We all have our different criteria for rating presidents. To me, a good president is not someone who leaves behind new intrusive government programs. It's a person who understands the role of the president in a country with limited government and unlimited opportunities for the citizen. At heart, Taft was not a politician - he was a statesman. He was a mild and personable man, who had strong convictions. He was a modest man, totally unlike his predecessor, Teddy Roosevelt, and he didn't consider himself qualified to be President. But he ran after the continued urging of his brothers, his wife, and Roosevelt, who had personally chosen him (only to stab him in the back 4 years later). Our nation was at peace and his administration was an efficient one, but didn't put on a good show as one writer said, so Taft wasn't able to capture the public's imagination the way Roosevelt had. He was a public servant, not a power grabber. I've got a clear recording of his voice, only about 10-15 seconds, and I'm surprised at what a good speaker he was. Sadly, he wasn't able to enjoy being president and told a friend he was glad when it was over. He was much happier as a Supreme Court Justice.
