In his first eligible year for a presidential poll ranking, Barack Obama has landed at No. 12 on the list of the best men to lead the United States.
The survey results came just before Presidents Day kicked off Monday, Feb. 20. Conducted by C-SPAN three times since 2000, the Presidential Historians Survey asked 91 historians to rank the 43 American leaders in 10 categories. “Pursued Equal Justice For All” and “Public Persuasion” were the two highest-ranked sections for Obama, while “Relations with Congress” was dead last (through no fault of his own).
As for how other presidents fared, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt rounded out the top three for the second time since 2009, when the poll was last conducted. James Buchanan edged out Andrew Johnson to take the final spot on the list. More recent presidents on the list included George W. Bush, who ranked 33rd and Bill Clinton, who ranked 15th, just like he did eight years ago.
Once the national holiday arrived, many voters thanked Obama for his devotion to the country across two terms.
You are loved. You are missed. You are appreciated. Thank you President Obama for your wisdom, grace and kindness. 🇺🇸❤ #PresidentsDay pic.twitter.com/02l6T2N6bt
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) February 20, 2017
@dumptrump33 @realDonaldTrump @BarackObama In honor of President’s Day, I post with great admiration to you, President Obama. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/rEg0BQzZpg
— Karen Skop (@karenskop) February 20, 2017
Thank you Barack Obama for being a great role model as President and the coolest. Thank you! 👏 #PresidentsDay pic.twitter.com/H7h3dQQWOE
— Like That ‼️ (@kobebluez) February 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/Activist777mg/status/833761110322925568
Several Twitter users acted as if Obama was still the head of the United States …
https://twitter.com/winifredtbh/status/833704247392768000
… or that President’s Day wasn’t happening without his leadership.
https://twitter.com/halseylifestyle/status/833700684088369152
Others wished President Donald Trump well on his first President’s Day in office.
Happy Presidents Day @realDonaldTrump! GOD BLESS THE USA!!! 🇺🇸 Praying for you and your family, President Trump. #PresidentsDay
— Lynn Rogers (@mrsrogers2270) February 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/KukierJoanne/status/833505160202575872
Happy Presidents day to Trump, who will go down as one of the greatest Presidents in history! #PresidentsDay #MAGA pic.twitter.com/N4miJwCJQ6
— John doe (@juhhhjgghk) February 20, 2017
Trump himself got in on the celebration by tweeting a “Happy President’s Day” message.
HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY – MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2017
Others focused their holiday festivities on other activities besides acknowledging presidents directly.
On #PresidentsDay , watch @ava 's #13thfilm . Nothing pays better homage to our past presidents than this film. Thank you @ava
— Ramona Gross-Phillips (@RGPhillips_1803) February 20, 2017
Many took part in various #NotMyPresident rallies across the nation.
https://twitter.com/timothykyle/status/833765245441155072
https://twitter.com/TheEditDog/status/833753782332710912