I'm going to rank several ahead of it. Could make arguments for several others as well. But I'd put this one as maybe #10 so far, if not lower. Remains to be seen.
1. Washington, obviously. 2. John Adams. Peaceful transition of power through electoral process, first contested election. 3. Thomas Jefferson. Peaceful transition to opposition party through electoral process. 4/5. Abraham Lincoln (both elections). Transition to radical party through electoral process; re-election during civil war. 6/7. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1932, 1944). Transition of power during severe economic crisis; election of physically handicapped individual; re-election during global war and against tradition. 8. John F. Kennedy. First election of a Catholic and first election influenced by television. 9. Rutherford B Hayes. First truly stolen presidential election.
I'd rank Obama's as a tie for #1 because of a simple reason. The person being inaugurated today would not have been considered a person when the country was founded. You rank FDR as 6/7, but we're in an economic crisis today, few knew he was handicapped, re-election in the midst of war is more of a given than a surprise and electing a black man is certainly "against tradition". Your #2 and #3 are important, but more in a "ok, this is actually going to work" sort of way. Same with your #4. A vaccum was being filled. #5? Same as your #7. #8, Important, but Catholics aren't as marginalized throughout much of this nation's history. #9 I don't see a stolen election at a time when a majority of the population couldn't vote as being more important than the election of someone who wouldn't have been able to vote back then.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2009-01-20 03:39 pm (UTC)1. Washington, obviously.
2. John Adams. Peaceful transition of power through electoral process, first contested election.
3. Thomas Jefferson. Peaceful transition to opposition party through electoral process.
4/5. Abraham Lincoln (both elections). Transition to radical party through electoral process; re-election during civil war.
6/7. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1932, 1944). Transition of power during severe economic crisis; election of physically handicapped individual; re-election during global war and against tradition.
8. John F. Kennedy. First election of a Catholic and first election influenced by television.
9. Rutherford B Hayes. First truly stolen presidential election.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-20 03:51 pm (UTC)You rank FDR as 6/7, but we're in an economic crisis today, few knew he was handicapped, re-election in the midst of war is more of a given than a surprise and electing a black man is certainly "against tradition".
Your #2 and #3 are important, but more in a "ok, this is actually going to work" sort of way. Same with your #4. A vaccum was being filled. #5? Same as your #7.
#8, Important, but Catholics aren't as marginalized throughout much of this nation's history.
#9 I don't see a stolen election at a time when a majority of the population couldn't vote as being more important than the election of someone who wouldn't have been able to vote back then.