American is, but you’ll never get me to believe (s)he’s a politician. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2025, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/492 "2025-08-19T14:40:35Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > I don’t know who the real Greatest Living American is, but you’ll never get me to believe (s)he’s a politician. Yeah, I’d agree. I also find Obama’s silence on Trump deafening. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/493 "2025-08-20T02:43:49Z")
You don’t say. > **[Obama blasts 'bizarre' Trump claim of 2016 election 'treason'](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedgqnp897lo)** > > The ex-president slammed claims that he suppressed intelligence as "a weak attempt at distraction". > **[ICYMI: President Obama Blasts Donald Trump For Spreading Lies About Hurricane...](https://climatepower.us/news/icymi-president-obama-blasts-donald-trump-for-spreading-lies-about-hurricane-relief-efforts/)** > > Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, at a rally in Pittsburgh, President Obama reminded us of the consequences of Donald Trump’s dangerous disinformation campaign. > **[Obama blasts Trump for not being considered a 'serious guy' in his home state...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/05/01/obama-blasts-trump-serious-new-york/73529028007/)** > > Former President Barack Obama knocked ex-President Donald Trump in an interview, saying he wasn't considered a “serious guy” in New York. > **[DNC 2020: Obama blasts Trump's 'reality show' presidency](https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-53844037)** > > Mr Obama depicts his successor as lazy and incompetent. Mr Trump says Mr Obama inflicted "horror" on the US. > **[Obama Blasts Trump in Harshest Rebuke Yet: 'How Hard Can That Be, Saying That...](https://people.com/politics/barack-obama-donald-trump-capitalizing-resentment/)** > > Barack Obama returned to the campaign trail on Friday with his harshest rebuke yet of his successor, President Donald Trump ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/494 "2025-08-20T02:48:02Z")
I mean, that’s all campaign or election stuff, isn’t it? I read the question as, what is Obama doing now to fight against this growing reign of fascism? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/495 "2025-08-20T02:56:05Z")
Well, **madmonk28** disliked “Obama’s silence on Trump,” which is clearly a misconception. And from 2018-2025, “all campaign or election stuff”? He’s a former POTUS. What more would you have him do? ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/496 "2025-08-20T03:03:23Z")
Fauci ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/497 "2025-08-20T04:40:46Z")
Fauci ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/498 "2025-08-20T16:30:11Z")
Our votes this round: Anthony Fauci: Physician, immunologist, scientist - 9 votes Barack Obama: President, statesman, lawyer - 4 votes Dr. Anthony Fauci is a remarkable physician and longtime public servant who arguably did more than anyone else to get his country safely through the COVID pandemic, to say nothing of his earlier work during the AIDS crisis. I’d say he can be proud of having come in second only to the 44th President of the United States in Dopers’ estimation as the Greatest Living American. And so, our winner: Barack Obama: President, statesman, lawyer **Eliminated** 1. Jim Gaffigan: Comedian, author, commentator 2. Craig Ferguson: Polymath, director-writer, comedian 3. Mitt Romney: Senator, impeachment juror 4. Buzz Aldrin: Second on Moon 5. Taylor Swift: Musician, songwriter, icon 6. Tim Walz: Honorable political messenger 7. Simone Biles: GOAT gymnast 8. Judy Blume: Children’s literature icon 9. Amanda Gorman: Poet, activist, prodigy 10. Jim Lovell: Apollo 13 astronaut 11. Spike Lee: Filmmaker, Knicks fan 12. Janet Yellen: Economist, Treasury secretary 13. Magic Johnson: Superstar, survivor, inspiration 14. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Athlete, writer, activist 15. Amory Lovins: Physicist, energy activist 16. Steven Spielberg: Director, writer, entertainer 17. MacKenzie Scott: Philanthropist, prize-winning novelist 18. Mark Kelly: Senator, astronaut, aviator 19. Stephen King: Great American writer 20. Bruce Springsteen: Singer, songwriter, activist 21. Warren Buffett: Level-headed billionaire 22. Bill Gates: Futurist, philanthropist, billionaire 23. Bob Dylan: Poet of generation 24. Jesse Jackson: Civil rights leader 25. Bernie Sanders: Democratic Socialist leader 26. Joe Biden: President, uniter, overcomer 27. Elizabeth Warren: Fighting political foes 28. José Andrés: Humanitarian, chef 29. Dolly Parton: Artist, humanitarian 30. Anthony Fauci: Physician, immunologist, scientist My thanks to all who participated! I had fun and learned a lot, and hope you did, too. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/499 "2025-08-20T16:40:48Z")
I obviously don’t think it was near enough. Remember them yucking it up at Carter’s funeral? He has failed to show leadership on what is the greatest crisis any living American has faced. Your thinking that I wasn’t aware of what he has said on Trump is a misconception on your part. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/500 "2025-08-20T16:41:31Z")
Thanks for putting it together. I found the iterative nature made me think, rethink, and think yet again about how I define greatness. Once it got down to the last few, however, I really needed to sharpen my pencil. Personally, I was less swayed by the accomplishments of career politicians than of ‘regular people’ (loosely defined), because I tend to believe that career politicians are not in it for purely altruistic motives. I don’t really consider Warren a career politician: IMO, she’s a reluctant politician. Andrés and Parton, OTOH, see needs and fill them. As for Fauci, I think he’d have been happy being an anonymous advocate for science known only to those that needed to know. I guess I feel about this outcome pretty much the same way I felt about Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize: Did he really deserve it? Probably not, but I’m not going to argue too much with it, either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715.md?page=26)