In a survey undertaken by the Federalist Society and the Wall Street Journal, 78 scholars were asked to rank the 39 U.S. presidents who have served more than a few months in office. The sponsors claim it is the most politically balanced ranking of the presidents to date.
Among Twentieth Century presidents ranked “Below Average” were Gerald Ford, Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon.
The scholars ranked Ronald Reagan as the most Underrated president – as well as the second most Overrated – suggesting a lack of academic consensus about his presidency.
Kennedy was the most Overrated president by a wide margin.
Source: James Lindgren (Northwestern University) and Steven G. Calabresi (Northwestern and the Federalist Society), Ranking the Presidents, Wall Street Journal, November 16, 2000.
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