🗳️Best Democratic Presidents Ranked

Harry S. Truman▲ Rising

Truman ended World War II with atomic bombs and launched the Marshall Plan and NATO to contain communism. His unexpected 1948 victory secured the New Deal gains.

Term: 1945-1953Signature Achievement: Marshall PlanHistorian Rank: 8/10Avg Approval: 6/10Economic Impact: 8/10Foreign Policy: 9/10

added by IJRin 6 rankingsHarry S. Truman

Franklin D. Roosevelt▲ Rising

FDR transformed the federal government during the Great Depression with the New Deal and led the US through World War II to victory. His four terms redefined the presidency and Democratic coalition.

Term: 1933-1945Signature Achievement: New DealHistorian Rank: 9/10Avg Approval: 8/10Economic Impact: 9/10Foreign Policy: 9/10

added by IJRin 20 rankingsFranklin D. Roosevelt

John F. Kennedy▲ Rising

Kennedy inspired the nation with the space race and handled the Cuban Missile Crisis without war. His truncated term left civil rights and tax-cut legacies for successors.

Term: 1961-1963Signature Achievement: Cuban Missile CrisisHistorian Rank: 8/10Avg Approval: 8/10Economic Impact: 7/10Foreign Policy: 8/10

added by IJRin 11 rankingsJohn F. Kennedy

Lyndon B. Johnson▲ Rising

LBJ pushed through the Civil Rights Act and Great Society programs that dramatically reduced poverty and expanded healthcare access. His Vietnam escalation ultimately cost him political support.

Term: 1963-1969Signature Achievement: Civil Rights ActHistorian Rank: 8/10Avg Approval: 7/10Economic Impact: 8/10Foreign Policy: 5/10

added by IJRin 14 rankingsLyndon B. Johnson

Woodrow Wilson▲ Rising

Wilson led the US into World War I and championed the League of Nations while enacting major progressive reforms at home. His racial policies and postwar stroke limited his legacy.

Term: 1913-1921Signature Achievement: Federal ReserveHistorian Rank: 7/10Avg Approval: 7/10Economic Impact: 7/10Foreign Policy: 8/10

added by IJRin 15 rankingsWoodrow Wilson

Jimmy Carter▲ Rising

Carter brokered the Camp David Accords and advanced energy independence but struggled with inflation and the Iran hostage crisis. His post-presidency humanitarian work bolstered his reputation.

Term: 1977-1981Signature Achievement: Camp David AccordsHistorian Rank: 6/10Avg Approval: 6/10Economic Impact: 5/10Foreign Policy: 8/10

added by IJRin 11 rankingsJimmy Carter

Joe Biden

Biden passed major infrastructure and climate legislation while managing the COVID recovery and supporting Ukraine against Russia. High inflation and Afghanistan withdrawal hurt his standing.

Term: 2021-presentSignature Achievement: Infrastructure billHistorian Rank: 6/10Avg Approval: 5/10Economic Impact: 7/10Foreign Policy: 7/10

added by IJRin 5 rankingsJoe Biden

Barack Obama

Obama passed the Affordable Care Act and rescued the auto industry during the Great Recession while ending the Iraq War. Partisan gridlock limited further domestic gains.

Term: 2009-2017Signature Achievement: Affordable Care ActHistorian Rank: 7/10Avg Approval: 7/10Economic Impact: 8/10Foreign Policy: 7/10

added by IJRin 17 rankingsBarack Obama

Franklin Pierce

Pierce enforced the Kansas-Nebraska Act that inflamed sectional tensions leading toward civil war. His administration is widely viewed as one of the weakest.

Term: 1853-1857Signature Achievement: Gadsden PurchaseHistorian Rank: 4/10Avg Approval: 4/10Economic Impact: 5/10Foreign Policy: 5/10

added by IJRin 7 rankingsFranklin Pierce

Grover Cleveland

Cleveland won the popular vote three times and defended the gold standard during economic panic. His veto-heavy style emphasized limited government.

Term: 1885-1889, 1893-1897Signature Achievement: Gold standard defenseHistorian Rank: 6/10Avg Approval: 6/10Economic Impact: 6/10Foreign Policy: 5/10

added by IJRin 10 rankingsGrover Cleveland

James Madison▲ Rising

Madison led the US through the War of 1812 that confirmed independence and spurred national identity. His later presidency focused on internal improvements.

Term: 1809-1817Signature Achievement: War of 1812Historian Rank: 7/10Avg Approval: 7/10Economic Impact: 6/10Foreign Policy: 6/10

added by IJRin 9 rankingsJames Madison

Martin Van Buren▲ Rising

Van Buren managed the transition after Jackson and created the independent treasury system amid financial panic. His single term was defined by economic hardship.

Term: 1837-1841Signature Achievement: Independent TreasuryHistorian Rank: 5/10Avg Approval: 5/10Economic Impact: 4/10Foreign Policy: 5/10

added by IJRin 5 rankingsMartin Van Buren

Bill Clinton

Clinton presided over the longest economic expansion in US history and balanced the federal budget while expanding NATO eastward. Scandals and impeachment marked his second term.

Term: 1993-2001Signature Achievement: Balanced budgetHistorian Rank: 7/10Avg Approval: 8/10Economic Impact: 9/10Foreign Policy: 7/10

added by IJRin 16 rankingsBill Clinton

James Buchanan▲ Rising

Buchanan failed to prevent Southern secession as the nation fractured over slavery. His inaction is blamed for hastening the Civil War.

Term: 1857-1861Signature Achievement: Dred Scott supportHistorian Rank: 3/10Avg Approval: 3/10Economic Impact: 4/10Foreign Policy: 4/10

added by IJRin 5 rankingsJames Buchanan

James K. Polk

Polk fulfilled Manifest Destiny by acquiring California and the Southwest through the Mexican-American War. His focused agenda delivered on every major promise.

Term: 1845-1849Signature Achievement: Mexican CessionHistorian Rank: 7/10Avg Approval: 7/10Economic Impact: 7/10Foreign Policy: 7/10

added by IJRin 7 rankingsJames K. Polk

Truman (domestic)

Truman's Fair Deal extended New Deal programs and integrated the armed forces despite congressional resistance.

Term: 1945-1953Signature Achievement: Fair Deal agendaHistorian Rank: 8/10Avg Approval: 6/10Economic Impact: 8/10Foreign Policy: 9/10

added by IJR

Cleveland (first term)

Cleveland's first term emphasized tariff reform and honest administration before losing reelection in 1888.

Term: 1885-1889Signature Achievement: Tariff reform vetoesHistorian Rank: 6/10Avg Approval: 6/10Economic Impact: 6/10Foreign Policy: 5/10

added by IJR

Cleveland (second term)▼ Falling

Cleveland returned to office during the Panic of 1893 and defended the gold standard against silverites.

Term: 1893-1897Signature Achievement: Gold standard defenseHistorian Rank: 6/10Avg Approval: 5/10Economic Impact: 5/10Foreign Policy: 5/10

added by IJR

Andrew Jackson

Jackson expanded executive power and the franchise for white men while enforcing Indian removal. His bank war reshaped the economy but left lasting controversies.

Term: 1829-1837Signature Achievement: Indian Removal ActHistorian Rank: 5/10Avg Approval: 7/10Economic Impact: 6/10Foreign Policy: 6/10

added by IJRin 12 rankingsAndrew Jackson

Polk (expansion focus)

Polk's aggressive expansion agenda delivered the continental United States but intensified slavery debates.

Term: 1845-1849Signature Achievement: Southwest acquisitionHistorian Rank: 7/10Avg Approval: 7/10Economic Impact: 7/10Foreign Policy: 7/10

added by IJR

Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson doubled US territory with the Louisiana Purchase and championed limited government ideals. His embargo policy damaged the economy.

Term: 1801-1809Signature Achievement: Louisiana PurchaseHistorian Rank: 8/10Avg Approval: 8/10Economic Impact: 6/10Foreign Policy: 7/10

added by IJRin 15 rankingsThomas Jefferson

Wilson (progressive)

Wilson's progressive domestic agenda included the Federal Reserve and child labor laws before World War I shifted focus.

Term: 1913-1921Signature Achievement: Federal Reserve ActHistorian Rank: 7/10Avg Approval: 7/10Economic Impact: 7/10Foreign Policy: 8/10

added by IJR

James Monroe▼ Falling

Monroe presided over the Era of Good Feelings and issued the Monroe Doctrine that shaped US foreign policy for a century. Florida acquisition completed early expansion.

Term: 1817-1825Signature Achievement: Monroe DoctrineHistorian Rank: 7/10Avg Approval: 7/10Economic Impact: 7/10Foreign Policy: 8/10

added by IJRin 5 rankingsJames Monroe

Andrew Johnson▼ Falling

Johnson fought Reconstruction policies and became the first impeached president after clashing with Congress over civil rights for freed slaves.

Term: 1865-1869Signature Achievement: Alaska PurchaseHistorian Rank: 4/10Avg Approval: 4/10Economic Impact: 5/10Foreign Policy: 5/10

added by IJRin 8 rankingsAndrew Johnson

Van Buren (second attempt)▼ Falling

Van Buren ran again in 1848 on the Free Soil ticket after his presidency but placed third.

Term: N/ASignature Achievement: Free Soil candidacyHistorian Rank: 5/10Avg Approval: 5/10Economic Impact: 4/10Foreign Policy: 5/10

added by IJR