A new Pew Research Center Poll [1] asked Americans which president has done the best job in their lifetimes. More respondents ranked former President Barack Obama [2] higher than all others than any other president.
According to the poll, 44 percent of Americans ranked Obama either as the best or second best president in their lifetimes. Of the total polled, 31 percent ranked Obama as the best president in their lifetimes. After President Obama, President Bill Clinton and President Ronald Reagan were ranked either best or second. President Trump came in fourth, with 19 percent of respondents ranking him either best or second best.
The rankings were impacted largely by the age of the respondents. This makes sense as many younger Americans were not alive during President Ronald Reagan’s administration. Some may have been children while Clinton was in office.
When looking at respondents who are millennials, over 60 percent ranked President Obama as either best or second best in their lifetime, 46 percent of millennials who were polled said that President Obama was the best president in their lifetime.
In contrast, Americans who are older, baby boomers and the “silent generation,” widely named President Ronald Reagan as the best president during their lifetime. Of 54-72 year-olds polled, 42 percent ranked Reagan as either best or second best. Of 73-90 year old’s polled, 38 percent ranked Reagan as either best or second best.
As might be expected, the party of the person polled also impacted the response. Of those who identified as Democrats or Democratic-leaning Independents, 71 percent ranked President Obama as best or second best. After Obama, President Clinton comes in second among Democrats, with 49 percent of Democrats ranking Clinton either best or second best.
When isolating Republican respondents, President Reagan is ranked best or second best by 57 percent while President Trump is ranked best or second best by 40 percent.
The survey took place from June 5-12 and surveyed 2,002 adults.