See, it is starting already.

"attacked a Rabbit with a paddle/oar"
"Billy Beer"

Carter: gas lines. Malaise.

I lumped the Founding Generation together--all the early ones (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Monroe, and Madison) will be remembered forever, although mainly for their role in the founding rather than their presidencies per se.

LBJ: Texan
Nixon: Resigned
Gerald Ford: Betty
Jimmy Carter: Peanuts
Ronald Reagan: Debt
Bush 41: Daddy
Clinton: Impeachment
Bush 43: Terrorism

George Washington - Father of the Nation, General who won our independence. When he could have been king, he wisely and humbly set the two-term limit example which was not flouted until FDR, after whom it was written into the Constitution.

John Adams - remembered for being part of a father/son Presidential combo.

Thomas Jefferson - Writer of the Declaration, purchaser of the Louisianna territory from France, scientist, scholar, lover of the common man. Possibly our greatest ever President. Certainly, our greatest visionary. Did more to set the USA on its course than any other man in our history. By commissioning and publishing the results of the Louisianna expedition in search of a Northwest Passage, he inflamed the hearts of freedom loving peoples from around the globe - and the people who came to settle that land make up what is now our nation.

James Monroe - Remembered primarily for the Monroe Doctrine western hemisphere restriction on European power.

James Madison - Primarily remembered for his part in writing the US constitution. Single most important Presidential memory is Dolly Madison saving his portrait when the White House was scorched by the Brits.

John Quincy Adams - remembered for being part of a father/son Presidential combo.

Andrew Jackson - Father of the Democratic Party. Another champion of the common man. First President not directly related to the founders. His status will rise and fall depending upon how people view his treatment of American Indians, but he will be remembered. People today do not realize it, but the American Indians of that time were using much the same tactics that middle east terrorists are using today - surprise, asymetrical attacks on the civilian population. When Jackson marched the Indians down the Trail of Tears and expelled them from the Appalachians in defiance of the Supreme Court, he was hailed as a great defender of the common man who was more interested in safety and justice than legalistic interpretations of the law. Remind anyone of the suspension of Habeus Corpis under Lincoln, Japenese internment under FDR, or perhaps "illegal combatants" in Guantonimo Bay? When their security is threatened, Americans are willing and able to shrug off legal restrictions in order to ensure their personal survival. This just underscores the truth that the phrasing should be Order & Law, not Law & Order. In the absence of Order, people do not recognize the usefulness of the Law.

Abraham Lincoln - 'nuff said.

Grant - will be more remembered as a victorious General than president, like Eisenhower.

Teddy Roosevelt - "Walk softly and carry a big stick." The founder of the American Century and the author of American hegemony. Was the embodiment of American ideals. Adventurous, moral, courageous, arrogant, boisterous, great initiative, uncommon courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Presided over American ascension to 1st class world power.

Woodrow Wilson - WWI, League of Nations

FDR - 'nuff said.

Truman - dropped the bomb on Japan, fired MacArthur.

Eisenhower - will be more remembered as a General than president, like Grant.

JFK - Assasinated. First telegenic President. Students of history will forever be shown snippits of his debate with Nixon. Also, Cuban Missile crises is a study in courage. Will get credit for some things actually accomplished by LBJ.

LBJ - will probably be forgotten by 2050. Domestic policy accomplishments do not have an historical shelf life. JFK will steal his thunder.

Nixon - first, and so far only President to be driven from office in disgrace.

Ford - already forgotten

Carter - quickly following Ford's example of disappearing into oblivion.

Reagan - As much as I admire how he almost single handedly rescued America from its 70's-induced psychological depression, in 50 years, when people no longer even remember there ever was a Soviet Union, and since there was no major war on his watch, I think his star will dim into forgetfulness. May be remembered as part of the trifecta of Presidents who directly confronted communism - Truman, JFK, Reagan. I don't think he'll be remembered on his own.

George Bush - remembered for being part of a father/son Presidential combo.

Clinton - only hope for memory is Monica and impeachment, a rather dubious distinction. But we had Andy Johnson impeached and another President whose name I cannot remember (irony noted) was purportedly a much worse skirt chaser than Clinton. Will probably live until 2030, so forgotten by 2075. (In my opinion, Clinton is the embodiment of wasted potential. Had the talent and opportunity to be great, but squandered it on minimalist policies, and meaningless scandals.)

George W. Bush - Much less talented than Clinton, but has a chance to be remembered as one of the greats. Time will tell if the "Bush Doctrine" of preventative war will be a world-historical watershed. Greatest Presidential moment to date is standing on the rubble of the WTC and addressing the American people with a bull horn. That picture still makes my hair stand on end.

I think he understands the preeiminence of establishing Order prior to the rule of Law. If he flinches in the Middle East, he will be remembered as one of the worst Presidents in our nation's history. If he doesn't flinch, and there is no evidence that he will, and if the middle east becomes a peaceful, economically successful region, he will get credit in the USA and around the world as the greatest champion of freedom since Lincoln.

If he gets assassinated a la Lincoln & Kennedy, his status will reach mythical proportions, and his place in history will be forever assured. Will certainly be remembered for the father/son connection. Also Trivia Question: Only President to be descended from two different Presidents - Franklin Pierce and George H.W. Bush.

The jury is still out on him, but one day his picture could be on our money. It wouldn't surprise me if his picture makes it onto Iraqi money some day. Main attribute is stubborn determination to defend freedom regardless of the costs - not a bad trait.

LBJ - The Vietnam Quagmire
Nixon - Watergate (Alternately, Old Vulcan Proverb: Only Nixon c...

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