Dez Prez Rankings: #'s 34-33, The Art of Doing Nothing

#34 out of 39:
Benjamin Harrison (23rd president)
Term: 1889-93
Party: Republican


ABOVE: He's as dull as he looks, earning the nickname "The Human Iceberg." Ben Harrison would typically call it a day around noon and spend the rest of his substantial free time relaxing and hanging out with his family. Who knew being the leader of the free world took about as much effort as delivering pizzas?

Benjamin Harrison didn’t really do anything. At all. He accomplished about as much as his grandfather did when he was in office. But William Henry Harrison only served for one month. Ben was a weak man who didn’t want to make any waves, so he went along with his party leadership’s wishes. Unfortunately, this was a time where Executive leadership might have been nice, as it was a period of much graft and corruption. He signed a terrible protectionist tariff, as well as the stupid Sherman Silver Purchase Act. He did sign the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, but did not direct his justice department to do anything to actually enforce it. According to Teddy Roosevelt, Ben Harrison was “a cold-blooded, narrow-minded, prejudiced, obstinate, timid, old psalm-singing Indianapolis politician.” Ouch. “Indianapolis politician.” That’s harsh.

Pros:
• Signed the Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Cons:
• He did absolutely nothing and followed his party leaders
• Signed stupid legislation unquestioningly, like the McKinley Tariff of 1890 and the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890

#33 of 39:
Zachary Taylor (12th president)
Term: 1849-50
Party: Whig


ABOVE: Nothing much distinguishes Zach Taylor. Perhaps he can lay claim to the title "Most Disheveled President"

Perhaps it is not fair to judge Old Rough and Ready too harshly, since he died two years into his term. Taylor had no discernable credentials to be president or political skills. He was elected because he was a famous Mexican War hero and he completely avoided taking a stand on the slavery issue, thereby making enemies of nobody. He pledged to veto any legislation dealing with slavery in the territories, whether pro or anti. True to his word, he tried to block the Compromise of 1850. But fortunately for Henry Clay and the proponents of the crucial and complicated Compromise, Taylor became ill after drinking some bad milk at the 1850 Fourth of July celebration and soon died from cholera. The Civil War was postponed for another ten years or so due to the Compromise.

Pros:
• He died conveniently so the Compromise of 1850 could occur
Cons:
• Tried to block the Compromise of 1850
• Inaction related to the growing sectional crisis