Best President from World War 2 to 2012? And why?

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Richard Nixon. He did much more for his country during his tenure then most on this list, and was exactly the kind of leader needed after LBJ. Shame about the Watergate thing.

I would agree that Nixon was a pretty good president aside from Watergate.  As for me, I chose Reagan because he cut taxes (promoting economic growth) and helped end the Cold War peacefully.  FDR's leadership during World War II was great, and, looking at it objectively, I would consider him our third-greatest president (behing Lincoln and Washington, respectively), but even many liberal historians acknowledge that the New Deal didn't end the Great Depression.  Most believe World War II ended it, which I don't entirely agree with, but even one of my history professors said that the New Deal didn't get us out of the Depression, and she happens to be quite liberal.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I agree.  I believe using the atomic bomb was the right decision because had we not used it, the war in the Pacific would have gone on indefinitely, at a potentially greater loss of life.  Though it was certainly not an ideal option, it was the simplest and quickest way to defeat Japan.  As for Jimmy Carter, he was always a great man, but he was one of our worst, if not the worst, president since WWII, and hands down the worst in the past 50 years.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I agree.  I believe using the atomic bomb was the right decision because had we not used it, the war in the Pacific would have gone on indefinitely, at a potentially greater loss of life.  Though it was certainly not an ideal option, it was the simplest and quickest way to defeat Japan.  As for Jimmy Carter, he was always a great man, but he was one of our worst, if not the worst, president since WWII, and hands down the worst in the past 50 years.

Bush?

Looking at it objectively, you've got to admit that Bush did a pretty good job considering what was handed to him (i.e. 9/11, Iraq, Hurricane Katrina).  Some mistakes were made in all of those areas and others (esp. Katrina), but keep that in mind.