Hmm, I’m torn between Polk and Ike. I need to think this one over.
Truman
Truman’s turn. He has made it far further than anyone would have guessed around 1952. I like Ike and Polk and their accomplishments more than Truman’s.
Polk.
Polk.
Eisenhower. Great President but not comparable to the rest.
Hmmm. It comes down to Polk or Eisenhower for me. Polk did everything he set out to do, but both Lincoln (as a congressman) and U.S. Grant (as an Army officer) were very critical of the Mexican War. Eisenhower maintained peace and prosperity for the better part of eight years during the Cold War.
Polk.
Truman. Dewey defeated him.
Eisenhower.
Truman
Truman. I give Eisenhower the edge over Harry because of Ike’s military accomplishments in addition to his presidential ones. Also, I like the idea of breaking up the 1933-61 era (only three Chief Executives in 28 years, a record which will never be equaled unless the Twenty-second Amendment is repealed) and having the Super Six each stand at least somewhat isolated in time.
I’m sad to see I missed the last round, since my vote could have possibly saved Jefferson.
But anyhow, Polk has to go now. I understand how some people argue he was a decisive and effective president and all that, I’m even sympathetic to that line of reasoning, but truthfully this is about as far as that praise should take him. Ultimately the Mexican War was not morally justified on those pretenses and his positive accomplishments do not rank higher than Ike’s. Polk may the best of our mediocre president’s, but he has no more place in this game.
My vote is for Polk.
Polk. I’ll join this bandwagon hoping to quash the anti-Trumanites, at least for a round.
Truman made several great decisions. The Marshall Plan obviously, but also, just to mention one often overlooked, the amphibious assault at Incheon Sept. 1950 which turned the tide of the Korean War: the alternative would have been a dangerous and major withdrawal.
This very risky assault was MacArthur’s idea of course, but was vetoed by the commanding Generals in Washington … or rather all except the one that counted: Commander-in-Chief Truman.
Polk.
Ike
Polk already.
Polk, again. I want to save Truman a couple more rounds.
Polk
I like Polk, but he’s not better than the others remaining.
So, Polk.
Jumping on the Polk wagon.