Top 5 Favorite Presidents

[Mechaman]

Hmm, let me see here:

1. Thomas Jefferson (Democratic Republican-Virginia)
2. Calvin Coolidge (Republican-Massachusetts)
3. S. Grover Cleveland (Democratic-New York)
4. John Q. Adams (National Republican-Massachusetts)
5. Chester A. Arthur (Republican-New York)

[Mechaman]

Sanity is relative, Antonio.

Yeah, not sure that I would put John Freaking Tyler on my top 5.  However it's kind of impossible for there to be a sort of objective consensus about "favorite" presidents.  I mean yeah, there are a lot of ketchup fans but that doesn't change the fact that there are mustard fans or clam chowder fans.

[/moderate hero rant]

[Mechaman]

I think Reagan was a horribly awful President, but I can understand why some people would think he was a great one. Same (to a lesser extent) for H. W. Bush, McKinley, Jackson, etc. But as for Tyler, it just makes no sense. It's not that I particularly dislike him or his policies; he was just an epic failure.

Yes I agree.

It takes a particularly brave soul to defend John Tyler.  I mean, people can at least say Buchanan was dealt a bad card.....

[Mechaman]

Eh...

Not sure on mine.

Hmm, let me see here:

1. Thomas Jefferson (Democratic Republican-Virginia)
2. Calvin Coolidge (Republican-Massachusetts)
3. Grover S. Cleveland (Democratic-New York)
4. John Q. Adams (National Republican-Massachusetts)
5. Chester A. Arthur (Republican-New York)

Makes sense I guess. Why do you like JQA though? I like him too, but from what I know, no libertarian should like him.

He wasn't THAT bad.  And anyway, I don't really consider myself libertarian now days.  Too many Scotmanesque qualities in there that prevents me from really thinking through various issues (no offense guys).
It's not really the fault of people who are libertarians, just that the philosophy is set up that way.  Mint pretty much nails it on the head with the "you're either whole hog or you're not" spiel.  I'd guess if I'm anything I'm probably a VERY cynical classical liberal.

[/awaits inevitable flame war]

And anyway, he is definitely a principled man who held some brave views and I believe had a courage that was unequal of his day, even if he was a crazy tariff supporter.  And a few bolts and nuts saner than his successor in office.