The Leaders of Men

In honour of Barack Obama's historic victory, and spurred on by a question Dana asked me, I decided to compile lists of my most admired Presidents and Prime Ministers. Some of these men I admire because of their policies, others because of their character. I believe that each of them has contributed something vital to their country and to the world.

U.S. Presidents

1. Abraham Lincoln- One of history's truly great men

2. Franklin D. Roosevelt- Steadied the United States through both their darkest hours, and their finest ones

3. George Washington- Held together a young, fragile nation

4. Woodrow Wilson- Perhaps more than anyone else on this list, he inspires me

5. Theodore Roosevelt- His energy and passion served his country well

6. Harry S. Truman- "The buck stops here..."

7. Dwight D. Eisenhower- A commander, through and through

8. Grover Cleveland- Perhaps the most honourable man ever to be president

9. Ronald Reagan- Brought pragmatism and new ideas to Washington

10. John F. Kennedy- "The eyes of the world now look into space..."

Canadian Prime Ministers

1. Sir Wilfred Laurier- A "pillar of fire...a true Canadianism"

2. Lester B. Pearson- The last great Liberal PM

3. Louis St. Laurent- Perhaps the most competent PM ever

4. Sir. John A. MacDonald- Flawed, but brought Canada together

5. Stephen Harper- "The west is in!"

6. John G. Diefenbaker- Made some mistakes, but he'll always be our "Chief"

7. W.L. Mackenzie King- A weirdo, but an effective one

8. Jean Chretien- 50.58%, plus he did a great job with the finances

9. Sir Robert Borden- Under him, Canada was forged in the fires of war

10. Brian Mulroney- History will be kinder to him in the future than it is today

Honourable Mentions to Al Gore and Preston Manning, two men who never got to lead their country, but who I think would have made tremendous leaders. I hope if I rewrite this list eight years from now, I will get to put Obama on it. Good luck to him.