Especially since the advent of television, it seems that the President’s personality has played a larger role in his administration. Love them, or hate them, they definitely get attention when they do or say something. The quiet ones, or the ones that seem content to work through the system, often get forgotten in the public’s memory.
I am going to attempt to narrow the list down to ten Presidents. These are the ones I believe have exhibited super large personalities. Without their bold personal touches, I’m not sure any of them would have received the attention, good or bad, that they have gotten.
Briefly, I will summarize the President. Then I will explain why I believe their personality came out the way it did (The seed that was planted). Next, we will look at what kicked that personality into high gear (What charges that ego?).
In our everyday walks we come across many different personalities. Some of these personalities have a greater influence over us than others do. Does having a stronger personality make a better President? To answer that you would have to know what the country and/or world thought of that President (Perspective) at the time they were President.
Finally, one of the major questions on a big personality is whether that personality has produced more effective results to change our nation (Was it effective?).
I am going to list these Presidents in reverse order as to how much they depended on their personalities to help them through their Presidencies. This is not a popularity test, but rather, a look at the effects a strong personality had on their Presidencies.
Here we go:
10 – Thomas Jefferson (3rd President, 1801-1809)
To look at Thomas Jefferson, without all the history we know today, he just doesn’t seem the type that would want to be President. Don’t get me wrong, he is perhaps the most intellectual of all the Presidents. He was more than qualified. Just look at his resume: member of the Continental Congress, the main contributor to the Declaration of Independence, ambassador, the first Secretary of State, Governor of Virginia, and Vice President are just a few of his accomplishments. What I mean is that he was more of a worker bee. Almost all of the effective Presidents were great leaders. They knew how to motivate people. Jefferson, for his part, seemed to prefer to work behind the scenes. Most of the time he was less concerned about who got the credit, or even who got motivated, as long as things went his way.
Like a few of our other Presidents, Jefferson was born into a well-to-do family. Despite being in this “upper class,” his main appeal was with the “little people.” Where the Federalists wanted the government to have the central role in running the country, Jefferson thought the average citizen was smart enough to figure things out for himself and that the less government the better.
The seed that was planted:
Jefferson was the youngest delegate to the Second Continental Congress. He was greatly influenced by the Enlightenment ideas of philosophers like Locke and Montesquieu. Those philosophers promoted the ideas that reinforced individualism.
What charges that ego?
It seems that Jefferson got his greatest charge when the masses bought into his ideas. Whether it was working behind someone’s, like George Washington’s or Alexander Hamilton’s, back, Jefferson glowed when his ideas won out.
Perspective:
I think the world thought of Jefferson as an epidemic. Jefferson’s world was one of kings and queens. His ideas that the everyday man had just as many rights as royalty rattled the leaders of many countries, including the Federalists in our infant country. The upper class was very comfortable with getting its way and it, in no way, wanted to share those spoils with the workers whose backs filled their storage houses. The “workers,” or everyday citizens, found a hero in Jefferson.
Was it effective?
With his quiet, intelligent, and cunning personality, I believe Jefferson was quite an effective leader. Although government has taken more control of our lives, most of that driving force can be linked to individualism. Instead of the government being used to force the rules that help promote the king and queen, the government pushes the rights to allow people to be the kings and queens of their own worlds. The problem, which we see magnified today, is what happens when two different “individualisms” have two totally opposite ideas of how the kingdom should be run.
9 – Franklin Roosevelt (32nd President, 1933-1945)
Franklin Roosevelt is another one of those surprising Presidents who you would think would appeal more to the upper class rather than the working class. That’s not how things ended up working out with him, though.
When Franklin’s father died, when he was eighteen years old, Franklin became extremely fascinated with his fifth cousin, Theodore Roosevelt. FDR’s road to the White House very much mirrored TR’s. But TR was a Republican and FDR was a Democrat. After TR left the Presidency, he became unsatisfied with his self-chosen successor, William Howard Taft. TR decided to run again for President. When he failed to get the Republican nomination, he just went the third party direction. FDR made the decision to break family ranks and he threw his support to the Democratic nominee, Woodrow Wilson. Most believe that TR was not insulted, but history has shown that the two sides of the Roosevelt clans were never the same after that.
Franklin Roosevelt would contract polio shortly after this. Most thought it was the end of his political career, that is, everyone except FDR. His strong will and stubbornness created the man who would be the only person elected to the Presidency four times.
The seed that was planted:
Most believe FDR’s mom played a huge part in his life. In a day when fathers had very little to do with raising a family, as an only child, FDR received all his mom’s attention, even into adulthood. Theodore Roosevelt also played a great role. Cousin Teddy was the trust busting, progressive President and he seemed an odd fit for a Republican party that counted on business and party bosses for a lot of their support. Although FDR displayed his personality a little different than TR, you can see where his fighting spirit came from.
What charges that ego?
Power seemed to charge his ego. Charisma and an effective use of the “bully pulpit,” as his cousin Teddy would call the Presidency, were the tools he most often used to gain that power. Just like his fifth cousin, FDR wanted things his way and he wanted to leave a legacy that would long outlast his body.
Perspective:
After several Presidents who basically believed the county was very capable of running itself, FDR had a different method to handle the nation’s ills. When the country landed in the Great Depression, he pulled out all the stops. Of course, he was also aided by World War II, which boosted the economy to unprecedented levels. Once America entered that war, FDR’s leadership was a bright shining star on the world stage.
Was it effective?
There is much debate as how effective FDR and his Presidency really were. At the time, his style and his leadership were no doubt effective. In the long term, many may argue that he turned the country from one in which the people worked through the rough times and came out okay despite them, into a nation that is almost completely dependent on the government to solve all of society’s problems.
8 – Barack Obama (44th President, 2009-2017)
One of my favorite comic strips is Peanuts. Charles Schultz combined several dysfunctional kids, including Charlie Brown, into some crafty, humorous situations that all of us can relate to, or have one of the characters that reminds us of someone else. One of my favorite Peanuts characters is not a kid at all, though. He is a beagle named Snoopy. Throughout the series Snoopy dons many unique characters all by himself. One of my favorite Snoopy characters is Joe Cool. Nothing bothers Joe Cool because he knows he is cool regardless of what anyone else thinks. Obama reminds me a lot of Joe Cool. Obama probably enjoyed the celebrity part of being President more than most of the other Presidents. Being able to rub elbows with celebrities, especially sport’s stars, would always bring a grin to his face.
Barack Obama was truly the first African-American President. His dad was born in Kenya, Africa and his mom was born in the United States. Both of his parents died relatively young and this had a profound effect on him, as it would have on any other person in that situation. His grandfather, his mom’s father, encouraged him to find his identity. A “searching” personality might be one way to describe his personality.
Obama had the unique prospective of what bothers many of those who feel America has left them behind, or at the very least treating them as second class citizens. The minorities, the mixed-raced, the legal immigrants, and the social outcasts were crying for equality. The pace of social equality has frustrated many of these. Most of these viewed him as their best hope in achieving that goal. Most of today’s division can probably be traced to different groups of people believing that “We the People” was talking directly to them and their rights to equal representation in our society. Obama’s search became their search.
The seed that was planted:
Many charge Obama with being a Muslim, or being part of some radical un-American African-American Christian congregation. Barack, like most of the Presidents, is probably just a regular attender of church. I thinks those who read that his “religion” influenced his decisions have not read enough about him. Although he might be “spiritual,” I’m pretty sure you are not going to catch him leading any religious revivals.
Obama’s life has been more motivated by looking for who he really is. In that search, I believe, he has found many Americans asking the same question. He feels their pain and wants to help them also realize their “Americanness.”
What charges that ego?
Obama is one of the most competitive Presidents. Give him a sports challenge and he will do his best to beat you. Tell him he can’t do something and he will do his very best to prove you wrong. “Loser” is a word Obama wants nowhere near him.
Perspective:
Obama has probably awakened America the way Thomas Jefferson did. He sometimes struggles with speeches, but behind the scenes he is very effective. The new, all-inclusive America is opening many eyes. One has to wonder if the scales of America will tilt from division to revolution.
Was it effective?
An impatient America always wants to judge Presidents right then and now. I believe that is unfair and impossible to do. Fifty to a hundred years from now, if America is equally diverse and is fully accepting of even the craziest individuals, Obama might be considered one of the early crusaders. If American returns to its old ways, or falls apart all together, some may look to Presidents like Obama as the reaction to the hardening of those individuals who disagreed with him about those changes.
7 – Abraham Lincoln (16th President, 1861-1865)
Abraham Lincoln is the first President on our list that came from rather humble beginnings. Born in rural Kentucky, his mom died very early in his life. As the middle child, yet the first son, his father left him, his older sister, and an eighteen-year-old cousin while he went off to find a new wife. His younger brother had died at just three days old. When his dad returned with the new wife, Lincoln became very attached to her. It also seems that he became more distant with his father.
Lincoln always seemed to have a humorous side. He didn’t seem to be too worried about the effects that humor had on others until after he almost had to fight a duel over some of the words he had written under a pseudonym. After that close encounter, Lincoln seemed to resign his sarcastic style to only taking aim at himself.
The seed that was planted:
Lincoln’s life seems to indicate that his father leaving him, at an early age, had a profound impact on how he faced life. It’s almost like he went out of his way to prove he could make it without him. He threw a lot of himself into education and making himself a better individual. Being a very good “log splitter” and wrestler also showed his competitive side. He was never one to develop real strong friendships, but most people enjoyed being around him.
What charges that ego?
Lincoln seemed to pride himself on his wisdom. He liked to catch people off guard. By downplaying himself, he often had people underestimating him. Before they realized it, they were accomplishing his goals for him.
Perspective:
I think in his day, at least half of the people didn’t think Lincoln was up to the task of being President. A deeply divided country probably thought he was just going to be another one of those one term Presidents. Members of his own Cabinet were plotting against him to replace him as President. As the Union continued to lose one battle after another, and Lincoln’s revolving door of generals seemed to be never ending, the only one who still seemed to believe Lincoln was up to the task was Lincoln himself. It wasn’t until Lee finally surrendered to Grant that people started realizing what a great President they actually had. Unfortunately, Lincoln would only live a few days after that moment and would never see the greatness that is attributed to him today.
Was it effective?
For a man that many considered a country hick, most historians rank Lincoln as the best President we have ever had. Lincoln had the perfect combination of humbleness, humor, wisdom, and intelligence. He never gave up on his idea of keeping the union together. He let people believe whatever they wanted about him without holding it against them. The goal was always more important than the person trying to achieve the goal. Ultimately, that cost him his life, but the martyred President is one of the few Presidents almost everyone can name.
6 – Bill Clinton (42nd President, 1993-2001)
Bill Clinton is a really surprising choice America made for President. Much like Andrew Johnson, who was never elected President, Clinton came from very humble beginnings and a seemingly very dysfunctional family situation. His mother kept marrying abusive men. His dad, William Jefferson Blythe, Jr., died before he was born, but when he married Clinton’s mom, he was also married to another woman. Shortly after Clinton was born, his mom left him with her parents and went off to nursing school. Eventually his mother would come back for him. She would marry another abusive man, Roger Clinton Sr. Bill Clinton would take his stepfather’s last name. It’s not too hard to understand why he might crave popularity. With the lack of a good, strong male influence one could understand, although it is not an acceptable excuse, why he might be the womanizer many claim he is.
It would be easy to debate whether Bill Clinton was a good President or a bad President. Strong opinions are held by both sides of this argument. But I think there is one thing most people could agree with, Clinton, quite possibly, was the man who most enjoyed being President. At times he almost seemed surprised that anyone could dislike him. If he wasn’t President, his bright smile and wandering eyes might have been a little bit amusing to his opponents. When he turned that charm on to the American public, his opponents felt they had no choice but to destroy, or at least remind the public of his bad character.
Bill Clinton was the type of person who could enter a room and immediately command attention. He has the ability to disarm those who are determined to frown. He loved seeing a smiling crowd and he seemed to struggle when they weren’t smiling at his efforts.
The seed that was planted:
As a child of a very dysfunctional family, early on Bill Clinton seemed to thrive in the environments of his grandparents, his mom’s parents, and teachers. At one time he considered music as his life’s calling when he attended St. John’s Catholic Elementary School and Hot Springs High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His high school Latin teacher, Elizabeth Buck, inspired him to study law after he took up the class challenge to argue the defense of ancient Roman Senator Catiline. Clinton also visited the White House as a Boys Nation senator. Here he would meet President Kennedy. That move seemed to seal the deal of him entering politics.
What charges that ego?
Bill Clinton absolutely adored people who adored him. He liked to be put on a pedestal. If you put him on that pedestal he would either consider you a friend or he would pinch your behind, depending on how cute he thought you were.
Perspective:
It is probably a little too early to tell if Bill Clinton’s legacy will have lasting effects. His affair with a White House Intern clouded an already seedy image. Today, men who take advantage of women are almost looked down on as much as those who used to own slaves. His wife, Hillary, has also overshadowed him with her dominate demeanor.
Was it effective?
All the bringing together of America in the Reagan years seemed to fade during the Clinton years. I’m not sure what it was, but both sides of the political aisles dug in their heels during his years in office. There were those who loved him and those who hated him. There were not too many in-between. It was the start of an era that hasn’t changed since. Now we either hate our Presidents or we love them and there aren’t too many people in-between with every President since.
5 – Ronald Reagan (40th President, 1981-1989)
Ronald Reagan is my favorite President during my lifetime. I don’t look at Reagan with glowing eyes of perfection, but how he tried to inspire us to all be proud of our country. We had sunk very low and there seemed to be nothing on the horizon to change that. The Reagan landslide, which swept Jimmy Carter out of office, wasn’t so much a case of Americans believing in Ronald Reagan as it was a case of rolling the dice and taking a chance of someone totally different. Americans, even those who disagreed with his policies, came to admire and respect him. He grew on us and in turn we started liking each other again.
Reagan had a huge advantage over most of the Presidents. In an age where the media, including television, has had a greater influence on our lives, as an actor, he was perfect for the role. He calmed us down, and in perhaps the greatest movie role of his life, he inspired us to believe, again, that it truly is a great country we live in. In front of the camera, there have been no equals in the Presidencies. Most of the Presidents that have followed him have stolen pages from his notebook for their own Presidential performances.
The seed that was planted:
Born in a small town in Illinois, Ronald Reagan’s father seemed to struggle to find his way in this world. Poor eyesight didn’t seem to help Ronald Reagan’s situation either. When life hands some people these conditions, many will just sink in despair. Reagan was driven to handle things differently. I’m not sure what is was that made Reagan so driven to change his circumstances, but he worked hard to make sure his adult life was more comfortable than his youth.
What charges that ego?
America seemed to charge Ronald Reagan’s ego. Reagan really was proud of our country. We live in a great country and he wanted us to realize it, too. Even the bad decisions he made, like Iran-Contra, he truly felt he was doing it to make America a better country. Unlike most Presidents, Reagan’s drive seemed more motivated by his love for America rather than power, self-elevation, or even policy.
Perspective:
Ronald Reagan was one of those rare, two-term landslide victory Presidents. Equally amazing is the fact that he kept his popularity to the end and is still very popular today. Barack Obama, in one of his books, even commented that he could not understand the lingering popularity of Ronald Reagan.
Was it effective?
It might still be a little early to tell how history will view Ronald Reagan. His footprints are stamped on most Presidential State of the Union Speeches and presentations in front of the camera. That part was very effective and even though some future Presidents might tweak it here or there, I think there will always be some of Reagan’s style to those presentations.
4 – George Washington (1st President, 1789-1797)
This was the easiest of the picks for this blog. Larger than life then, and now, it is hard to imagine that there will ever be another President who was so well thought of. Several officers in the Continental Army tried to undermine his authority so they could take charge themselves. Washington never worried and they always failed. Even when he was President, you may not have agreed with him, but it was sacred to touch his character. Thomas Jefferson had to tip-toe around areas he disagreed with Washington, and he usually worked behind Washington’s back to work his angles. Washington was shocked when he found out Jefferson disagreed with him and was working the other side behind his back.
Washington almost always craved the military life. When he discovered he was good at it, he wanted to rise as high as he could. One of the biggest British mistakes of the Revolutionary War was that they limited the rise in rank of George Washington. Despite not winning too many battles, Washington outlasted the British and finally forced them to surrender. After that his popularity was set on a pedestal and very few Presidents have ever come close to that same high esteem.
The seed that was planted:
When George Washington was eleven years old his father died. George would inherit his father’s property in Ferry Farm, Virginia, while his half-brother, Lawrence would inherit what would eventually be renamed Mount Vernon. George adored his half-brother and when Lawrence became an adjutant general, George decided he wanted to follow in his footsteps. George would eventually inherit Mount Vernon when Lawrence and his wife both died.
Lawrence’s father-in-law, William Fairfax was also a great supporter and sponsor of George Washington. His influence also played a huge part in Washington’s rise.
What charges that ego?
George Washington was motivated by his image. He wanted to be that guy that everyone put on a pedestal. He often had a hard time believing anyone would dislike him or would do anything to undermine him behind his back. When even a little hint of tarnish came to his shiny armor, Washington would quickly buff as hard as he could to make it shiny again.
Perspective:
George Washington’s status, character, and sincere sense of duty were so strong that everyone knew never to question it then. Even those who opposed him were very carefully not to question those traits. Washington was the only person during our formative years that could keep us together. His clout was not to be questioned.
Was it effective?
Unquestionably, George Washington was a great leader. His standing has even survived the test of time. Often I think Americans look over the horizon in hopes that another Washington will ride on to the scene and save us.
3 – Andrew Jackson (7th President, 1828-1837)
Andrew Jackson was the feistiest of the Presidents. When you think of spunk in the Presidents, Jackson probably sits on top of that list. His rough personality started with his birth. His mother was traveling when he was born and questions persist as to whether he was actually born in North or South Carolina. Jackson lost his father when he was very young. When the British invaded his small town, when he was just a little boy, young Andy went kicking and screaming when he was captured. Thereafter, he never liked the British. He would get his revenge in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. That victory made him a national hero.
Often when Americans claim their individual independence, or freedoms, they point to the Declaration of Independence or the Founding Fathers. A closer look at those claims would show there were very little of either for the average citizen. Most of those rewards went to landowners and office holders. We were much more of a republic than we were a democracy. Almost all of our national officers were “elected” by state representatives, not the popular elections.
All that changed with the election of Andrew Jackson. Jackson lost the Presidential Election of 1824 to John Quincy Adams. Jackson overwhelmingly won the popular vote. He even won the Electoral College vote. Since there were four candidates in the election, Jackson didn’t receive a majority of the Electoral Votes. The election was turned over to the House and they basically chose the one they liked, not the one most people picked, to be President. Jackson would spend the next four years campaigning to change that. In the next election, the Election of 1828, Jackson would get his revenge on the system, and on John Quincy Adams, by winning and becoming President. He would use a new idea called a political party to guide him to victory. His new party was called the Democrats, and democracy, as we know it today, was born. “The people’s” voice now carried some weight.
The seed that was planted:
A rough beginning to life yielded a very tough adult. He was personal bred to believe that standing up for justice, and not standing by watching injustice, was something you fought for. People weren’t going to treat him unfairly without getting some bumps and bruises in the process. This toughness inspired others to follow him, because they didn’t want to be treated unfairly either.
What charges that ego?
Simply put, a fight. He not only fought many a battle on the battlefield, he also was in many duels. He had been shot at and punched, but he never backed down. In fact, if it was a fight they wanted, that’s what he would give them. This carried over into politics. If you didn’t want to fight with him, just sit over there in the corner and shut up, and do what he said.
Perspective:
Andrew Jackson was a very scary figure for those who wanted to keep things the way they were. Since Jackson was a little man (average everyday citizen), he not only fought for them, he became their leader and hero.
Was it effective?
In our history there have only been a few who have tilted the scales of how things work in our system of government. We have had many great leaders, but very few who have changed the way we think about things. Andrew Jackson was one of those that changed the way government worked. No longer were the elite the only ones who got their way. No longer did things always have to operate the way they had always operated. Jackson helped us take the first steps toward an all-inclusive “We the people.” Even though it was never his intention, even slaves would be inspired by his methods to claim their own freedom.
2 – Donald Trump (45th President, 2017-Present)
There is one thing that almost everyone can agree on about Donald Trump: he has a bigger than life personality. This personality may isolate some, but it rallies others. If egos could fit into boxes, Trump would need a very large one for his ego.
Donald Trump was born the son of a New York City developer. Like a little kid eating too much sugar, Trump energetically expanded on his father’s ideas and helped reshape downtown New York. Success, to him, is judged by how many dollar bills you can put in your wallet or how big of a check you are able to write. Trump loves America because it is a capitalist country with boundless opportunities for anyone who works hard. In Trump World, those who do not buy into his system or have different beliefs or priorities, are un-American. His philosophy is get onboard or get trampled.
The Donald is not the first President to have this type of personality. The 24-hour news cycle, television, the internet, and social media just make it so much easier to “perform” in front of the whole American audience. There is no good or bad publicity to Donald Trump, just publicity. I think that is one thing the media and opponents fail to realize about him. If you stopped talking about him, it would drive him nuts. He usually wins if he frustrates you.
The seed that was planted:
Donald Trump seems to strive to prove to his father that he is worthy of waving the family banner. In an age when the first born son seemed to become the family heir, Donald rested in the shadows of his older brother. Donald did not resent that role and thought very highly of his brother. When his older brother didn’t seem to have the enthusiasm or desire to carry on the family banner, Donald seemed to lose his high esteem for his brother. When his brother resorted to alcohol to escape the pressure of being the family disappointment, Donald didn’t have sympathy for his brother, but thought of him as weak. Seeing his brother lose his battle with alcohol has caused Donald to not drink at all.
What charges that ego?
Trump’s ego seems to be charged by failure and losing. He doesn’t want to have either in his life. Having his name be front and center of everyone’s conversation also seems to charge him up. It doesn’t even seem like it matters if his name is presented in a good way or a bad way, just as long as it is there.
Perspective:
In a nation that is suffering from a long illness of division, Trump is not the doctor trying to cure that problem. Many times in our history we have struggled with our identity. Do we want to be an isolationist nation or do we want to be a world influencer? If you side with the isolationist opinion, and you want America to return to the “good old days,” you are probably more willing to give Trump a chance. If you believe America needs to be more tolerant with different lifestyles and beliefs, and that America should be a key contributor to the world stage, you probably feel our nation is doomed with Trump.
Was it effective?
It is way, way too early to tell. I’m sure many of the Presidents on our list never imagined their influence would have lasting effects. Often what is radical one day becomes the norm the next day. Donald Trump has definitely stretched the limits of Presidential power. Is that good or bad? I guess time will tell.
1 – Theodore Roosevelt (26th President, 1901-1909)
Theodore Roosevelt’s personality is so large all you have to do is say his initials, TR, and everyone will know exactly who you are talking about. His daughter, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, once said, of her father: “My father wanted to be the corpse at every funeral, the bride at every wedding and the baby at every christening.” Teddy not only loved being in front of the crowd, he thought that no one was better suited for that position than he was. Very few historians would rank Teddy Roosevelt as one of the top four Presidents, yet, there he sits as one of the four Presidents on Mount Rushmore.
When Teddy was a kid, he was very sickly. He reached deep inside himself and refused to accept his condition. Somewhere in there he found the tough as nails, Rough Rider who would become President. Danger never scared him. It didn’t matter, whether it was charging up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War, wild trips through the Amazon, or even being shot in the chest as he was on the way to give a political speech (he continued on with the speech and didn’t go get help until he had finished the speech), Roosevelt basically laughed off danger.
The seed that was planted:
Theodore Roosevelt seemed to greatly admire his tough father. His father’s tough as nails, get off the couch you lazy bum approach to his poor health as a child seemed to be what TR needed to beat that poor health. Roosevelt would carry that same approach with him the rest of his life. It became the way he handled almost all the difficult situations that came his way.
What charges that ego?
Being the number one person in the room. Even at FDR and Eleanor’s wedding he would upstage them. It never bothered him that he might be stealing someone else’s thunder. He wanted to be the lightning bolt everyone saw.
Perspective:
Everyone loved Teddy Roosevelt. If he decided to run for reelection, instead of handing it off to his self-chosen successor, William Howard Taft, he would have been easily reelected. In fact, when he came back four years later, because he was not satisfied with the job Taft was doing, he would probably have beaten Woodrow Wilson for the Presidency if Taft had stepped aside. When he ran as a third party candidate, against Taft and Wilson, he got far more votes than Taft did. Even after TR’s death, candidates sought TR’s family’s anointment to bless their campaigns.
Was it effective?
When Teddy Roosevelt sailed our famous White Fleet, to intimidate other countries, he brought his tough persona to the American culture. Ever since then we have always seemed to be more than willing to show our muscles to the world when we need to. His toughness became our toughness.
Summary:
A big personality definitely plays a big role in defining some of our Presidents. Most of these big personalities had major opposition to their Presidencies. One of the most glaring aspects of this study is that, whether you liked them or you hated them, America changed because of their presence. Is this a good thing or a bad thing for America? I guess it depends on whether you see that President as either a hero or a villain.
