They might not have been the best president, but in terms of personality who was the kindest?

46 comments

  5. Carter. Coolidge wasn’t great either, but was known for being unpleasant, but sort of in a fun way. Urban legend was that he was only ever seen actually smiling (had a penchant for a large over exaggerated smile) once, when the first transatlantic flight was completed in 1927. An old story about him at a party, a woman and her friend walked up to his table at a party and said “Mr. President, I bet we can make you say three words tonight.” He looked up and replied “You lose.” And didn’t say another word all night. Almost certainly more urban legend than fact, but funny none the less

  6. Jimmy Carter was a good man. Poor president, but you knew he really wanted what was best. Probably too kind to do the job well.

    Ronald Reagan was also evidently very friendly. Staff, press and even members of the opposite party described him as genial and charming.

  7. I don’t know about how kind he is in his personal life, but I can’t really picture Obama being anything less than professional and cordial to people. It would blow my mind if there was any kind of proof that he made a rude or distasteful comment to someone.

  8. Washington is probably up there. Always about doing what was right, moral, kind, and polite.

    Lincoln was probably up there but I bet his depression got in the way a little bit.

    Carter for sure, and I doubt anyone will ever have a tell all book about Obama being a dick. He seemed to be pretty kind to everyone and really has a gift a being great socially.

  10. Jimmy Carter is an easy choice

    John Quincy Adams was a dickhead (explained by him being the smartest President ever) but he always stepped up when it came to protecting the disenfranchised (Amistad case). His last public act was voting no against the illegal and immoral Mexican-American War and suddenly suffering another stroke because he was that pissed.

  12. I couldn’t be further from George W’s politics (voted bernie in 2020 primary) but dude seems chill as hell in a social context

  15. Barack Obama is one of the rare politicians who would take pictures with the janitorial staff of wherever he was, so that’s an easy one.

    Jimmy Carter has a reputation of being an asshole even if he seems kind from afar.

  16. If you want the truth, read a few of the biographies by former White House staff who served multiple presidents. One of them specifically mentioned the Bush Jr. family (Dubya) and the Obamas as being really decent to other people. Polar opposites politically, but good to those “beneath” them, the parents each with two daughters and equally committed to raising them right.

  18. In living memory of most US adults: Carter is and was considered very kind and thoughtful. Reagan also left a positive impression on most people he met, to the point where even political opponents liked him personally. However, he was at least perceived to have an apathy towards certain groups (poor blacks, gays etc.) which depending on your definition of “kindness” this could impact.

    George W Bush is also reportedly quite friendly and amiable. As someone who lived through his presidency, even people that disliked him tended to because of the Iraq war rather than due to his personality. I can’t really speak to long dead presidents as well.

  19. Jimmy Carter; and that’s why he didn’t get a second term… Americans are suspicious of good people and gravitate towards what they perceive as “strong”. Which, of course, is naive and stupid… we are such neophytes. 😕

  23. Did not know any of them on that level, so hard to judge. I’m sure many are different as a friend then the leader of the free world. Who would I want to have a beer with if I could pick 3.. George W Bush, Barrack Obama and James Madison (because I’m taller than him and that would be funny).

  25. Jimmy Carter is the only choice here. He’s in his 90s and still building houses for people

  26. He was before me but Jimmy Carter looked like a nice guy. And Barrack was good too. And probably Lincoln.

  27. I’ve heard that contrary to her public image, Hillary is a genuinely nice person and very respectful to those who worked for her.

    Alas, we’ll never know if she would have been a nice president.

  29. Obama always seemed like a very kind man to me. He came across as down to earth with a great sense of humor and seemed to love making kids happy

  30. I would say Obama. Obama is a very great person, married to his first wife for over 30 years and has 2 children from his same wife, and He’s a very wholesome, lovely and kind president. Depsite what one thinks of how he did as president, he’s never had any serious scandals or contreversies all throughout his life.

    Jimmy Carter is also a very kind and great person too. He has done great work with philanthropy by working with habitat for humanity, and creating the Carter center, which helps out many countries and gives aid and help to disavantaged places. Jimmy Carter’s post presidency has been very successful actually.

  32. I know a non partisan low level staffer that worked for many presidents. He said the kindest, most pleasant presidents were both Bushs. He said they were nice when no cameras were around and always initiated friendly small talk.

  33. Gerald Ford was apparently really liked by his secret service members. They all felt he was very grateful and respected them highly.

    Reagan was also highly regarded by the White House staff. He was kind and respectful of the maids and butlers, the crew on Air Force One, and secret service members.

  34. [William “Plus Size King](https://imgur.com/a/TjBUyoR)[” Taft](https://imgur.com/a/TjBUyoR)

    some other anecdotes

    >[on the campaign trail in 1912, when he was running against his former Boss, Theodore Roosevelt]The day ended, at last. The President had spoken to thousands. Hundreds of thousands had thronged to see him. He had cause for exhiliration, perhaps, in the cheers that had greeted him. But Taft was exhausted. He had strained his voice until it had become almost a whisper. Weariness and depression were the only sensations he felt as he was driven toward the waiting train. It was remarked, as he boarded his car, that he seemed very much shaken. Seibold of the World had been travelling with the official party and on boarding the special he went back to the President’s car to ask some question. [sic] Taft was seated in one of the lounges, slumped over, with his head between his hands. As the journalist entered, he looked up.
    >
    >

    “Roosevelt was my closest friend,” he said brokenly. Then he could restrain himself no longer, and began to weep.

    .

    >”Justice Brewer of the Supreme Court said that ‘Taft is the politest man in Washington; the other day he gave up his seat in a street-car to three ladies.’

    .

    >One day I was in the President’s private room … when [good-natured Senator] Chauncey Depew came in. … After we had talked serious matters for a few minutes and were about to depart, Mr. Depew stepped up to Taft and, taking liberties that I never would have thought of taking with a president, said to him, putting his hand on Mr. Taft’s big frontal development [his glorious gut]: ‘What are you going to call it when it comes, Mr. President?’ It was just about that time when Mr. Taft was beginning to have some difficulty with [Theodore] Roosevelt, and he quickly responded: ‘Well, if it’s a boy, I’ll call it William; if it’s a girl, I’ll call it Theodora; but if it turns out to be just wind, I’ll call it Chauncey.'”

    .

    >Taft and his wife visited Japan in 1900. “On account of his unusual proportions [Taft was] an object of tremendous interest to the Japanese.” 11a For example, at dinner with high-ranking Japanese officials “the mammoth American attempted in vain ‘to achieve the squatting position.’ … Finally a Japanese politely rushed out of the room and returned with a padded stool for Taft. For the rest of the evening he ‘looked majestically’ on the rest of the party. During his visit, Taft discovered that the Japanese enjoyed looking at him as much as he did at them.”

    I might post more

  35. I’m related to Truman, from what I’ve heard from family lore he was a very sweet man…aside from the whole nuking Japan thing

  37. I’m pretty sure the only thing keeping Jimmy Carter alive at this point is the fact he has yet to personally eradicate the guinea worm and homelessness.

  38. Jimmy Carter and George Bush Jr are renowned as very pleasant people. Regan was also an extremely good communicator and approachable. People have also spoken highly of JFK as extremely likeable.

  39. Despite his politics being questionable, Bush Jr seems to be well regarded by all who have known him.

  40. Honestly it’s probably time for me to change my flair to “James A. Garfield stan” but Garfield was tremendously well-liked and considered quite kind.

  41. In my opinion, Jimmy Carter and Grant.

    The Carter Center, launched after his presidency does tons of humanitarian work, and pretty much cured Guinea worm disease out of existence, as well as did other things. If any man deserves to live to 100, he is a top contender.

    Grant as well goes up there. He had a lot of personal issues, but as both general and president, he did the best he could to both help and inspire the people who he was put in place to serve.

  42. There is a really interesting book I read about 10 years ago called “In The President’s Secret Service” and it was a tell all by secret service agents.

    Of modern Presidents….

    Jimmy Carter was super humble and kind but not well liked because he was thought of as weak by other politicians.

    Ronald Reagan was known to have a great sense of humor and be an all around good dude. He apparently used to secretly pass $100 bills out to needy folks that he’d come across but made his service detail keep it quiet. He said that he used to be poor and he wasn’t anymore so he’d help as much as he could.

    George HW Bush and his wife were apparently salt of the earth. There are some stories in there about Barbara Bush was fiercely loyal to people and expected loyalty in return and if she was deceived she would cut people out of the inner circle. George would tell her that’s just the nature of politics but she wouldn’t stand for anyone crossing her family. Barbara would offer to do their laundry and George would get up in middle of the night and have midnight snacks with his detail.

    Bill Clinton was an incredibly kind and generous person to everyone he worked with. There are some interesting stories about how well he could remember people. One example: Bill Clinton met a busboy in a restaurant in 1992 campaign. 4 years later he saw the busboy again and remembered his name, his fathers name and health conditions and other minute details. Also tells stories about the dynamic between Bill and Hillary after Monica came out in public.

    Secret Service staff hated Hillary and Al Gore. Hillary was rude and Al Gore treated his staff as if they were second class people, even insulting them and their intelligence in front of his kids. He also never carried money and always asked his agents for money and never repaid them.

    George W Bush was known as a prankster and fun guy to be around, his daughters were apparently pretty rebellious and would constantly try to “lose” their secret service details in traffic.

    Obama was friendly and really liked, as was the rest of his family.

    The book came out before Trump was ever a candidate.

    It also talked about Kennedy’s affairs and Nixon’s resignation.

    Fascinating book, I recommend it.

  45. The ones I’ve only heard good about were Carter, Reagan, Bush Jr, and the Obamas

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