James Buchanan moves up one rung

Many historians rank our 15th president, and the only president from Pennsylvania, as the worst President in U.S. history.  Today we had a President’s Day party at the Democratic Information Center in Lehighton to celebrate the great news that Buchanan had moved up one rung.  He is no longer the nation’s worst president.

I’ll admit he was not a very good president, supporting the Dred Scott decision, not recognizing that the country was headed toward civil war, and blaming abolitionists for the war when it came.  On the other hand, 

– he never used his office for personal financial gain;

– he did not take advantage of a foreign hostile power to win office;

– he did not suppress votes;

– he did not attack the press;

– he did not abuse or belittle women;

– he did oppose the anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant Know Nothing party;

– he did not threaten war with foreign powers; 

– he did read books; and 

– he did not bring the office of the Presidency into disrepute.

He may have been bad, but he is definitely no longer our worst.