RateItAll: The Opinion Network

He is another great president. He saved the union. He also started the end of slavery.

He did the country a great deed.

to Jjzz, I would be weary of any leader wh has teh reputation of never lying. Everyone lies and as they say they best liars never lie, but if thats too over your head, it means that perhaps he was such a great liar that everyone believed him. Hitler had the same reputation to the germans that Lincoln has to America. And to the last writer, the confederates were forced to fire on sumpter because they legally had rights to it. The union soldiers were invading it, a piece of information not usually taught and that changes the whole perspective. You can't make it as simple as, "well anyone who frees slaves is a hero in my book." First off he didn't free anyone (thats right, the emancipation proclamation only applied to those states not yet conquered by the union which means they couldn't control them therefore making the proclamation a useless piece of lip flapping). Secondly lincoln had no intention of freeing slaves and he even wrote to horace greely, editor of the new york tribune and personal friend that, "If I could end the war without freeing a single negro, I would do so." It is illogical reasoning being used when saying that "he is a hero in my book if he frees slaves" The war f the northern aggression only prolonged slavery and helped keep it alive. Please do your research before coming onto this message board so that you may understand all ramifications of this war, then make your judgements. This war was not so black and white as slavery and not slavery. Listen im only 19 years old and I'm mature enough not to say something as lame as "death to all yankees" or even worst, "if you think Lincoln stinks, you stink" However I would have loved to fight for states rights back then unlike any war we have today where its all about money, there is no goal. But I'll leave you with this, "Sic Semper Tyrannus!" in the words of the true well intentioned great emancipator, John Wilkes Booth.

Lincoln had no choice but to go to war all you Condederate lovers. I'm pretty sure the south REBELLED then ATTACKED Fort Sumter. So we therefore had to retaliate and fight back. I do respect the southern heritage and culture however. But Lincoln is an inspiration to me. A great world leader.

Any person that does his best to free people from slavery forced upon them by the ppl who kidnapped them from their homeland, get a "great" review in my mind

The man had courage!

If this thing had six stars, I'd have give him more. One of the three greatest Americans in our country's history.

Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, he was honest, never lied, was honest, he always wanted to help people, (to all people who think he stinks=YOUR TRASH!)

UPDATE: The historians are really doing a number on him, and I have to admit making some points that I had not considered before. I am considering reducing from 4 to a 3.

ORIGINAL COMMENT: He had to react. I would hope that his gross violations of the Constitution would have been remedied in his second term. The revisionists are starting to take the hide off him.

Trying to keep the Union together at all moral cost, cost Abe a star here.

Brilliant and self made, patient and kind. Greta orator, but more concerned with actions than appearances. Kept our country together AND freed the slaves (at least on paper).

Whether by accident, on purpose or coersion, he wound up making the decision that was hands down the greatest in terms of shaping an America with less adversity than others in terms of rights for people regardless of race.

Destroyed a once great republic

Lincoln was a racists, Power monger, Tyrant. Who trampled the Constitution. Invaded an independent nation in order to collect taxes that were slipping from the grasp of the north. Lincoln did not free the slaves ! John Wilks Booth did so.

A great President because he was not a politician! He did what he had to do to preserve the union.

What ever he done may be good for America but I don't think he had made good for the future world people.

I find it very interesting that the amateur revisionist historians on this site are overlooking the fact that the CSA started the Civil War by firing on Fort Sumter. Moreover, the armies of CSA, buoyed by their early military successes, briefly considered attacking Washington DC and conquering the entire United States. The Civil War, from the Union perspective, was predominantly defensive in nature when it began. Further, I am sick and tired of Southerners, in 2007 no less, still railing against Lincoln's horrible abuses of the US Constitution and his rough-shod treatment of states' rights. No, the Consitution doesn't allow a state to violently secede. You can say that it does, but it doesn't. What was Lincoln suppposed to do? Stand idly by while Southern armies ransacked the North and imposed slavery from Delaware to Maine? And what was he supposed to do after the Union army had recaptured Confederate military conquests? Should he have left the hostile CSA and it's army intact so that it could continually attack the Union? No, he should have done what he did, and he did it well. And any Constitutional "abuses" that can be cited are, in reality, allowed in time of war. Today, 142 years after the end of the Civil War, American Southerners have to somehow accept that they initiated a war to defend their own racist, self-serving, inhuman practices. To advance any other collective hypothesis is to practice the most ridiculous sort of self-deception and historical revisionism.

Lincoln was the greatest president as he had to deal with the worst crisis in the countrys history. Lincoln was not responsible for starting the Civil War. It was the slaveholders. Their hand picked president Jeff Davis deliberated started a shooting war by firing on Sumpter to encourage the upper south to join the confederacy. Lincoln showed great restraint. Despite illegal seizure of all Federal property in the South but Sumpter and 3 smaller forts, Lincoln attempted to find a way of peacefully encouraging Southern Unionists which he falsely believed could influence the seceded states to rejoin the union. Once Davis attacked Sumpter the Civil War Genie was out of the bottle. So over 600,000 Americans died because the south felt they could no longer guarantee the growth of slavery. The south had controlled the federal government from 1791 until 1861. It was only when Lincoln was elected without slave state support that the south lost control of the government which they had used to protect slavery including trampling on states rights when it suited them. Southerners, at times, favored a strong federal government as evidenced by the fugitive slave law ,which was upheld by the Southern dominated supreme court. The also favored and were successful in using the Federal government to censor free speech when they wanted to ban use of the US mail to deliver anything they found subversive. The Southern states only used the argument that secession was legal when the free states finally had control of the national government. No one north or south supported this theory until 1860. There were no Independent States or a voluntary union until the south lost control of the Federal Government. Slavery was not becoming uneconomical. The market value of the four million slaves in 1860 was $3 billion more than the value of land, cotton or anyting else in the south and more than was invested in manufacturing and railroads in the whole United States. Lincoln and the vast majority of northerners felt if they let the south secede, it would show the world that democracy as a form of government was not viable. There was no major constitutional right which Lincoln ignored. Lincoln did not threaten the existence of slavery anywhere it existed in 1861. The argument about tariffs was a false issue since the south had many proponents of strong protective tariffs.The American Civil War was the greatest crisis in American history. The fact that Lincoln managed to hold the nation together despite the Civil War brought about by the slaveholders, makes him the best president in US History.

Rode roughshod over the constitution, suspended civil liberties with draconian whim, and regarded blacks as a "nuisance"

That being said, his task was to preserve the Union, and win the war, and he accomplished that. Ignoring some of his methods, this was an honorable task, albeit not always accomplished in an honorable way.

I suspect that he would have corrected the constitutional and legal violations that he created in his second term, but the cavalier ease with which he instituted them has always troubled me.

Yes, Lincoln may have violated the Constitution, but in doing so he took a somewhat backward republic and turned it into the global democracy we are proud of today. He recognized the limits of the legalistic thinking that was always willing to find some clause to protect the rights of slaveowners while ignoring the more basic and universal rights of humanity. Yes, it is true that he did not hold blacks in as high esteem as we would wish, but we should recognize that this was part of his strategy of incorporating the views of the opposition -- even in beginning the war was careful not to speak too much of the divisive issue of slavery in the hope that some Southerners would refuse to join the Confederacy. Remarkably, he managed to adhere to his radical principle of equality while also ensuring that all viewpoints were considered. Lincoln is our only president whose greatness is beyond question.

BEST. PRESIDENT. EVER.

I mean most of the other "good ones" had a bad side that was kept in the shadows...But Honest Abe? Nothing.
He was simply the best.

I, being a Canadian, do not know so much about American presitants but from what ive heard about him it seems he must have been a pretty important guy who changed a whole lot of what America would be today.

I don't understand why he is the highest rated president on here, he was a federalist who fought a devastating war to destroy a constituional right and to make his party and the federal government dominant. He used thousands of men from the north and immigrants in a false war to "save the union" He was also to put it bluntly a racist, who had no use for blacks. A master politican, that everyone views as a demigod.

Abraham Lincoln was the most divisive, tyrannical and power hungry president in American history. Because of his lust for power more than 620,000 people died in an unnecessary war. Lincoln was a racist bigot who used the "N" word and wanted to send the Negroes back to Africa. Even he admitted that his Emancipation Proclamation was a political ploy that did not free a single slave. That didn't come about until the 13th ammendment was passed after the War Between the States was over and Lincoln was dead.

Unfortunately, history is written by the victors of war and for 150 years most people have heard only the Federal spin on the War Between the States. Most Americans would be greatly enlightened to make an honest balanced study of history and learn the real truth about Lincoln.

A good place to start would be by reading "The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War, by Thomas Dilorenzo

Honest Abe, freed the slaves

I would not have supported every decision that he made but give credit where credit is due, he held the nation together in one of the greatest struggles in American History.

a great man who gave up his life for his beliefs. an inspiration for us all.

The most overrated American president. The Great Emancipator planned to send the slaves to Liberia after the war, stating that they would be a burden on society, and thinking of them as vastly inferior human beings. He should have simply let the South go its own way. Eventually slavery would have died out as the industrial revolution gained momentum and the southern states would probably have asked to be readmitted. The Constitution did not forbid cecession and he violated the Constitution by going to war to stop it.

Lincoln started an avoidable war- a war that cost more than 650,000 American lives. He suspended Habeas Corpus and censored the press. These things represent the greatest US President?

"The Great Emancipator" was really a power hungry tyrannical scumbag that had people imprisoned, whisked away, deported and more than likely murdered for having anti-war views, either written or verbal. Slavery would have died out in the south anyway, it was unethical and immoral. As a result of the north winning the Civil War, the federal government began the trend of assuming more and more control of our lives (a trend that continues today) and the rights of states became almost nonexistent.

Without a doubt the greatest United States President. Went from living in a log cabin to being President of the United States. Truly a man of the people. Helped the United States get through the darkest period of the countries exhistence, the Civil War. The only thing I wish Lincoln had done was come out and say he was against slavery during the 1860 Presidential Election instead of staying neutral on the issue.

I have said that President Lincoln was a white man, and shared the prejudices common to his countrymen towards the colored race. Looking back to his times and to the condition of his country, we are compelled to admit that this unfriendly feeling on his part may be safely set down as one element of his wonderful success in organizing the loyal American people for the tremendous conflict before them, and bringing them safely through that conflict. His great mission was to accomplish two things: first, to save his country from dismemberment and ruin; and, second, to free his country from the great crime of slavery. To do one or the other, or both, he must have the earnest sympathy and the powerful cooperation of his loyal fellow-countrymen. Without this primary and essential condition to success his efforts must have been vain and utterly fruitless. Had he put the abolition of slavery before the salvation of the Union, he would have inevitably driven from him a powerful class of the American people and rendered resistance to rebellion impossible. Viewed from the genuine abolition ground, Mr. Lincoln seemed tardy, cold, dull, and indifferent; but measuring him by the sentiment of his country, a sentiment he was bound as a statesman to consult, he was swift, zealous, radical, and determined . . .

Upon his inauguration as President of the United States, an office, even when assumed under the most favorable condition, fitted to tax and strain the largest abilities, Abraham Lincoln was met by a tremendous crisis. He was called upon not merely to administer the Government, but to decide, in the face of terrible odds, the fate of the Republic.

A formidable rebellion rose in his path before him; the Union was already practically dissolved; his country was torn and rent asunder at the center. Hostile armies were already organized against the Republic, armed with the munitions of war which the Republic had provided for its own defense. The tremendous question for him to decide was whether his country should survive the crisis and flourish, or be dismembered and perish. His predecessor in office had already decided the question in favor of national dismemberment, by denying to it the right of self-defense and self-preservation--a right which belongs to the meanest insect.

Happily for the country, happily for you and for me, the judgment of James Buchanan, the patrician, was not the judgment of Abraham Lincoln, the plebeian. He brought his strong common sense, sharpened in the school of adversity, to bear upon the question. He did not hesitate, he did not doubt, he did not falter; but at once resolved that at whatever peril, at whatever cost, the union of the States should be preserved.

~ Frederick Douglass (April 14, 1876)

If Lincoln had managed to win a traditional war against the South, I'd have been willing to call him great, but he only managed to fight the Confederation down because he consented to an escalation of the conflict into a totally new form of war, and also to a severe restriction of civil rights. I will readily concede that Lincoln's personal achievements as a man of humble roots were tremendous, and that he was the best man for President in 1861, but in my opinion he lacked realism and took an irresponsibly high and uncalculable risk: fighting an enemy whose strength could be perceived as dangerous. The victory in the Mexican war, just about a dozen years ago, was owed mainly to the efforts of the South, and lots of experienced Generals were still available. Three stars for at least getting through the Nation's ordeal within his presidency.

A fascinating, eloquent, and original visionary, Lincoln was the right man at the right time; probably the finest mind ever to occupy the White House, his humble roots are all the more astonishing. America would have been spared much of the 100 years of enmity after the Civil War had he lived.

The greatest American
president and the noblest

This man accomplished so much all the while battling depression.

Probably the best President- because he saved the Union- and ended slavery- but the scars from that civil war, remain today in the geographic differences that persist in the USA- so in retrospect that preservation of the union now is questionable, considering the deep chasm that now exists in the nation. The country today is even more divided then before, during and after the civil war, on a plethora of cultural and still racial issues. Nonetheless Lincoln's tenacity, courage and character stand tall today.

Lincoln basically ignored the Constitution, usurped the power of the State Republics and while he helped bring freedom to those poor souls enslaved in this nation, that was a political expediant ploy used to gain support for a war waged against what was up until that time: Independent States which formed a voluntary union under the contract of the Constitution. Slavey was rapidly becoming un-economical and would have eventually become an obsolete system. Lincoln was not concerned about the slaves, but about maintaining power over a consolidated union. The war was not a civil war, but a war between independent states which had, in times past, formed a union which some no longer wished to be enjoined. This was the first of many usurpations that the federal government imposed over the States.

I guess it depends on what part of the nation you are from.Here in the north,he is a hero.Down South,probably not.He held the union together and that was his prime motivation for the civil war.As he said,if he had to make all states slave states to hold the Union together he would do that.Eventually,he grew to hate slavery.He succeeded a whole platoon of weak presidents who were proslavery. Like President Bush,he was criticized heavily by political opponents and praised by friends.He did suspend habeas corpus which began a slippery slope that some other Presidents exploited.That is why I do not give Honest Abe a 5.But he deserves 4 1/2 stars for holding this nation together during a unique and frightening war.

One of America's finest presidents, even though it was rumored that he was a gay male and he enjoyed wrestling in the nude.

Abraham Lincoln showed that you can be both strong and lenient at the same time. He lead America through its darkest hour. Through his steadfast devotion to both his country and God, he kept the nation together. When the confederacy finally surrendurred, it was Lincoln who jump-started the reconstruction period. He did not punish or fine the south at all. We need strong presidents like he and George Bush through troubling times.

Most over rated President of all time. What did he really do? He dominated the South in weapons, supplies and everything and still almost lost the Civil Law. And NO. He did NOT free the slaves. The Emancipation Proclomation stated that SOUTHERN SLAVES be free. Well guess what? We were in war with them so obviously laws that he imposed on them had NO EFFECT. So really no slaves got freed with this document and he didn't even care one way or the other if they even were free. Only Reason I gave him 2 stars because at least he knew he had to keep the North and South together. But people only rate him high because he was president during a tough time.

got rid of habeous corpus?!?

**im trying to get your vote on my government project. if u think its "A" quality, please send me a message** Abraham Lincoln, or Honest Abe, is the best and most outstanding American President from 1776-now in my opinion. His persistence and determination to succeed, his resilience, his ability to overcome setbacks, his willingness to ignore and forgive hostile criticism, ridicules and underestimation from his friends or opponents, his self-confidence as revealed by his bold decision to appoint almost all his former unfriendly political rivals to cabinet, including William Seward, Salmon Chase and others he even appointed Chase Chief Justice (who was responsible for making the Dread Scott Decision) after Toneys death in 1865 after Chase's previous unsuccessful attempt to replace him as the presidential candidate for the 1864 election. His will to use force to defend Federal Law or the Union. The way his law partner talked about him his ambition was a little engine that knew no rest, Abrahams refusal to submit to setbacks and difficulties, with anger towards none, and wanted charity for all. That pretty much secured him one of the top position in the ratings of all presidents. Lincoln did the right thing going to war to keep the Union together. Yes, he expanded the powers of the federal government but he had no choice. His enemies many of whom favored a smaller government, need to look at Lincoln in the context of the times. Lincoln did what needed to be done. He also issued the emancipation proclamation on January 1, 1863, in which declared forever that slaves be freed within the Country. And don't forget his humble background. He was born in the wilderness and had gone bankrupt twice in his early life. He had been defeated for Senate and in other elections multiple times, and held a congressional seat for only one term. He came to the White House Office in 1860 with less experience, prestige, and wealth than any other presidents in US history. That he could overcome all this insufficiency and do such a great job as saving the union and winning the civil war which cost more lives than any other wars in American history. He has surely been one of the greatest presidents in us history along with Washington, Roosevelt, Wilson, and Thomas Jefferson. and also if people are to rate this president as "terrible" then they are more than likely FROM THE SOUTH "stupid racists"

Fought the war hard, but wanted a gentle reconciliation after it was won. Led America through its darkest hour, while suffering a string of his own personal tragedies. He did free the slaves in the slave states, and started the long process of civil rights for blacks.

Let's just say that George W. Bush wasn't the first president to trample on large chunks of the constitution under the guise of security and national emergency. Granted, the circumstances in Lincoln's day were extraordinary, but whether he needed to go to the lengths he did is questionable. People always tend to overreact in times of crisis, after all. Yes, you say, but look at the end result. Sure, the United States became a singular expression instead of a plural one (in other words, the nation became much stronger and more united, rather than a squabbling collection of powerful states threatening secession over innumerable petty slights), and slavery came to an end. But that doesn't mean the ends justified the means. The 10th Amendment was all but snuffed out, and Hamilton's vision of a powerful central government finally prevailed, setting the stage for future presidents (like FDR) to build the federal bureaucracy into a freedom-smothering juggernaut. Beginning with Lincoln, the era of small government was officialy over.

Advanced the cause of civil rights and human dignity.

He was a terrific president worthy of our praise for generations to come!

Lincoln, or Honest Abe/ Father Abraham, is surely the best and most outstanding American President from 1776-now. His persistence and determination to succeed, his resilience, his ability to overcome setbacks, his willingness to ignore and forget/forgive hostile criticism, ridicules and underestimation from his friends/opponents, his self-confidence as revealed by his bold decision to appoint almost all his former unfriendly political rivals to cabinet, including William Seward, Salmon Chase and others(he even appointed Chase Chief Justice after Taney's (who was responsible for making the Dred Scott Decision) death in 1865 after Chase's previous unsuccessful attempt to replace him as the presidential candidate for the 1864 election) , his refusal to submit to setbacks and difficulties, with malice towards none, with charity for all.....secured him the top position in the ratings of all presidents from George Washington to George W Bush. And don't forget his humble background-- he was born in obscurity and had gone bankrupt twice in his early life. He had been defeated for Senate and in other elections multiple times, and held a congressional seat for only one term, came to the White House Office in 1860 with less experience, prestige, and wealth than any other presidents in US history. That he could overcome all this insufficiency and do such a great job as saving the union and winning the civil war which cost more lives than any other wars in American history, against the odds, surely merits our recognition and his place in American history along with Washington, Roosevelt, and Reagan. Personally, I would rate him as #1 in the US presidential rankings, before #2 Washington, and #3 Franklin D Roosevelt, #4 Dwight D Eisenhower Ike (both best military commander in world history and one of the most respected president in American history---this is rare...remember how Grant was a brilliant general who saved the union from defeat in the Civil War, Taft was a brilliant judge, but they were both not as good being presidents). P.S. Would it be more fun if going more global in the ratings/comparisons, I mean, comparing US presidents with other historical giants, like British Prime Ministers or 20th century leaders and revolutionaries (Lenin, Stalin and Mao Zedong). How about compare Washington, Jefferson with Lenin, or compare Lincoln with Churchill and Stalin? Which one of them makes a more successful leaders? (or compare Napoleon and Hitler with Alexander the Great, compare Mao with Bismarck, or with Roosevelt? Would the good be able to outweigh the evil? Eisenhower+ John C. Marshall VS Mao + Deng (who are utterly evil), Roosevelt VS Hitler, Churchill VS Stalin, Lincoln VS Lenin, Washington VS Mao, Napoleon VS Pol Pot, Haha!!!

Lincoln, or Honest Abe/ Father Abraham, is surely the best and most outstanding American President from 1776-now. His persistence and determination to succeed, his resilience, his ability to overcome setbacks, his willingness to ignore and forget/forgive hostile criticism, ridicules and underestimation from his friends/opponents, his self-confidence as revealed by his bold decision to appoint almost all his former unfriendly political rivals to cabinet, including William Seward, Salmon Chase and others(he even appointed Chase Chief Justice after Taney's (who was responsible for making the Dred Scott Decision) death in 1865 after Chase's previous unsuccessful attempt to replace him as the presidential candidate for the 1864 election) , his refusal to submit to setbacks and difficulties, with malice towards none, with charity for all.....secured him the top position in the ratings of all presidents from George Washington to George W Bush. And don't forget his humble background-- he was born in obscurity and had gone bankrupt twice in his early life. He had been defeated for Senate and in other elections multiple times, and held a congressional seat for only one term, came to the White House Office in 1860 with less experience, prestige, and wealth than any other presidents in US history. That he could overcome all this insufficiency and do such a great job as saving the union and winning the civil war which cost more lives than any other wars in American history, against the odds, surely merits our recognition and his place in American history along with Washington, Roosevelt, and Reagan. Personally, I would rate him as #1 in the US presidential rankings, before #2 Washington, and #3 Franklin D Roosevelt, #4 Dwight D Eisenhower Ike (both best military commander in world history and one of the most respected president in American history---this is rare...remember how Grant was a brilliant general who saved the union from defeat in the Civil War, Taft was a brilliant judge, but they were both not as good being presidents). P.S. Would it be more fun if going more global in the ratings/comparisons, I mean, comparing US presidents with other historical giants, like British Prime Ministers or 20th century leaders and revolutionaries (Lenin, Stalin and Mao Zedong). How about compare Washington, Jefferson with Lenin, or compare Lincoln with Churchill and Stalin? Which one of them makes a more successful leaders? (or compare Napoleon and Hitler with Alexander the Great, compare Mao with Bismarck, or with Roosevelt? Would the good be able to outweigh the evil? Eisenhower+ John C. Marshall VS Mao + Deng (who are utterly evil), Roosevelt VS Hitler, Churchill VS Stalin, Lincoln VS Lenin, Washington VS Mao, Napoleon VS Pol Pot, Haha!!!

Who the hell gave Abe Lincoln a 1?

After the South left the Union and threw a tizzy fit because they couldn't get their way with regards to slavery (make no mistake, the South left because of slavery--the states's rights idea perpetuated by neo-Confederates is a myth), Lincoln did the right thing going to war to keep the Union together. Yes, he expanded the powers of the federal government but he had no choice. His detractors, many of whom favor small government, need to look at Lincoln in the context of the times. Lincoln did what needed to be done. He is second only to Washington in presidential greatness.

he was a great man should be everybodys idol he did many great deeds for this country

The freeing of the slaves, whatever his motivation, was a good thing. Not clear if fighting the civil war was a good idea. I sometimes wonder if it wouldnt have been better for all concerned to have let the south secede and become its own nation. Keeping it together certainly came at a staggering cost in terms of lives lost.

Possibly the best President and American of all time. If it wasn't for Abe, we might not be sitting here today.

He was a man of integrity,honesty and had a respect for individual rights and human freedom.He was responsible for declaring Thanksgiving a National Holiday,establishing the U.S. department of Agriculture and he helped to develope the West with the Homestead Act.Of course you all know about the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclaimation.It would be safe to put him in the top 3 Presidents.

How Abraham Lincoln should not be considered anything less than this nation's greatest President is beyond absurdity. Without this great man, there simply would be no United States today. It is true that Lincoln was a controversial figure in his day, exercising extraordinary powers during his Presidency. And Lincoln seemed largely ambivalent at the beginning of his administration to the issue of slavery. However, Lincoln quickly found his mission, as Commander-in-Chief, to preserve and protect his then-rapidly-dividing nation. And as he grew weary over the tragedy of the Civil War, Lincoln began to fully understand the magnitude of slavery and how it tore the United States apart. It is probably safe to say he became an abolitionist as the war exacted a heavier toll on the nation. Notwithstanding the Emancipation Proclamation (which today is considered by many historians to be the greatest political speech written), or his brilliance as the unquestioned leader of an administration full of extremely ambitious individuals, Lincoln proved himself to be the savior of the Union cause- and moreover his country. As such, Lincoln deserves his lofty perch as the greatest of all American Presidents. He honestly was, and to say he isn't is to deny the reality of it.