RateItAll: The Opinion Network

I believe he was a good president but he took a lot of power away from states.

Fought the Trusts, started the conservation movment, God we could use him today.

My personal favorite president because he was such a knowledgable person and helped shape the country in a very sucessful way.

I think what he was doing for the US social system was good, but why do "we" have to attempt to dominante every country we don't agree w/?

Created our National Parks system, and Fair employment in Federal Civil Service.

Bully for you, T.R.!

A little overrated. Loses a point for not pushing Women's Suffrage more.

Independent spirit. Started the conservation movement (we have national parks thanks to him). Busted up monopolies. We need a guy like this now...

The Best President of the 20th Century. He settled the Coal Strike of 1902. His Square Deal helped middle class citizens. T.R. fought against Big Business and monopolies which earned him the nickname "Trust Buster". Roosevelt also increased the size of the Navy and won the Nobel Peace Prize for helping negotiate the end of the Russo-Japanese War. He pushed Congress to pass the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, as well as the Meat Inspection Act of 1906 which promised Americans clean and safe food. Theodore Roosevelt's Foreign policy made the U.S. into a world power because of the Panama Canal. And lets not forget his Conservationist.

A relentless self-promoter, and fearless leader, TR is one of the greatest peacetime presidents in this country's history. A strong conservative, his approach to foreign policy was best summed up by, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." TR had no extreme blemishes throughout his presidency.

I'm sorry, I just refuse to give more than 2 stars to a racist.

arguably best of the 20th century

TR was one of the greatest presidents in American history. He seemed to have some good conservative qualities along with some good liberal qualities, the perfect combination. He helped spearhead the Progressive movement with his trust busting and his Square Deal policy. He was a great man who dedicated his life to the presidency and helping America.

Sorrowfully, I have to move Teddy from 4 to three stars. He was an imperialist and a war-monger but he had style.

We still have an imperial hangover from that era but more of it is from McKinley than Teddy.

I really love Teddy, but I just have to be realistic. I am a sucker for style.

Not sure if I would rate TR 3rd or place him in a tie for 2nd best Pres. ever. Many have commented on what he did for our economy, conservation, trade, fairness, etc. I don't know that he would be "viable" as a candidate today however- he was honest, forthright, and truly cared about his country and the American people. Is that still legal?

The greatest President this country has ever had during peacetime. He was a conservative, GOD fearing man. A Republican who broke business monoplies, passed legislation for the Pure Food and Drug Act, worked for labor rights, fought for the preservation of our natural resources and national parks, understood for the necessity of a strong military. My only disagreement with him is that he would have done better to sit out of the 1912 election and wait until 1916 when he could have fully captured the nomination. The split in 1912 only resulted in the election of Woodrow Wilson. If you look at the 1916 election results it was very close. If Roosevelt had run in 1916 (and got the Republican nomination) he would have whipped Wilson up one side and down the other. If we could only have a man like this in office today. (He's my favorite political figure in American history)

this guy was a true leader not someone who had to lie to get to be voted theodore was a true american a real idol now everyone says there gonna do something then they don't its dumb i would do it i think at least i would try to do it seriously i hate it we pay money and think its going to that then its not i don't like how they can do that to you

I keep back the "great" rating only because of T.R.'s personal violent streak; otherwise, the very model of an inspiring, courageous, and visionary leader who busted the big moony trusts and gave us almost eight years of peace with power.

My favorite thing about Teddy Roosevelt is that he invented the 6 month apartment lease. I remember when William "Applesauce" McKinley couldn't afford a one year lease....well to make a long story short, Teddy Roosevelt had the answer. 5 stars everybody!!!!!!!!! Now please, someone write me a testimonial or a recommendation.

One of the better Presidents- and probably along with Wilson, the best from 1900-1932.
The last of the 'Progressive Republicans' of the late 19th and early 20th century, he was a firm protector of the environment (which is a far cry of the most of the Republican party today) And was largely anti business, preferring to protect the common person from the greedy excesses of big corporations. He bolted from the GOP in 1912 and ran under the 'Bull Moose' party, when the republicans and Taft became too pro business and conservative.

He might have been mostly responsible for saving the zgrand canyon and other natural wonders. can you imagine the US without these great parks?

Good strong leader. By the way: the early 1900's was an era of economic prosperity and good feeling. The great depression didn't happen until 1929. He was responsible for the completion of the Panama Canal, which will forever hold a significant place in international trade. Imperialism ultimately helped developing countries economically. Rich people invested in the development of infrastructure and local economy in former 3rd world countries. We gave back almost all our territories except a few like Guam and Puerto Rico, who greatly benefit. Last but not least, he's on Mount Rushmore! Any democrats there?

A little unbalanced.A great reformer.A trust buster.Rode down San Juan Hill.Better than his halfa--ed cousin.

The first President to fly in an airplane, own an automobile, and dive in a submarine.. He never touched liquor but drank a gallon of coffee per day.. Renamed the "Executive Mansion" the "White House" and added the "West Wing".. A conservative who fought for reform, a hunter who started the conservation movement, and a hawk on war who won a Nobel Peace Prize.. As much a Democrat as he was a Republican. He believed that he represented the people and not a particular political party. An extra star for that.

When a guys F**ks up the ecomomy this bad theres no way he should b rated higher than FDR. Jesus.

TR's anti-Trust, big government policies hurt the nation's economy significantly. However, when it came to foreign policy, TR got it right: He wanted to protect democracies from tyranny around the world. And his conservation policies turned millions of acres into our National Park system. A mixed legacy of unnecessary big government, sound foreign policy and visionary conservationist ideals makes TR just an average president in my book. If I were ranking all forty-two presidents from best to worst, TR would likely fall somewhere between twelve and seventeen.

I played Thodore Roosevelt in a play when I was little. When it was over I dicided I liked his enviremental polocies, but that's about it.

i agree with jeffersonsurvive86 i have respect for him, but he was a bit to into the whole imperialistic war thing

too bad there is no 6 rating; best president behind only Lincoln and Jefferson

Had several good domestic policies but he was a war monger.

He was an ideal president. He had bi-partisan following and cared about our country and loved it, definitly one of our best presidents.

America needs a president with his foresight and courage and backbone in today's world. Where have all the TR gones? I'd vote for him in a minute.

TR wasn't a war monger, he kept the world out of world war one, and he deserved that Nobel Prize he got for that.

Disproved the saying, The only good Republican I ever saw was dead.

Proverbial Robbin Hood of U.S. presidents. Took America away from big business and gave it to the people. Also helped the working conditions with several reforms.

One of the four greatest presidents!

Argueably the best prsident of all time his accomplishments dwarf almost all other presidents

Was a war monger, but made alot of reforms.

Greatest President there was. Read the Rise of Teddy Roosevelt.

I think if T.R. were alive today, he would get along marvelously with the Vietnam War era politicians like John McCain, Chuck Hagel, & yes John Kerry. Like them, T,R, was somebody who was not afraid to take on anyone to defend his cause. I don't know that he would be a Democrat, today, although the Democratic Party would've benefitted immensely from him. T.R. was a 'real man' who had the foresight to keep national treasures like Yellowsone & the Grand Canyon off-limits to those who didn't give a damn. Also, any guy who has actually experienced war first-hand, and could have the 'teddy bear' named after him would definitly have my vote today. My only criticism of him was that he got a bit whack-O in his later years.

It is often said that Teddy Roosevelt was the first modern president, and I think this is a fair statement. To begin, one must be careful to judge people based on the times, or in other words, in comparison with their contemporaries. Yes, Teddy might be considered racist and/or sexist by the standards of today, but when compared with his contemporaries, he was progressive, and no one can accuse Roosevelt of thinking small. He acknowledged and (more importantly) acted upon the new reality that the United States was a world power and the responsibilities that this status entailed (eg the Panama Canal and reducing European influence in the Americas). He acknowledged the dangers of extreme capitalism by starting or substantially starting anti-trust measures, but avoided the temptation of over regulation that plagues us today. Finally (at least for this comment), Teddy was largely responsible for the conservation movement, though this has been largely perverted by subsequent administrations (ie there is no need for one third of all American real estate to be owned or effectively owned by the government as it is today, at least according to National Geographic). In other words, Teddy would not be a Democrat today as some of the others have claimed. The bottom line is that Theodore Roosevelt was a visionary for his times and was largely responsible for converting (for good or ill) the United States into the modern nation state and global power that it is today.

great environmental policies and at home did well with the economy, but foreign policy decisions set up u.s. hegemony.

Teddy Roosevelt was probably one of the most personable men to occupy the White House. Those around him were amazed by his colorful personality and attitude toward life. Assuming office upon the assassination of President William McKinley, Roosevelt was intent on asserting U.S. influence and military power in the world, while pursuing a progressive agenda here at home. His policies and rhetoric shaped 20th century politics, as his progressive views influence future Presidents Wilson, Roosevelt, and Johnson to pursue similar domestic agendas. As President, it is obvious that Roosevelt respected and sought to defend the average American worker, promising a square deal for all. He mobilized the resources of the federal government to regulate big businesses that were taking advantage of American workers, filing suit on over forty corporations that were violating trust-busting laws. Roosevelt's objective in doing this was not to punish success on the part of the corporations, but rather, he did not want a corporate success to be a worker's failure (he would not permit corporate success at the expense of American workers). When mine workers in Pennsylvania called a strike against the coal mine owners in 1902, demanding higher pay and a reasonable workday, Roosevelt threatened to use federal troops to run the mines unless the owners agreed to meet the demands of the workers. The owners backed down and granted the workers higher wages and reasonable working hours. Roosevelt's bold resolve in this matter showed just how much he respected the American worker, and that he was willing to stand up for them, ensuring a square deal for all. Roosevelt also pursued an actively progressive agenda, signing two landmark laws to ensure the safety of food and drugs sold in the United States. Roosevelt also sought to conserve our land and natural resources, setting aside nearly 200 million acres for conservation. In the areas of civil rights, however, Roosevelt, like his predacessors, backed down. Roosevelt, despite being such an activist in other areas and having the moral authority to do so, refused to pursue equal rights for women and African Americans, a major failure of his administration. In foreign affairs, Roosevelt came to office with the intention to expand U.S. power abroad with the belief that the United States should be strong and ready to defend its interests around the world. To do this, Roosevelt initiated a massive naval buildup. In supporting Panama's quest for independence, Roosevelt secured the construction of the Panama Canal, which was unquestionably his greatest accomplishment and one of the greatest foreign policy coups of the 20th century. The construction of the canal created hundreds of new jobs, helped assert U.S. influence in Latin America, and increased rapidy overseas commerce. Roosevelt successfully arbitrated peace on two separate occaions, successfully negotiating an end to the Russo-Japanese War and averting, or atleast postponing a World War in Europe. In one foreign policy area, however, Roosevelt had substantial failures. His massive expansion of the Filipino-American War was absolutely inexcusable. Following the Spanish-American War, the Spanish had ceded the Phillipines to the United States. Immediately, the Filipinos attempted to instill their own government, but McKinley and Roosevelt would have none of it, and both Presidents personally ordered the slaughtering and internment of thousands of Filipinos. Roosevelt did something similar in Cuba by pushing forward the Platt Amendment which established that the United States assumed full military control of Cuba. In both these cases, Roosevelt was so busy pursuing his imperialist agenda, Roosevelt forgot that America's job was not to rule other countries, but to give them the resources to rule themselves. Instead of granting the Cubans and the Filipinos their independence, Roosevelt pursued his imperialist agenda, and jokingly stated that it was good to give countries that stepped out of line a spanking every now and then. Riots in Cuba and the Phillipines would continue well after Roosevelt left office, and hundreds of U.S. troops died there over two decades. In the final analysis, whether you like him or not, one cannot deny Roosevelt's influence on the world as a whole and espescially on 20th century America. Despite his failures in the area of civil rights and his completely unwarranted intervention in Cuba and the Phillipines, Roosevelt was the right man to lead America into the new century. He fought for the hard working American by prosecuting those who sought to take advantage of them, preserved America's natural beauty, expanded American influence, for better or worse throughout the world, and inspired a new generation of Americans and future Presidents to seek a square deal for all.

What a leader!!! A "bully" of a man!

Probably the last reform minded Republican. He was very much a self-made man and he saw evil when buisinesses tried to take advantage of people without means. He was a good man, but he was often too eager to go to war. He was mocked in his later years for advocating our entrance into WWI. Overall the "Trust Buster" was a good president and deserves to be on Mount Rushmore.

Why do we only hear the good things about our past presidents and always seem to shut out the bad? Theodore Roosevelt was a great commander of the Navy and a wonderful progressive for conservation, but I think he was president that left a lot to be desired. He was power-hungry, egotistical and racist. He wanted to use force in the Philippines, saying that Filipinos "had no right to administer the country which they happen to be occupying" and called natives "dirty heathens who could only be set straight with the use of bullets." He wanted to use Taft as a puppet after he left the presidency. Thank God Taft had a mind of his own, even if it wasn't the best mind. . .

Very few peacetime presidents accomplish as much. He set aside national parks and reserves. Without his visionary leadership we would not have many of the species we have. And don't forget the Panama Canal that he started.

Man of deep conviction, who knew how to get things done.

A great man who managed who still managed to become President. A rare occurrance. He was also a visionary. Not to mention a man who wasted not a second of his life and used his intellect and talents to the fullest. A family man to boot. Yes, a few of his positions I would question but all in all the American people got the most bang for their buck with this leader, author, enviormentalist, linguist, soldier, nobel prize winner, athlete, orator and cowboy.

Many fine qualities, but he overstepped his bounds at times, especially after he left office. I don't appreciate the way he helped Taft get elected, then stabbed him in the back by helping defeat Taft 4 years later.

We could really use someone like Teddy Roosevelt as president right now! This guy kicked ass! What else can you say about someone who grew up a sickly, weak nerd in New York City but by adulthood, was roughing it out West as a territory sheriff and cowboy! As president, he made some of the greatest and important changes in history, signing into law vital food and drug safety laws, thus saving the lives of millions, and establishing the National Park Service and helping start Yellowstone Park and other conservation efforts that saved the wilds of this country. He served his country in war and helped make important progress in America's position as an international power by developing diplomacy with Latin America and expanding our Navy! And talk about guts when in 1912 he was shot on his way to a campaign speech, and despite what must have been horrible pain, made his speech anyway then went to the hospital. He was a true representation of a good ol' red-blooded American!

A quite good president. No scandals, supported conservation, and negotiated some labor settlements.

TR was a principled leader, something we don't see anymore among politicans. His foreign policy (speak softly and carry a big stick) defined our position towards tyrannical governments for the past 100 years. No other president has used coercive diplomacy like he did. It no doubt came from his rough and ready attitude that he acquired during his stint in the military, remember his courageous drive up San Juan Hill in the heat of the Spanish-American War? We would not be a world power if it were not for his strong leadership during a period of intense growth in American history. T.R. was not at all a hawk, he brokered a peace agreement between Russia and Japan after their war in 1905 which ultimately won him the Nobel Peace Prize. He was a warrior, but he was also a peacemaker as well. His involvment in that region also strengthened our position in the Pacific Rim. People complained then that he was an excessively activist president. I think not, the country was changing and T.R. was the right president for the times. He kept the monopolistic trusts in check which at the time was a threat to the free market system that our country was founded upon. When a company dominates one sector, it has the ability to set prices and therefore be able to gauge the public. Innovation is stunted because of a lack of competition and most of all, corporations are not held accountable by the consumer and the workers most of the time worked in sub-standard conditions. Teddy Roosevelt was a revolutionary president for his times. There were no pretenses with him, he always did what he thought was right, and T.R. was right an awful lot.

He is one of our most underrated, greatest presidents. Pushed for reform (the abolition of child labor and the cleaning up of the meatpacking industry, which was influenced by Upton Sinclair's 1906 novel, The Jungle).

What did he ever do?????

Theodore Roosevelt was one of the greatest conservationists ever to grace the American political scene. His robust nature stemmed from his childhood asthma attacks and his unshakable belief in doing what he believed to be right. He was a contradictory man at times, too---here was a President who busted railroad and oil monopolies, yet was ultra-jingoistic in his belligerency towards the Spanish ("Remember the Maine!") and his patronizing attitude towards the Cubans, the Filipinos, the Panamanians ("my little brown brothers"), the Guamanians, etc., especially after the Panama Canal was built. Unfortunately, T.R.'s policy of speaking softly and carrying a big stick was two-edged: it not only showed the other world powers that the U.S. was not to be pushed around, but it also signaled the annoying tendency for the U.S. to intervene in Latin America whenever it felt justified in doing so. (Why the U.S. thinks the rest of Latin America should emulate us is arrogant and incredibly naive, given that, historically and presently speaking, the U.S. developed differently in socio-economic, linguistic, political, and ethnic terms. But that's another topic all by itself!) Despite his flaws, T.R. was a pretty decent president.

I think that Teddy should go away with at least being #3 or #4 in the ratings. He deserves it, because he put so much work into the panama canal, and working on the white house, supporting people, and helping with america all at the same time.

As good as they get.

TR may not have been an intellectual powerhouse (how many of our Presidents haven been?), but he is one of the most fascinating and charismatic world figures of the early 1900s. Such people are hunger for monarchy b/c its an easy story. He was awarded the nobel peace prize for his efforts in bringing too an end the Japanese/Russian war in 1903. He made us a world power to be reckoned with.

Very much the prototype of Reagan in terms of how the country felt about itself, although with greater hands-on ability. Man of action and courage. Very impressive bio - just think, he was so sickly as a child and he overcame it and became a president. He made us a world power to be reckoned with.

A true Rough Rider.

Theodore Roosevelt has always been my favorite U.S.President. Not only was he a foreign policy expert, but a skilled diplomate as well. He was awarded the nobel peace prize for his efforts in bringing too an end the Japanese/Russian war in 1903. He also was the first environmental/conservationist president. He set aside millions of acres of government land to preserve for future generations. Yellowstone national park is among these! However, his greatest achievements were probably the Panama Canal, and the building of the U.S. navy into a dominant military force. Without the Panama Canal the trade of certain countries would never have happened and it is my opinion that this economic watershed led to the "roaring twenties" and established the U.S. as a powerful economic force. Also his vigorous rhetoric " speak softly, but carry a big stick". Ensured the safety of the U.S. during his times. Other world leaders saw that he wasn't some one who was not going too back down from a fight. It is admirable when you consider his child hood asthma and the obstacles that he overcame. BULLY FOR YOU TEDDY! Mattyl.p.

The most effective and influential president of the 20th century...unfortunately his comment about not running again made us lose 4 years of what could have been a stellar legacy for our country.

TR may not have been an intellectual powerhouse (how many of our Presidents haven been?), but he is one of the