There is always subjectivity in saying who America's best president has been. For most Americans, Washington and Lincoln are at or near the top of the list, with Madison and a few others being highly regarded as well.
But it was astounding to hear President Barack Obama declare himself at least the fourth-best president in U.S. history. We doubt even most liberals would say he is one of the four best presidents our nation has ever elected.
And yet, during a recent "60 Minutes" interview, he said, "I would put our legislative and foreign policy accomplishments in our first two years against any president -- with the possible exceptions of Johnson, F.D.R. and Lincoln -- just in terms of what we've gotten done in modern history." (Obama did not specify whether he meant impeached President Andrew Johnson or President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was so unpopular by 1968 that he withdrew from his re-election campaign.)
He did acknowledge that "when it comes to the economy," his administration has "a lot more work to do."
But it is incredible nonetheless that he considers himself, generally speaking, to be among the four best presidents in American history.
Do you agree with his assessment?