Confronting the Presidents

1. Early Presidents: Imperfect Men Forging a Nation

There have been bad people elected to the highest office of the land as well as noble ones.

Human Flaws. The early presidents, from Washington to Monroe, were not mythical figures but flawed individuals grappling with immense challenges. They were often stubborn, temperamental, and prone to personal failings, yet they laid the foundation for the United States.

• Washington was frustrated by his mother and his own inability to father children.
• Adams was socially awkward and prone to fits of anger.
• Jefferson was a slave owner who fathered children with a slave.
• Madison was anxious and often incapacitated by fear.
• Monroe was a boring man who was often incapacitated by illness.

Nation Building. These men, despite their imperfections, were instrumental in shaping the new nation. They established the presidency, defined the role of the federal government, and expanded the country's borders.

• Washington set the precedent for a peaceful transfer of power.
• Adams built the American navy.
• Jefferson doubled the size of the country with the Louisiana Purchase.
• Madison led the nation through the War of 1812.
• Monroe established the Monroe Doctrine, a cornerstone of American foreign policy.

Enduring Legacy. The early presidents' decisions, both good and bad, continue to resonate today. Their struggles with issues like slavery, states' rights, and foreign policy laid the groundwork for future conflicts and triumphs. Their actions, both noble and flawed, shaped the American identity.

2. The Shadow of Washington: Adams and Jefferson

Adams and Washington both have blue eyes, but that is where comparisons end.

Living in the Shadow. John Adams, the second president, struggled to escape the shadow of his predecessor, George Washington. He was a man of intellect and principle, but his personality and policies often clashed with the public's expectations.

• Adams was a thinker, not a man of action, unlike the athletic Washington.
• He was a solitary man, not comfortable in the presence of strangers.
• He was a Federalist, while the nation was moving toward a more democratic ideal.

Rivalry and Legacy. Thomas Jefferson, the third president, was a complex figure who both admired and opposed Adams. Their rivalry shaped the early political landscape of the United States.

• Jefferson was a man of the wilderness, while Adams was a man of the city.
• Jefferson was a champion of states' rights, while Adams favored a strong central government.
• Despite their differences, they reconciled in their later years, becoming close friends.

Enduring Impact. Both Adams and Jefferson made significant contributions to the nation, but their presidencies were marked by controversy and division. Their struggles with the press, political factions, and foreign policy continue to be relevant today.

3. Expansion and Division: Madison to Monroe

The burning of the White House is yet another epic display of America’s inability to protect itself.

War and Expansion. James Madison, the fourth president, led the nation through the War of 1812, a conflict that tested the young republic's ability to defend itself. The burning of the White House was a low point, but the war ultimately strengthened American resolve.

• Madison was a small man with a big intellect, a key architect of the Constitution.
• He was a reluctant warrior, but he understood the need to defend American sovereignty.
• His wife, Dolley, was a charismatic figure who helped to define the role of First Lady.

Era of Good Feelings. James Monroe, the fifth president, presided over a period of relative peace and prosperity known as the "Era of Good Feelings." However, the issue of slavery continued to divide the nation.

• Monroe was a man of action, a veteran of the Revolutionary War.
• He was a Francophile, having served as minister to France.
• He issued the Monroe Doctrine, a warning to Europe not to interfere in the Americas.

Growing Pains. The presidencies of Madison and Monroe saw the nation expand westward, but also grapple with the growing tensions over slavery. The Missouri Compromise was a temporary solution to a long-term problem.

4. The Rise of Populism: Jackson and Van Buren

General Jackson is their own president. Plain in his dress, venerable in his appearance, unaffected and familiar in his manners.

The People's President. Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, was a populist figure who appealed to the common man. He was a war hero, a frontiersman, and a symbol of American individualism.

• Jackson was a man of action, known for his toughness and determination.
• He was a controversial figure, known for his harsh treatment of Native Americans and his support of slavery.
• His inauguration was a chaotic affair, with thousands of people flooding the White House.

The Little Magician. Martin Van Buren, the eighth president, was Jackson's handpicked successor. He was a skilled politician, but he lacked Jackson's charisma and popularity.

• Van Buren was a master of political maneuvering, earning the nickname "Little Magician."
• He was a dandy, known for his fastidious dress and refined manners.
• His presidency was marred by the Panic of 1837, a major economic depression.

Shifting Power. The presidencies of Jackson and Van Buren marked a shift in American politics, with the rise of populism and the decline of the old aristocratic order. The common man was now a force to be reckoned with.

5. The Whig Interlude: Harrison and Tyler

I wish my husband’s friends had left him where he is, happy and contented in retirement.

The Hard Cider Candidate. William Henry Harrison, the ninth president, was a war hero who won the presidency on a wave of popular support. However, he died just one month into his term.

• Harrison was a man of the frontier, known for his victory at the Battle of Tippecanoe.
• He was the oldest man elected president up to that time.
• His campaign was marked by populism and theater, with rallies featuring hard cider and log cabins.

His Accidency. John Tyler, the tenth president, was Harrison's vice president who ascended to the presidency upon his death. He was a man of divided loyalties, and his presidency was marked by conflict and controversy.

• Tyler was a Virginian, a staunch supporter of states' rights and slavery.
• He was expelled from the Whig Party for his opposition to their policies.
• He was the first president to be threatened with impeachment.

Short-Lived Power. The presidencies of Harrison and Tyler were a brief interlude in American history, a time of political upheaval and uncertainty. The Whig Party, which had risen to challenge the Democrats, was ultimately unable to hold power.

6. Manifest Destiny and Slavery: Polk and Taylor

We have not one particle of right to be here.

The Expansionist. James K. Polk, the eleventh president, was a man of destiny who believed in the expansion of the United States. He led the nation into war with Mexico, acquiring vast new territories.

• Polk was a man of action, a strong believer in Manifest Destiny.
• He was a workaholic, focused on achieving his goals.
• He was a slave owner who believed in the expansion of slavery.

Old Rough and Ready. Zachary Taylor, the twelfth president, was a war hero who won the presidency on his military reputation. He was a man of the people, but his presidency was cut short by his sudden death.

• Taylor was a general, known for his casual style of leadership.
• He was a slave owner, but he opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories.
• His death was sudden and unexpected, leading to conspiracy theories.

Contradictory Forces. The presidencies of Polk and Taylor saw the nation expand westward, but also grapple with the increasingly divisive issue of slavery. The question of whether or not to allow slavery in new territories would soon lead to civil war.

7. The Nation Fractures: Fillmore to Buchanan

I am a man of reserved, cold, and austere forbidding manners.

The Compromiser. Millard Fillmore, the thirteenth president, was a man of compromise who tried to hold the nation together. However, his actions only served to further divide the country.

• Fillmore was a man of the middle, seeking to find common ground between North and South.
• He signed the Fugitive Slave Act, a law that further inflamed tensions over slavery.
• He was the last Whig president, as the party collapsed under the weight of the slavery issue.

The Ineffective. James Buchanan, the fifteenth president, was a man of inaction who failed to address the growing crisis over slavery. His presidency is often seen as a prelude to the Civil War.

• Buchanan was a bachelor, the only president to never marry.
• He was a pro-slavery northerner, a man of divided loyalties.
• He was ineffective in dealing with the growing tensions between North and South.

The Breaking Point. The presidencies of Fillmore and Buchanan marked a turning point in American history, as the nation moved closer to civil war. The issue of slavery had become so divisive that compromise was no longer possible.

8. Civil War and Reconstruction: Lincoln and Johnson

I have endeavored to discharge all my official duties faithfully. I regret nothing, but I am sorry I am about to leave my friends.

The Great Emancipator. Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president, led the nation through the Civil War, a conflict that tested the very foundations of the republic. He is remembered as the Great Emancipator, a man who fought to preserve the Union and end slavery.

• Lincoln was a man of the people, born into poverty and self-educated.
• He was a brilliant orator, using his words to inspire and unite the nation.
• He was assassinated just days after the end of the Civil War.

The Impeached. Andrew Johnson, the seventeenth president, was Lincoln's vice president who ascended to the presidency upon his death. He was a man of the South, and his policies on Reconstruction were deeply unpopular in the North.

• Johnson was a man of the people, a former tailor who rose to the highest office in the land.
• He was a staunch supporter of states' rights and white supremacy.
• He was impeached by the House of Representatives for his opposition to Reconstruction.

Rebuilding a Nation. The presidencies of Lincoln and Johnson were a time of great upheaval and change, as the nation struggled to rebuild after the Civil War. The issue of race and equality would continue to be a major challenge for generations to come.

9. The Gilded Age: Grant and Hayes

He is what the English call a dandy when he enters the Senate chambers.

The War Hero. Ulysses S. Grant, the eighteenth president, was a Civil War hero who led the Union to victory. However, his presidency was marred by corruption and scandal.

• Grant was a man of action, a brilliant military strategist.
• He was a poor politician, often manipulated by those around him.
• His presidency was marked by financial scandals and political infighting.

The Reformer. Rutherford B. Hayes, the nineteenth president, was a man of integrity who sought to reform the government. However, his presidency was overshadowed by the disputed election of 1876.

• Hayes was a man of principle, a staunch advocate for civil service reform.
• He was a boring man, not known for his charisma or public appeal.
• His presidency marked the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of the Gilded Age.

New Challenges. The presidencies of Grant and Hayes saw the nation grapple with the challenges of industrialization, urbanization, and corruption. The old order was giving way to a new era of wealth and power.

10. The Modern Era: Garfield to Obama

I am about to die. I expect the summons soon.

The Assassinated. James A. Garfield, the twentieth president, was a man of intellect and promise, but his presidency was cut short by an assassin's bullet.

• Garfield was a man of the people, a self-made man who rose to the highest office in the land.
• He was a scholar, a man of great intellect and learning.
• His assassination was a national tragedy, a reminder of the fragility of life.

The Accidental. Chester A. Arthur, the twenty-first president, was Garfield's vice president who ascended to the presidency upon his death. He was a man of style and sophistication, but his presidency was marked by scandal and corruption.

• Arthur was a man of the city, a New Yorker who enjoyed the finer things in life.
• He was a political insider, a product of the corrupt patronage system.
• His presidency was a time of transition, as the nation moved into the modern era.

The Progressive. Grover Cleveland, the twenty-second and twenty-fourth president, was a man of principle who sought to reform the government. He was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms.

• Cleveland was a man of the people, a champion of the working class.
• He was a conservative Democrat, opposed to government intervention in the economy.
• His presidency was marked by economic depression and social unrest.

The Imperialist. William McKinley, the twenty-fifth president, was a man of expansion who led the nation into war with Spain. His presidency marked the beginning of American imperialism.

• McKinley was a man of action, a strong believer in American power.
• He was a skilled politician, able to unite the nation behind his policies.
• His assassination was a national tragedy, a reminder of the dangers of political extremism.

The Trust Buster. Theodore Roosevelt, the twenty-sixth president, was a man of action who sought to regulate big business and protect the environment. His presidency marked the beginning of the Progressive Era.

• Roosevelt was a man of the wilderness, a cowboy and a conservationist.
• He was a charismatic leader, able to inspire the nation with his vision.
• He was a reformer, seeking to make government more responsive to the needs of the people.

The Ineffective. William Howard Taft, the twenty-seventh president, was a man of law who sought to uphold the Constitution. However, his presidency was overshadowed by his conflict with Theodore Roosevelt.

• Taft was a man of intellect, a former judge who rose to the highest office in the land.
• He was a conservative, opposed to government intervention in the economy.
• His presidency was a time of transition, as the nation moved into the modern era.

The Idealist. Woodrow Wilson, the twenty-eighth president, was a man of vision who sought to create a new world order. His presidency was marked by World War I and the Treaty of Versailles.

• Wilson was a man of intellect, a scholar and a professor.
• He was an idealist, believing in the power of diplomacy and international cooperation.
• His presidency was a time of great upheaval and change, as the world was transformed by war.

The Scandalous. Warren G. Harding, the twenty-ninth president, was a man of charm and charisma, but his presidency was marred by corruption and scandal.

• Harding was a man of the people, a newspaper publisher who rose to the highest office in the land.
• He was a poor administrator, often manipulated by those around him.
• His presidency was a time of excess and corruption, as the nation moved into the Roaring Twenties.

The Silent. Calvin Coolidge, the thirtieth president, was a man of few words who presided over a period of prosperity. His presidency was marked by a return to normalcy after the excesses of the Harding administration.

• Coolidge was a man of few words, a taciturn New Englander.
• He was a conservative, believing in limited government and fiscal responsibility.
• His presidency was a time of peace and prosperity, as the nation enjoyed the Roaring Twenties.

The Depressed. Herbert Hoover, the thirty-first president, was a man of action who sought to end the Great Depression. However, his policies were largely ineffective, and his presidency was marked by economic hardship.

• Hoover was a man of action, a successful businessman and engineer.
• He was a conservative, believing in individual responsibility and limited government.
• His presidency was a time of great suffering and hardship, as the nation struggled with the Great Depression.

The New Dealer. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the thirty-second president, led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II. He is remembered as a transformative figure who expanded the role of the federal government.

• Roosevelt was a man of the people, a charismatic leader who inspired hope and confidence.
• He was a pragmatist, willing to experiment with new policies to address the nation's problems.
• His presidency was a time of great upheaval and change, as the nation faced unprecedented challenges.

The Atomic. Harry S. Truman, the thirty-third president, led the nation through the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. He is remembered for his decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan.

• Truman was a man of action, a decisive leader who made tough choices.
• He was a common man, a former haberdasher who rose to the highest office in the land.
• His presidency was a time of great change and uncertainty, as the world grappled with the threat of nuclear war.

The General. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the thirty-fourth president, was a World War II hero who led the Allied forces to victory in Europe. His presidency was marked by peace and prosperity.

• Eisenhower was a man of action, a skilled military strategist.
• He was a moderate Republican, seeking to find common ground between conservatives and liberals.
• His presidency was a time of peace and prosperity, as the nation enjoyed the postwar boom.

The New Frontier. John F. Kennedy, the thirty-fifth president, was a charismatic leader who inspired a generation of Americans. His presidency was cut short by an assassin's bullet.

• Kennedy was a man of style and sophistication, a symbol of American youth and vitality.
• He was a visionary, inspiring the nation with his call to public service.
• His assassination was a national tragedy, a reminder of the fragility of life.

The Great Society. Lyndon B. Johnson, the thirty-sixth president, was a man of action who sought to create a more just and equal society. However, his presidency was overshadowed by the Vietnam War.

• Johnson was a man of the people, a Texan who rose to the highest office in the land.
• He was a skilled politician, able to pass landmark legislation on civil rights and social welfare.
• His presidency was a time of great upheaval and change, as the nation grappled with the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement.

The Resigned. Richard Nixon, the thirty-seventh president, was a man of intellect and ambition, but his presidency was marred by scandal and corruption.

• Nixon was a man of the world, a skilled diplomat who opened relations with China.
• He was a complex figure, both admired and reviled by the American people.
• His resignation was a national tragedy, a reminder of the dangers of political power.

The Unelected. Gerald Ford, the thirty-eighth president, was a man of integrity who sought to heal the nation after Watergate. However, his presidency was marked by economic hardship and political division.

• Ford was a man of the people, a former football star who rose to the highest office in the land.
• He was a moderate Republican, seeking to find common ground between conservatives and liberals.
• His presidency was a time of transition, as the nation moved into the post-Vietnam era.

The Outsider. Jimmy Carter, the thirty-ninth president, was a man of principle who sought to bring honesty and integrity to government. However, his presidency was marked by economic hardship and foreign policy challenges.

• Carter was a man of faith, a devout Christian who sought to live his values.
• He was a micromanager, focused on the details of government.
• His presidency was a time of transition, as the nation grappled with the challenges of the post-Vietnam era.

The Great Communicator. Ronald Reagan, the fortieth president, was a man of optimism who sought to restore American pride and power. His presidency was marked by economic growth and a renewed sense of national purpose.

• Reagan was a man of the people, a former actor who rose to the highest office in the land.
• He was a charismatic leader, able to inspire the nation with his vision.
• His presidency was a time of change, as the nation moved into the post-Cold War era.

The Diplomat. George H. W. Bush, the forty-first president, was a man of experience who sought to build a new world order. His presidency was marked by the end of the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War.

• Bush was a man of the world, a former diplomat and CIA director.
• He was a pragmatist, focused on achieving his goals through diplomacy and international cooperation.
• His presidency was a time of transition, as the nation moved into the post-Cold War era.

The Comeback Kid. Bill Clinton, the forty-second president, was a man of charisma and intellect who sought to modernize the Democratic Party. His presidency was marked by economic prosperity and political scandal.

• Clinton was a man of the people, a southerner who rose to the highest office in the land.
• He was a skilled politician, able to connect with voters on a personal level.
• His presidency was a time of great change and prosperity, as the nation moved into the digital age.

The War President. George W. Bush, the forty-third president, was a man of action who led the nation into war after the 9/11 attacks. His presidency was marked by the war on terror and the invasion of Iraq.

• Bush was a man of faith, a devout Christian who sought to protect the nation from terrorism.
• He was a decisive leader, willing to take risks to achieve his goals.
• His presidency was a time of great upheaval and change, as the nation grappled with the threat of terrorism.

The Hopeful. Barack Obama, the forty-fourth president, was a man of hope who sought to unite the nation across racial and political divides. His presidency was marked by the passage of the Affordable Care Act and the killing of Osama bin Laden.

• Obama was a man of intellect, a scholar and a community organizer.
• He was a charismatic leader, able to inspire the nation with his vision.
• His presidency was a time of great change and progress, as the nation moved into the 21st century.

11. The Rise of Trump and the Biden Era

I’m Warren Harding, playing poker with friends. And I intend to beat them.

The Disruptor. Donald Trump, the forty-fifth president, was a businessman and reality television star who disrupted the political establishment. His presidency was marked by populism, nationalism, and controversy.

• Trump was a man of action, a businessman who sought to bring his skills to government.
• He was a populist, appealing to working-class voters who felt left behind by the political establishment.
• His presidency was a time of great upheaval and change, as the nation grappled with the challenges of globalization and immigration.

The Traditionalist. Joe Biden, the forty-sixth president, is a career politician who sought to restore normalcy after the Trump presidency. His administration has been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic challenges, and the war in Ukraine.

• Biden is a man of experience, a longtime senator and vice president.
• He is a moderate Democrat, seeking to find common ground between liberals and conservatives.
• His presidency is a time of transition, as the nation grapples with the challenges of a changing world.

Uncertain Future. The presidencies of Trump and Biden have shown the deep divisions in American society. The future of the nation is uncertain, as the country grapples with the challenges of globalization, inequality, and political polarization.

Last updated: January 24, 2025