The Liberty Champion staff weighs in on their favorite president and why.
ELLA SIZEMORE
My favorite president of the United States is George Washington. He was an intelligent leader, and I believe that our country would be in much better condition if we had continued to follow his advice.
He cautioned against political parties, which he knew could divide the country. He also warned that political divisions based on geographic areas would cause our country to fight against itself.
He firmly believed America should be cautious about foreign involvement but also thought we could have temporary alliances for emergencies without having to fight other countries’ battles that may not align with American interests.
He knew it was important for the country to avoid accumulating national debt and stressed that we, as the people, should make sacrifices to not hinder future generations.
Finally, he was a devout Christian who led this country with faith. If our country’s leaders had continued to place their faith in God, we would be better off. That is why I think George Washington is the greatest president of all time.
JOSHUA GROSS
My favorite president of the United States is Theodore Roosevelt. He embodied boldness and accomplished great things while knowing his limits.
His Big Stick policy used peaceful negotiation backed by power. Roosevelt used his position to secure rights to the Panama Canal, enact the Roosevelt Corollary and dispatched the Great White Fleet.
If you like national parks, you can thank Theodore Roosevelt. He protected nearly 230 million acres of public land from development and established the United States Forest Service, five national parks and 18 national monuments.
Perhaps his most important accomplishments, however, were his progressive reforms and his advocacy for the working American. He also started busting trusts, bringing 44 antitrust suits. He also intervened on behalf of miners during the Anthracite Coal Strike and signed the Pure Food and Drug Act to protect Americans from unsafe food and medicine.
Theodore Roosevelt was for the people, and that is why he is my favorite president.
ASHLYN LEMONS
The quality I admire most in a president is showcasing an unwavering love for America and a willingness to defend the freedoms this great nation was founded upon. Ronald Reagan exemplified these qualities throughout his presidency.
He understood that freedom should never be taken for granted, famously warning: “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction.”
He demonstrated this belief through his actions during the Cold War, particularly when he challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall,” referring to the Berlin Wall.
He confronted his adversaries with conviction and poise, a quality I greatly admire.
I also respect his understanding of the government’s limitations. In his first inaugural address, he stated, “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
As a Christian, these words resonate deeply with me. They remind me that no earthly power is immune to corruption. Our ultimate authority is Christ, who holds dominion over all institutions.
Ronald Reagan’s patriotism, convictions and commitment to the Constitution and individual liberty are all qualities I value in a leader. His presidency serves as a reminder that America’s freedoms are precious, worth fighting for and never guaranteed.
Here are some shorter takes on staff members’ favorite presidents:
“My favorite president is George Washington because he is the OG,” Photo Editor Iwan Steinmann said.
“My favorite president is Ronald Reagan just because he is so iconic,” News Editor Ruthie Gathje said.
“My favorite president is George Washington because I think he is pretty darn cool,” Editor in Chief Avery Warden said.
“My favorite president is William Howard Taft because he is from my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio,” News Editor Skylar Senes said.
“My favorite president was Abraham Lincoln because he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation, and his hat was pretty cool,” Feature Editor Sophia Twitchell said.
“My favorite president is Ronald Reagan because he had fantastic domestic policies as well as his peace through strength policies for international relations,” Sports Editor Leah Potter said.
Sizemore is the POV editor for The Liberty Champion.