Inquiry+Activity

Presidential Personalities

A. A man of quite strength, he took few friends into complete confidence. His critics mistook dignified reserve for pomposity. Life was a serious mission, a job to be tackled soberly, unremittingly. He had little time for humor. Although basically good-natured he wrestled with his temper and sometimes lost. He was a poor speaker and could become utterly inarticulate. When he did speak he looked you squarely in the eye. //**George Washington**//

B. A charismatic figure, combative, quick tempered, and think-skinned. To his friends he was generous, considerate, and above all loyal; to his enemies, mean spirited and spiteful. He at times exploded with anger, but it is believed that he never really lost his temper. Rather, he launched into tirades quite purposefully either to intimidate his opposition or to end debate on a matter that was dragging on too long. **//Andrew Jackson//**

C. Open, congenial, and pliant. He mixed readily and won friends easily. However, he suffered from periodic bouts of depression. He also fought a long battle with alcoholism. He had a very hard time saying No and he lacked in self-confidence. **//Franklin Pierce//**

D. A plain spoken man genuinely interested in people and their problems. A good listener, he was at his best when in relaxed conversation with small groups. Wrestled with sever bouts of mental depression. **//Abe Lincoln//**

E. He was simple and direct in manner. He spoke bluntly and to some appeared cold. He was generally reserved and sober but went out of his way to remain on friendly terms with old acquaintances and often loaned money to people down on their luck. Because of his down home roots he always identified himself with the underdog. He was a gifted orator. **//Andrew Johnson//**

F. Particularly squeamish for a man that achieved fame on the battle field. Rare steak made him nauseated and so he insisted that his meat be well done. He was modest, soft spoken, and mild-mannered. One biographer went as far to say that he was a bit effeminate. He disliked dirty jokes and was somewhat prudish. He was a superstitious man, he believed it was bad luck to retrace ones steps. So if he walked past his destination he would not simply turn around and walk down the same street, he would continue to walk further away and return via another road. **//U.S. Grant//**

G. Open, friendly, even tempered, cheerful, optimistic, and universally well liked. Even his political opponents were attracted to the peculiar sweetness of his personality. He worked a subtle charm effective with all effective with people from all walks of life. **//William McKinley//**

H. It was said of this president to be the most visibly energetic, he was delighted to be president and was sorry to see his term end. He was fearless, decisive, ambitious, proud, and irresistibly charming. Whether delivering speeches before large crowds or engaged in a private conversation, he spoke forcefully and crisp, his fist pounding the air to emphasize a point. **//Theodore Roosevelt//**

I. This president was an emotionally complex man. He craved affection and demanded unquestioned loyalty. He compared himself to a dormant volcano, placid on the outside, a boiling cauldron within. Before large groups he was expansive, supremely self-confident, and a gifted orator. In a small group of strangers, he often appeared shy and awkward. **//Woodrow Wilson//**

J. This president was fiercely competitive, always in a rush, a man who relished power, a master manipulator who harnessed his finely tuned political instincts to achieve lofty goals. It was once said of him that he could be “as gentle and sweet as a nurse, but as ruthless and deceptive as a riverboat gambler.” **//Lyndon B. Johnson//**