"True Measures of Presidential Greatness"

On this President’s Day in the United States we remember those presidents who made the greatest impact upon our country and the world during their terms in office. We begin by recognizing those who achieved the greatest during their time. Here the two presidents whose birthdays during the month of February created this day come first to mind: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Washington is thought to be one of the best because of his being the first president, as well as his service as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Lincoln is considered to be one of the best because of his holding the union of states together during the Civil War. But there is a second measure to his greatness, his moral stance against slavery leading to his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

Was is the true measure of greatness of a president? Certainly, most popular presidents are remembered for their leadership during difficult times. To the list of Lincoln and Washington we would add Franklin Delano Roosevelt as perhaps the third greatest president because of his leadership during the Depression and World War II. But FDR is especially known for his caring for the poor, including the establishment of the New Deal, a program of relief, recovery, and reform. His importance was also recognized worldwide, as he led America during the time of Allied cooperation in turning back bids for world dominance by Germany and Japan. Others who have exhibited important leadership qualities are Thomas Jefferson-- who wrote the Declaration of Independence—John F. Kennedy, who led America during the Cold War, and Ronald Reagan, the last American president who was able to bring together people from both sides of the aisle.

Presidents may also be measured by their ethics. Lincoln is known for grappling with the issues of the mid-nineteenth century from a moral or religious base. Lloyd Steffen writes in “The Ethical Complexity of Abraham Lincoln: Is There Something for Religious Ethicists to Learn?”: “Abraham Lincoln’s unorthodox religious views connected to an ethical stance that is not reducible to any single overarching philosophical theory. By attending to virtue cultivation, a rational utilitarianism, and a divinely grounded natural law commitment to human equality, Lincoln devised a principled yet flexible ethic that addressed the complexity of the moral life.” (Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, Vol. 31, No. 2) Lincoln’s concern for the good of all people certainly exceeded Jefferson’s eighteenth century concern for all men (“all men are created equal.”) His seeking the will of God as to what is best for all in God’s eyes, as well as the United States, makes him the most ethical and the greatest American president.

In modern times, we have seen great reflection of ethical and religion in the oval office. Certainly, President Jimmy Carter has been intentional about his implementation of religious and ethical views. One example that I remember was the great humility expressed by the Carters when they walked down Pennsylvania Avenue on Inauguration Day. His conduct in office during his time was highly ethical, perhaps to the fault of not achieving many of his ends. His life after the presidency can be seen to be exemplary among all presidents.

President Barack Obama exemplified high moral standards during his entire presidency. Even those who disagreed with his policies respected him for the way in which the Obamas conducted themselves and for the way in which Obama worked for the good of all. Although there are great differences of opinion for the Affordable Care Act, it certainly reflects a concern for basic human rights.

Who are the greatest American Presidents? There will continue to be great differences of opinion. But one things is for sure: following their service to the country there is a higher valuing of these presidents according to their qualities of character, including their moral values, than there was during their time in office. Perhaps these criteria need to be used with greater care in future elections.