Poll to FREEP: Is Abraham Lincoln a Great President or the Greatest President?

State Journal Register ^ | February 12, 2009 | the eagle has landed

[TheEaglehasLanded]

Abraham Lincoln ...

Great president 46.6% Greatest president 53.4%

[TheEaglehasLanded]

I think Washington was the greatest president, he could have been a king or emporer and turned it down. He organized what basically was militia into a military that defeated the best military in the world.

He started from scratch as President, didn't have anyone to learn from and was one of the founders in drafting the Declaration and organizing a government under the constitution.

He then served 2 terms and left setting the example that noone should violated until 1940 with FDR.

[Nephi]

I am surprised America survived Lincoln. (audio links on my profile page.) I hope America survives Barry Soetoro.

[babubabu]

greatest? no way. That would be Jefferson.

[LeoWindhorse]

poll lists :
Abraham Lincoln
great President ?
or greatest President ?

how about
not a great President ?

Deo Vindice

[malkee]

John Adams was not the greatest president, but he was the greatest man to be president.

[Stonewall Jackson]

I agree that overall, Washington was the greatest. The greatest in modern times was Ronald Reagan, hands down.

[TheEaglehasLanded]

I’m from Springfield, IL. I don’t consider him our greatest President. Washington, Madison, Jefferson set up a Republic for Lincoln to save. They all have to be rated higher.

[ducdriver]

I’ll take the General over the Lawyah any day. Washington.

[goldstategop]

Abraham Lincoln as the first Republican President ended slavery and saved the Union. He was the father of the American nation. Before 1860, most people saw themselves first as citizens of their state and only then as Americans. After 1865, it was clear there was only one nationality: American. The Civil War settled the identity of the country.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[TheThinker]

John Adams was not the greatest president, but he was the greatest man to be president.

Adams is way up there on my list of great men who became president, as is Washington and Madison. Lincoln was one of the greatest, no doubt but I think Washington is just as great and underestimated.

[Stonewall Jackson]

His birthplace is fifteen miles down the road. While I agree that freeing the slaves was a fine and noble idea, a number of the actions he took during the course of the Civil War were horrendous.

[miliantnutcase]

And big government was born...

[WheresMyBailout]

He’s #4 on my list.

[rbmillerjr]

George Washington

involved in

Defeating Brits during Rev.
Dec. Independence
US Constitution
Note: Could have been King. Decided to create a Republic.

[Lonely Bull]

Are they kidding? We can tell them who the real greatest president is. Yes, we can!!!!!1!

(j/k)

[Gator113]

“The Civil War settled the identity of the country.”

Will the next, do the same.....

[microgood]

He was the father of the American nation. Before 1860, most people saw themselves first as citizens of their state and only then as Americans. After 1865, it was clear there was only one nationality: American. The Civil War settled the identity of the country.

Ironically, at the same time he was preserving the country, he was driving the first major stake into the heart of the Constitution.

His success marked the beginning of the end of the Republic. He saved it only to ensure its eventual destruction.

[word_warrior_bob]

You link to the 9/11 truther movie “loose change” and footage of “demolition” of WTC 7. Are you a 9/11 truther?

[FBD]

I vote for Washington.

They wanted him to be a king, and he refused. Think Zero or Bubba would have turned down that offer? nope.

We know FDR wouldn't have!

[neb52]

I think Adams was hampered by two things. One, he was a moderate compared to the two very radicalizing factions and thus really didn’t have allies in Congress. Two, he was pretty old and by his time to serve most men in the political class were the children of the revolutionaries. Not being a military officer and not being head of a faction kept him out of the limelight.