Every morning I do 47 bench presses after my bike ride or walk. And with each raising of the barbell, I name the correct President in sequence. At age 74 (today being my birthday), it helps keep me mentally active. Thanks for this interesting comparison of Benjamin Harrison and Joe Biden.
Wow Gabe- thanks for sharing all of this fascinating research! One thought on the “ one big thing” for future historians about our times. I have begun to date events in my own life as “before pandemic” and “ after pandemic.” Does anyone else do this? I wonder if that may be history’s turning point, in which case Biden may rise in their assessments due to his success helping the country recover from the mismanagement and chaos of his predecessor…
A great point, and one I should have mentioned. I guess the counter-argument would be the 1918 pandemic, which no one views as a turning point today. But Covid is definitely a strong contender for the dominant theme of our era, and opinions on Biden could turn accordingly if that’s the case.
I think President Joe Biden absolutely Will have a Legacy. He'll be known for being a True Patriot and Statesman, basically for his whole adult life.Who stood up for Democracy, and was simply a Decent Human Being. Not to mention, with his leadership, the US avoided a recession and economic collapse, given to him by the last (trump)administration. Thank You, Gabe, for another great piece today, and will reStack ASAP 💯👍🇺🇸
Fascinating. I'm saddened that FDR is being forgotten. That seems beyond belief. JFK, probably more than any other non-Lincoln president has memorable quotes easily attributed to him. Perhaps that will help cement his legacy permanently. If FDR is being forgotten, then what chance does our recent crop of presidents have of maintaining any legacy in the future?
Biden actually had a pretty consistent theme to his policies--restore the economy after COVID, expand American jobs, and deal with climate change. Easy to see how these things are connected--they are long-term issues and voters don't usually give much credit to long-term issues. Certainly the fascinating survey done by the WashU professor you include suggests that's the case. Interesting what a mixed legacy Harrison left behind. I wonder hos his Civil War service affected his priorities. I also didn't know, until I looked him up, that he was a grandson of William Henry Harrison.
As I read today’s post, which I really enjoyed, I could not help thinking that legacy is different based on the years since it happened. As time moves forward, legacy will be compared to more and more years of current history. And it also depends on what kind of society we have in just 50 or 1000 years. In 1000 years, when humanity may have experienced 100 pandemics, it might not be as relevant as it seems to us who lived through this one.
Thank you for an inciteful and entertaining piece. I wonder if the emergence of social media will affect people's memories of presidential tenures going forward. It could either provide a focus for the "one big thing" or create such a cacophony that obscures a particular accomplishment or theme.
Aw Gabe you are incredibly dismissive of Biden. I’ve lived through the Presidencies of all the guys on your list except Truman. Johnson was hated for Viet Nam and Nixon was dumped by his own party but after the orange guy’s 2nd term he will rise a bit more because he actually did some good like the EPA. Carter was in deep shit because so many blamed him for gas prices and scarcity but his contributions to world peace even for actions during his presidency will continue to elevate his standing. And even W will rise a little because he will no longer be seen as the dumbest guy in the White House.
Future historians will see Biden as someone who brought democrats back to the working class — at least those who can read and pay attention to facts. Even now most reputable economists see that US inflation was lower than the other major nations and recognize that supply chain issues were the overwhelming majority of the problem. When folks finally listen to truth rather than lies there will also be recognition that the US economy recovered faster and more fully than all of the other advanced nations. Historians will sort out the lies and recognize his efforts to make the US a leader again. His efforts were mostly geared to the middle class and the working class folks rather than the wealthy and those folks are gonna feel the pain of voting for the orange guy’s and his nefarious sidekicks. Military folks are gonna find out what it means to be destroyed by incompetence and unions are going to feel the wrath of the captains of industry as their protections are stripped away.
Oh and Clinton’s ratings will fall drastically as more people recognize his leadership of the neoliberal dismantling of US manufacturing. He is why democrats lost the working class
I’m certainly not saying that Biden was perfect. No president is no matter how much the mythology tries to cover up their flaws.
My problem with your analysis is that you fail to recognize any positive legacy for Biden. You are only critical despite the facts and that makes for a flawed analysis. Finally it is way too soon to consider Biden’s legacy. He hasn’t even left the White House yet. I’m disappointed in your column. And I’m thinking all you’re really doing is contributing to the misrepresentation of his presidency. Time for some soul searching on why you can’t find anything good to say about the man, especially with the extreme challenges we have facing the country. pS: the senate republicans have already blown off their advice and consent responsibilities
PPS: most Americans know very little factual info about our history. Even in HS most of the history taught is as much mythology as anything. We don’t learn a lot of factual info and objective analysis until college and then only if we take more than the absolutely required class (which was world history when I went to college in the early 70s
There's one more Presidential Farewell Address worth considering besides Washington's and
Eisenhower's: Truman's. It may not have contained an ominous warning and probably not that many people saw it on TV, then a fledgling medium, but it's a straightforward and down to earth review of the President's tenure and a sincere statement of faith in the American experiment.
Every morning I do 47 bench presses after my bike ride or walk. And with each raising of the barbell, I name the correct President in sequence. At age 74 (today being my birthday), it helps keep me mentally active. Thanks for this interesting comparison of Benjamin Harrison and Joe Biden.
I love this! Happy birthday!!
Wow Gabe- thanks for sharing all of this fascinating research! One thought on the “ one big thing” for future historians about our times. I have begun to date events in my own life as “before pandemic” and “ after pandemic.” Does anyone else do this? I wonder if that may be history’s turning point, in which case Biden may rise in their assessments due to his success helping the country recover from the mismanagement and chaos of his predecessor…
A great point, and one I should have mentioned. I guess the counter-argument would be the 1918 pandemic, which no one views as a turning point today. But Covid is definitely a strong contender for the dominant theme of our era, and opinions on Biden could turn accordingly if that’s the case.
Wonderful and full of wonder. Thank you, as always, Gabe.⭐️⭐️⭐️
I think President Joe Biden absolutely Will have a Legacy. He'll be known for being a True Patriot and Statesman, basically for his whole adult life.Who stood up for Democracy, and was simply a Decent Human Being. Not to mention, with his leadership, the US avoided a recession and economic collapse, given to him by the last (trump)administration. Thank You, Gabe, for another great piece today, and will reStack ASAP 💯👍🇺🇸
My architect was I.M. Pei. go figure.
Fascinating. I'm saddened that FDR is being forgotten. That seems beyond belief. JFK, probably more than any other non-Lincoln president has memorable quotes easily attributed to him. Perhaps that will help cement his legacy permanently. If FDR is being forgotten, then what chance does our recent crop of presidents have of maintaining any legacy in the future?
Biden actually had a pretty consistent theme to his policies--restore the economy after COVID, expand American jobs, and deal with climate change. Easy to see how these things are connected--they are long-term issues and voters don't usually give much credit to long-term issues. Certainly the fascinating survey done by the WashU professor you include suggests that's the case. Interesting what a mixed legacy Harrison left behind. I wonder hos his Civil War service affected his priorities. I also didn't know, until I looked him up, that he was a grandson of William Henry Harrison.
Biden is one of the last Statesmen!
I hope he's not one of the last. But yes, he has been a Statesman.
As always very insightful with a touch of humor. My crystal ball says u will go down as a GREAT journalist
As I read today’s post, which I really enjoyed, I could not help thinking that legacy is different based on the years since it happened. As time moves forward, legacy will be compared to more and more years of current history. And it also depends on what kind of society we have in just 50 or 1000 years. In 1000 years, when humanity may have experienced 100 pandemics, it might not be as relevant as it seems to us who lived through this one.
Thank you for an inciteful and entertaining piece. I wonder if the emergence of social media will affect people's memories of presidential tenures going forward. It could either provide a focus for the "one big thing" or create such a cacophony that obscures a particular accomplishment or theme.
Wonderful reflection on presidential legacies and at the same time, a reflection on our chaotic state.
My favorite read of the week! Thank you for the research and for your sense of humor!
My architect guess was Rastrelli, and when you narrowed it to 20th century, Le Corbusier. Who's that Wright fellow?
Aw Gabe you are incredibly dismissive of Biden. I’ve lived through the Presidencies of all the guys on your list except Truman. Johnson was hated for Viet Nam and Nixon was dumped by his own party but after the orange guy’s 2nd term he will rise a bit more because he actually did some good like the EPA. Carter was in deep shit because so many blamed him for gas prices and scarcity but his contributions to world peace even for actions during his presidency will continue to elevate his standing. And even W will rise a little because he will no longer be seen as the dumbest guy in the White House.
Future historians will see Biden as someone who brought democrats back to the working class — at least those who can read and pay attention to facts. Even now most reputable economists see that US inflation was lower than the other major nations and recognize that supply chain issues were the overwhelming majority of the problem. When folks finally listen to truth rather than lies there will also be recognition that the US economy recovered faster and more fully than all of the other advanced nations. Historians will sort out the lies and recognize his efforts to make the US a leader again. His efforts were mostly geared to the middle class and the working class folks rather than the wealthy and those folks are gonna feel the pain of voting for the orange guy’s and his nefarious sidekicks. Military folks are gonna find out what it means to be destroyed by incompetence and unions are going to feel the wrath of the captains of industry as their protections are stripped away.
Oh and Clinton’s ratings will fall drastically as more people recognize his leadership of the neoliberal dismantling of US manufacturing. He is why democrats lost the working class
I’m certainly not saying that Biden was perfect. No president is no matter how much the mythology tries to cover up their flaws.
My problem with your analysis is that you fail to recognize any positive legacy for Biden. You are only critical despite the facts and that makes for a flawed analysis. Finally it is way too soon to consider Biden’s legacy. He hasn’t even left the White House yet. I’m disappointed in your column. And I’m thinking all you’re really doing is contributing to the misrepresentation of his presidency. Time for some soul searching on why you can’t find anything good to say about the man, especially with the extreme challenges we have facing the country. pS: the senate republicans have already blown off their advice and consent responsibilities
PPS: most Americans know very little factual info about our history. Even in HS most of the history taught is as much mythology as anything. We don’t learn a lot of factual info and objective analysis until college and then only if we take more than the absolutely required class (which was world history when I went to college in the early 70s
There's one more Presidential Farewell Address worth considering besides Washington's and
Eisenhower's: Truman's. It may not have contained an ominous warning and probably not that many people saw it on TV, then a fledgling medium, but it's a straightforward and down to earth review of the President's tenure and a sincere statement of faith in the American experiment.
I enjoy and appreciate your insights.
Sincerely,
Tom Harte
Fellow Missourian