The CSpan 2017 Presidential Survey saw several Presidents who dropped dramatically in stature and reputation over the history of the three polls in 2000, 2009, and 2017. This is defined as four or more slots in decline.
Woodrow Wilson (D) dropped from 6 to 9 to 11.
Andrew Jackson (D) dropped from 13 in 2000 and 2009 to 18 in 2017.
Grover Cleveland (D) dropped from 17 to 21 to 23.
Jimmy Carter (D) dropped from 22 to 25 to 26.
Rutherford B. Hayes (R) dropped from 26 to 33 and then up slightly to 32.
Martin Van Buren (D) dropped from 30 to 31 to 34.
John Tyler (D to W) was 36, went up to 35 and then dropped to 39.
At the same time that five Democrats dropped in the polls, 8 of the top 15 in the poll were Democrats (FDR, Truman, JFK, LBJ, Wilson, Obama, Polk, Clinton), to 4 Republicans (Lincoln, TR, Ike, Reagan), 2 Democratic Republicans (Jefferson, Monroe), and 1 Federalist (Washington).
With only four Republicans in the top 15 (all in the top 10), the only other Republicans in the top 20 are McKinley (16) and Bush Senior (20), with the other three in the top 20 being Democratic Republican Madison (17), Democrat Andrew Jackson (18), and Federalist John Adams (19).
Professor,
During that span mentioned, we have added only 2 Presidents ( three if you count Trump, but despite his one month in office, history needs a little seasoning before we can place him in his true ranking. So, the only thing that has changed is time and perception.
So, it only goes to prove Will Durant’s observation:
“History is mostly guessing; the rest is prejudice.”
What you say holds a lot of truth, Paul!
Speaking of switching, more white Obama voters switched to third-party candidates than voted for Trump.
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/23/can-we-finally-ditch-the-white-working-class-myth-obama-to-trump-voters-werent-the-problem/