march madness
Which president most increased prosperity in the United States?

Welcome to the Hauenstein Center's fourth annual Tournament of the Presidents. As President Barack Obama attempts to lead the U.S. through some of the toughest economic times in living memory, we look back at our past and consider the impact of presidents on the economy. How responsibly did they manage the budget? How successful were their fiscal and trade policies? Did they provide new opportunities -- or even new lands -- for Americans? Did they respond to crisis, prevent costly wars, or use wars to mobilize industry? These are just a few of the questions you may consider. Based on historical rankings provided by the Wall Street Journal, C-SPAN, and Siena Research Institute, we have selected, bracketed, and seeded 24 American presidents. Over the course of the next five weeks, study up on the 24 candidates, fill out your weekly ballot, and explain your selections on the discussion board. You must select one president from each pairing and click "Save Votes" for your ballot to count. Have your voice heard: return weekly to http://www.allpresidents.org to cast your vote in every round.

groups
 Discuss
Round 1
Feb 16 - Feb 23
 Discuss
Round 2
Feb 23 - Mar 2
 Discuss
Quarterfinals
Mar 2 - Mar 9
 Discuss
Semifinals
Mar 9 - Mar 16
 Discuss
Championship
Mar 16 - Mar 23
Andrew Jackson *
22% George W. Bush
78% James Polk
63% George H.W. Bush
37% Richard Nixon
Lyndon Johnson *
Abraham Lincoln *
61% Harry Truman
39% William McKinley
81% Dwight Eisenhower
19% Gerald Ford
Ronald Reagan *
Theodore Roosevelt *
61% John Kennedy
39% John Adams
59% Woodrow Wilson
41% Calvin Coolidge
Franklin Roosevelt *
George Washington *
83% James Monroe
17% Jimmy Carter
56% Bill Clinton
44% James Madison
Thomas Jefferson *
 
17% George H.W. Bush
83% James Polk
46% Andrew Jackson
54% Lyndon Johnson
67% Dwight Eisenhower
33% Harry Truman
67% Abraham Lincoln
33% Ronald Reagan
71% Theodore Roosevelt
29% John Kennedy
17% Woodrow Wilson
83% Franklin Roosevelt
63% George Washington
38% James Monroe
50% Bill Clinton
50% Thomas Jefferson
 
40% James Polk
60% Lyndon Johnson
40% Dwight Eisenhower
60% Abraham Lincoln
27% Theodore Roosevelt
73% Franklin Roosevelt
80% George Washington
20% Thomas Jefferson
 
32% Lyndon Johnson
68% Abraham Lincoln
50% Franklin Roosevelt
50% George Washington
 
58% Abraham Lincoln
42% George Washington
 
   * indicates president was given a first round bye.

Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies: Illuminating the American presidency to increase civic literacy, learned discourse, and a new generation of leaders.