How long does it take for impartiality

[Citizen James]

A generalized sort of question.  How long does it take before a presidents term can be looked at objectively?   Can it be done from when they leave office, does it take 20-30, or is impartiality a myth which will never be reached?

I am curious as to people's opinions.

[The Duke]

I think it goes through a couple of stages.  When they leave office, we start to write the history, since it is fresh in our minds.  Then, their staffers start writing books praising them, and some Presidents do their own memoirs.  At about 10 years, we can see the bigger picture, and see the long term effect of a President's policies.  Then they die, and we fawn all over them.  After the grief is gone, we can be impartial, unless we had such strong feelings about the person to begin with that we are blind forever.

[classical liberal]

We can't be truly impartial about ayone whose term in office was wittnessed by anyone still alive.  Th oldest people remember McKinley, so Grover Cleveland is the newest president who can be discussed impartially.

[??????????]

We can't be truly impartial about ayone whose term in office was wittnessed by anyone still alive.  Th oldest people remember McKinley, so Grover Cleveland is the newest president who can be discussed impartially.

I agree.

[zachman]

I'd say 70 or 80 years. It requires a person to rethink their party identification when critiqueing a President.