16. William McKinley (1897-1901)
For his public persuasion skills, historians give McKinley high marks. He enacted history’s highest protective tariff, and America experienced an industrial boom under his leadership. Through the Spanish-American War, in which the United States conquered the Spanish fleet in Cuba, seized Manila in the Philippines, and occupied Puerto Rico, he also led the country. He was assassinated less than a year into his second term by an anarchist.
16. William McKinley
15. Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
In the C-SPAN historians’ survey between 2000 and 2017, Clinton’s ranking jumped from 21st to 15th. In public persuasion, his highest rating is. Since Franklin D. Roosevelt won a second term, Clinton’s first Baby Boomer president was the first Democrat. The first balanced budget in decades was proposed among other achievements, and a budget surplus was achieved. He faced impeachment over his liaison with a White House intern in his second term but was acquitted by the Senate.
15. Bill Clinton
