That question has been debated since John Adams took over for George Washington. Periodically, politicians, historians and public polls address this question, which is always subjective and open to further debate.

A poll of 58 historians conducted by C-SPAN in 2000 asked the scholars to rank the presidents, based on 10 leadership qualities, such as crisis leadership, administrative skills, international relations and vision/agenda setting. Here's how it turned out:

Best

1. Abraham Lincoln.

2. Franklin D. Roosevelt

3. George Washington

4. Theodore Roosevelt

5. Harry S Truman

Worst

1. James Buchanan

2. Andrew Johnson

3. Franklin Pierce

4. Warren G. Harding

5. William Henry Harrison

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Wisdom of the presidents

Some wit, wisdom, advice and reflection from our presidents:

"Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire — conscience."

—George Washington

"The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted."

—James Madison

"As long as our Government is administered for the good of the people and is regulated by their will, it will be worth defending."

—Andrew Jackson

"The law is the only sure protection of the weak and the only efficient restraint upon the strong."

—Millard Fillmore

"Let us have faith that right makes might, and, in that faith, let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it."

—Abraham Lincoln

"Labor disgraces no man; unfortunately, you occasionally find men disgrace labor."

—Ulysses S. Grant

"Liberty to make our laws does not give us license to break them."

—William McKinley

"Life is a great adventure."

—Theodore Roosevelt

"Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die. And it is youth who must inherit the tribulation, the sorrow, and the triumphs that are the aftermath of war."

—Herbert Hoover

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

—John F. Kennedy

"A man who has never lost himself in a cause bigger than himself has missed one of life's mountaintop experiences."

—Richard Nixon