A leading association of political scientists have released the data from their most recent survey and a ratings-obsessed Donald Trump is not going to be happy. They detailed their findings in the New York Times:
Since our previous survey in 2014, some presidential legacies have soared (Barack Obama’s stock has climbed into the Top 10), while others have fallen (Andrew Jackson toppled to 15, out of the Top 10).
And President Trump? Let’s say that, according to the 170 members of the American Political Science Association’s Presidents and Executive Politics section who filled out our survey, he has at least three years to improve on an ignominious debut.
“Ignominious debut.” OUCH! Brutal. So where do they place Trump in the presidential rankings? Dead last.
James Buchanan, who was at the helm as the United States careened into civil war, was dislodged from his position as our nation’s worst president by our current president, Trump.
His Oval Office predecessor, Barack Obama, shot into the Top 10, up from 18th in the previous survey. Ulysses S. Grant also got a bump, up seven places from 2014, perhaps owing to a strong assist from Ron Chernow’s recent masterpiece.
Even Republicans realized he’s a disaster.
Trump doesn’t get much of a lift from Republican-only vote: Even in their eyes, he’s a bottom-five president.
The association concluded Trump still has time to turn it around, but if his failed businesses are any indicator, that isn’t likely to happen.