Presidents’ Day is actually Washington’s Birthday. That makes sense when you consider how Washington is still a much beloved president. And according to a recent survey, the most favoured president.
What is worth nothing is that most Americans know little of the 19th century presidents, save the big names like Lincoln, Grant, and (Teddy) Roosevelt. Not until the other Roosevelt (FDR) do we start seeing a decline in “Not Sure” responses. But, by far, Washington and Lincoln are the most favoured presidents.
The questions for all of us on this holiday are who’s your favourite? And how does he stack up? (Get it? Eh, chart humour.)
Author: Brendan Barry
I am a graphic designer who focuses on information design. My day job? Well, they asked me not to say. But to be clear, this blog is my something I do on my own time and does not represent the views of…my employers. I think what I can say is that given my interest in information design—be it in the shape of clear charts, maps, diagrams, or wayfinding systems—I am fortunate that my day job focuses on data visualisation. Outside of work, I try to stay busy with personal design work. Away from the world of design, I have become an amateur genealogist and family historian. You will sometimes see that area of work bleed into my posts.
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2 thoughts on “Presidential Popularity”
Madison and Reagan top my chart. I have only a slightly lower opinion of government and politics than did they.
I imagine that Madison polled fairly well because we learn about his role in the whole founding of the country. But most of those early presidents don’t have particularly bad unfavourable numbers. Reagan, like many ‘modern’ presidents that many people clearly remember, suffers from our current sense of partisan divide and the not-yet-present lens of history.
Madison and Reagan top my chart. I have only a slightly lower opinion of government and politics than did they.
I imagine that Madison polled fairly well because we learn about his role in the whole founding of the country. But most of those early presidents don’t have particularly bad unfavourable numbers. Reagan, like many ‘modern’ presidents that many people clearly remember, suffers from our current sense of partisan divide and the not-yet-present lens of history.