The Best Democratic Presidents, #1

The title of this post may seem like an oxymoron, but nonetheless, here goes:

Andrew Jackson (1829-37)- "Old Hickory" had two things going for him, he was born in the beautiful state of South Carolina and he was a Presbyterian. Today he is remembered as one of the most famous Tennesseans and a war hero who became president.

Amazingly, Jackson fought as a child in the Revolutionary War for a few years before the casualties of war (mainly illness) left him an orphan when his mother died. He was barely 15. Despite this setback, Jackson ascended to great heights, representing the self-made American frontiersman. And although he was scorned as an adulterer (for living with a woman who had been abandoned by her husband), Jackson won American favor through his leadership in various skirmishes against the Indians and in the War of New Orleans--where his rag-tag group did the unthinkable and triumphed over the mighty British army.

As president, Jackson fought for state authority, and in his biggest triumph, helped to dissolve the 2nd Bank of the United States, an unfair financial system that gave privilege to the government and its leaders.

Still, Jackson was a man with a terrible temper, who was no friend of the Indian, or the slave. He even supported "gag rules" which kept debates about slavery off the floors of Congress. Andrew Jackson also botched the purchase of Texas and brought the U.S. to the verge of war with Mexico as Texas declared its independence.

Andrew Jackson was a fascinating character, a man of many talents and successes, the founder of the Democratic Party and the champion of the two-party system. Jackson also cast himself as a man of the people, speaking in plan English as an advocate for the people, and against special interests. And though he was derisively called, "King Andrew" for his expansive executive powers, he did squash the national debt and fight off early threats of secession on his way to preserving the strength of the United States.

Next: Grover Cleveland

Comments

[Aaron Bowdoin]

I like when you find a point of view you fundamentally disagree with and approach it with a fresh perspective. Some of your best work!!!!!

[Royce Buller]

Until I got to the end and saw that Grover Cleveland was your number two.....I thought: What is he thinking? I look forward to your comments about Cleveland....the "veto president." He would never make it today. Not only did he not campaign to be president, but he vetoed everything in sight....including disaster relief and widow's (of veterans) benefits.