36th President · 1963–1969 · Democratic
Lyndon B. Johnson
Passed the Civil Rights Act and Medicare, then destroyed his presidency in Vietnam, the defining war of choice of the century.
OverallC+GPA 2.38
The grades
- SovereigntyDid they put American interests first and keep decisions in American hands?B
- HemisphereDid they guard the Americas against rival powers and threats?B-
- RestraintDid they keep the country out of wars of choice that weakened it?F
- StatecraftDid they use diplomacy, force and alliances skillfully, on American terms?C-
- Industry and tradeDid they protect and build American industry?C+
- Working AmericansDid ordinary working families do better because of them?A-
- BuildingDid they build things that lasted and push the frontier forward?B+
- NationDid they strengthen a shared American identity and the Union?B-
- CompetenceWere they capable, honest and effective in office?C
On the axes
MarketEconomyPopulist
Free tradeTradeProtectionist
RestraintForeign policyInterventionist
CosmopolitanNationNational
Dark dot: Lyndon B. Johnson. Red mark: the Monroe Society. Ideological closeness to the Society: 55%.