Curious George vs. Tricky Dick: Who's the Better President?

Richard Nixon vs. George W. Bush


Q1) Which was a better President?

Nixon

Q2) Which leaned farther to the right?

Hard to answer. Does 'right' mean libertarian right or religious right? Does it mean fiscal hawk or military hawk? I would say Bush is farther to the 'right' in the negative sense - abandoning the poor and invading our privacy.

Q3) Which was more politically flexible?

Nixon. Seemed to be realpolitik all the way. What gets the job done.

Q4) Which was more honest?

Bush. Ignorance is bliss. I really don't think he tells what he thinks are lies. I just think he's an idiot.

Q5) Which was smarter?

Er, Nixon.

Q6) Which had been the better candidate for the office?

Nixon. He was governor, Senator, and VP. 10x as smart.

Q8) Which engendered a greater climate of political polarization and entrenchment?

Hard to compare I think because Nixon's era had a lot more upheaval and polarization as a result of the times and not necessarily Nixon himself. He had a lot of 'Law and Order' theme but that's what was going to get him in office on the back of riots across the country.

Q9) Which was better on Foreign Affairs?

Nixon. There can be no comparison here.

Q10) Which was better on Domestic Affairs?

Nixon. Neither were spectacular but Bush doesn't even seem to have a plan other than to throw out things so he can say he HAS a domestic agenda.


And finally, last question...if you had to vote for one for President...if there are no other options, and you can't abstain...which do you choose?

Nixon. Take a devil over an unpredictable monkey.

 

Damn, HayesStreet, nice post. I think you hit many of the important differences in a way most people should be able to understand. Thanks for clearing up some of the underbrush I was trying to wade through.

 

I'm sorry, HayesStreet, but you are incorrect.

Nixon was never a governor. He ran for Governor of California in 1962 and was defeated by Edmund G. "Pat" Brown....Jerry Brown's father. He was a Congressman from 1946-1950, a Senator from 1950-1952, and VP from 1952-1960.

 

Q5) Which is smarter?

Richard Nixon is one of the smartest post war presidents we have ever had. He had a reported IQ of 143. Bush has never had an IQ test, or never reported the results of it, but he scored a 1206 on his SAT's. Bush is not the idiot that liberals make him out to be, but he doesn't compare to Nixon in sheer brain power.

 

Good catch, RMT. I missed it too. Hell, he was famous for losing the California race in 1962 with his classic line (I hope I'm close), "Well, now you won't Nixon to kick around anymore." He was astonished and bitter at losing, having lost such a close race for President to JFK only 2 years before.

 

Armaggedon approaches ...

RMT, you are right. Not sure why I said governor.

 

Hayes, I know Nixon could have seen the distinction between the level of threat posed Stalin and Sadam and Hussein.

Have you realized it, yet?

 

That will teach me to post while putting most of my attention on working. Damn edit function.

Edit.

Hayes, I know Nixon would have been able to distinguish the level of threat posed by Stalin vs. that posed by Sadam Hussein.

Have you learned that distinction, yet?

 

btw: thanks deckard.

Hey glynch,

You'd be hard pressed to find me comparing the two, so I'm not sure what this is all about. Nixon definitely would have realized Stalin is dead and Hussein is/was more of a threat .