Ranking the Presidents

I was watching nerd tv on Sunday afternoon and absolutely enthralled by Richard Norton Smith when I realized he was discussing CSpan's ranking of the presidents (in which I participated). It's a fascinating project and I have to admit, I was so honored to get a letter from Brian Lamb that I framed it, dorky as that sounds. That man has done more for America and the furthering of democracy than any other person, in public or private office. Surely someone will realize, if they haven't already, that Lamb deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Ken and Terry Hobbs and I are off to the Dole Center to hear Michael Burlingame tonight. Michael is a dear friend and such a generous scholar.

Oh, just in case you were wondering . . . . I ranked Washington the highest among the presidents, not Lincoln, and I didn't put Andrew Johnson on the bottom as did most of my colleagues.