JFK’s successor had some extremely large shoes to fill. Whilst he may not have filled them, he certainly made a controversial mark (or stain; you decide) on U.S Presidential history. His decision to increase the U.S’ military presence in Vietnam was one of America’s less dazzling political moments. He probably should’ve consulted with Woodrow Wilson before that one. C’est la vie.
On a lighter note, a man of reasonable intellect, with an IQ of 140.6, was also human. He had needs, and even an important interview wouldn’t stop him from emptying his bowels. Brazenly unapologetic, LBJ is known for his ‘bathroom interviews’, frequently inviting reporters to join him in the bathroom mid-interview, simultaneously putting his manhood on display. Affectionately calling his privates “Jumbo”, and urinating in the parking lot of the House Office building, we’re not so sure that we are “all the way with LBJ!”
11. Calvin Coolidge (No. 30) - IQ 141.6
Despite his slick surname, C.C. was largely quiet and unremarkable. The 30th President of the United States, Coolidge succeeded Harding in 1924. Whilst his IQ of 141.6 is bang in the middle as far as the average goes for Presidents, he did make an impact on the U.S. He was a champion of the middle class and was the “repairman” after the disastrous Harding, restoring public confidence in the government.
Coolidge delivered as per his surname, coolly sweeping in, tidying the mess, and exiting with considerable popularity. In private, Coolidge was a man of few words, whereby the nickname “Silent Cal” was borne. A story was circulated that a matron who sat beside him at a dinner commented “I made a bet today that I could get more than two words out of you.” His reply? “You lose.” *mic drop*.
12. Harry S. Truman (No. 33) - IQ 139.8
Known for his bellicose, Truman held office for two major world wars; World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. Thrown into the deep-end rather unceremoniously, Truman had mere weeks as Vice President before taking the top job following Roosevelt’s demise. He told reporters that he felt “like the moon, the star and all the planets had fallen on me,” – quite the burden for a man with a “humble” IQ of 139.8.
In his time, he was faced with solving pressing problems concerning the development of the A-bomb and increasing difficulties with the Soviets. He made some of the most crucial decisions in American history, ordering the A-bomb to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The deafening silence in Japanese surrender shocked the world. Chilling that a man who falls in the lower 25 percent of Presidential IQs was behind one of history’s most defining moments.
14. Herbert Hoover (No. 31) - IQ 141.6
Is it a bird? A plane? A vacuum cleaner? Close, but no cigar. Whilst he has no association with the Dyson, Hoover was known for other accomplishments. His Presidency took place during the devastating stock-market crash of 1929, which was difficult to manage even with an IQ of 141.6. Hoover became a hated individual by the end of the era, with millions of Americans losing homes and jobs. Today economists debate how much Hoover could’ve done to alleviate the fiscal pressures, though his changes were hardly ground-breaking.
The U.S desperately needed a leader who would guide them out of the Depression, however they were left with a dud. Despite the time-bomb which was the economy before Hoover’s time, Hoover was responsible for withholding aid to suffering Americans, all in the name of capitalism. With an entire scene in the musical “Annie” in his (dis)honour, the end of his term saw Americans singing “The sun will come out, tomorrow.”
15. Ronald Reagan (No. 40) - IQ 141.9
You either love him, or you hate him, our list comes to Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S President. Serving two terms, Reagan was an actor before he became President. Now that we think of it, perhaps acting and being a politician are extremely similar professions. With an IQ of 141.9, Reagan is about average in the presidential line up. With his famous slogan “peace through strength,” the White House looks on Reagan as fulfilling his pledge of 1980 to restore the “confident roar of American progress and growth.”
However, he was not without his flaws. The Iran Contraband Affair of the 1980s was a smear on his nameplate. The U.S held an arms embargo on Iran, however secretly sold missiles to Iran, in exchange for the freedom of American hostages. Reagan denied any sort of deal, though later admitted in his 1987 address that he indeed sold arms for hostages. While he joked to his wife after an assassination attempt in 1981, “Honey, I forgot to duck,” Reagan didn’t realise that he also forgot the wellbeing of innocent civilians by selling weapons to a terrorist group. Welp.