Who is the smartest U.S. President of all Time? Ob

My friends and I (all history/politics geeks) were debating who the smartest president of all time was -- or is. Note that when we say "smartest," we mean book smart. 

I did an internet search to see if we could find any good "Top 10 lists." I came up empty, except for a couple of articles like this one: 

Who is The Smartest US. President of All Time? Is It Obama?

The article narrows it down to Obama, Wilson, and Jefferson.

But Arthur, Garfield, Cleveland and Lyndon Johnson were themselves teachers. 

What's your take on this? Would Jefferson win the accolade for biggest book nerd? Would he win the superlative for "most intelligent"? I haven't done enough research on the more obscure presidents to come to a definitive answer.

Willie Jeff Clinton is a Rhoads Scholar.  Beyond that, I don't know.

Impeachment failed, and I might point out that several on your list had problems keeping it in their pants. It's a time honored presidential tradition.

Originally posted by red clay Impeachment failed, and I might point out that several on your list had problems keeping it in their pants. It's a time honored presidential tradition.

Perhaps, but isn't the subject about intelligence rather than morality?

I'd buy the iphone over the current joke in the WH. Sry Meden comparably and even contextually, he is neither the best educated nor did he possess the necessary preparatory skills for the position..imo.

Again, it gets back to definition. Using a standard I was aware of for 2 decades plus..'best educated' is inclusive of formal education, training, and experience. He fails in 2 of 3.

It also included the ability of being informed and an ability to formulate objective analysis during the decision making process. And rendering the necessary judgement or taking the necessary actions to ensure the accomplishment of whatever mission or objective was desired.

This also might include characteristics that involved morality questions. But it certainly did not stand alone on formal education as a sole qualifier.

Hence the entire question is deceptive at best specious at worst. As historians, especially formally trained and experienced, do not address education as the sole primary qualifier of whether a President was successful. And while that was not the original question. It should have been.

All else is for amateurs and parlor games.

Edited by Centrix Vigilis - 17-Jul-2014 at 13:57

Never.

Back to the subject, Clinton Powell may be the "smartest president", since he was intelligent enough to refuse the position...on the same theory as the highest reward for combat being the Medal of Honor - Declined.

Ol' "Slick Willie" is a clever one..

& wasn't he held up to account - for lying, rather than dippin' his wick?

It wasn't rape, & adultery aint a firin' offence for the Chief, AFAIK..


Harry S.T. - also had a good brain, but Ronnie R, like Gerry F, lost most of his higher cerebral function to acquired brain injury, AFAIR..

Edited by J.A.W. - 24-Jun-2015 at 22:57