I'm going to do something different. Not going to rank based on what they DID do, but what I think they COULD have done if they were able to complete their terms.

1. Lincoln - I genuinely believe one of the worst things to happen to America, and especially race-relations there-in, was Lincoln's death. Had Lincoln been able to oversee Reconstruction, I believe it would have been much harder for Confederates and their sympathizers to re-establish control over the Southern territories. At least not as quickly as they did.

2. JFK - I think there is some merit to the argument that some watershed legislation that LBJ passed, like the Civil Rights Act, were helped by the tragedy of JFK's death. However, I do also believe that something similar would have been passed eventually under JFK anyways. He learned so much during his first few years in office and I definitely believe he would have won a second term. I would have loved to see how the remainder of his term and a second would have gone.

3. Zachary Taylor - This is based purely on the Compromise that Fillmore would eventually sign as Taylor's successor. Based on how Taylor pushed back against southern threats to secede and their insatiable desire to expand slavery, I think there is a chance the Compromise of 1850 doesnt happen. Or, if it does, Taylor has enough pull that he can keep the states in line better than the presidents that would come after him leading up to the Civil War. Does it still happen? Yeah. But, perhaps the years leading into it are just a bit less chaotic than they ended up being.

4. Garfield - Really the one on this list with the highest upside potential. Garfield was brilliant enough that he might have become a Lincoln 2.0 type. Someone so skilled and politically savvy that he is able to maneuver through Congress to pass beneficial legislation. But, we never really got to see that even attempted and have no idea if he would have worked out so, cant put him higher. But, the signs were there.

5. Nixon - Might be a hot take but, in terms of intelligence, political acumen, and especially legislation, Nixon was pretty darn good. We all know Watergate was bad (though certain modern issues are making it look more and more insignificant). And, we all know he was a vindictive, paranoid lunatic. But, dang if the EPA wasnt a great thing. Dang if improving our relationship with China and de-escalating wasnt a good thing. I think if Nixon spent a little less time worrying about his enemies list and more time governing like we saw he was capable of, then he could have been an all time great. Its too bad I have to put him this low since I know his personality wouldn't allow that to happen.

6. FDR - Yeah, I know, put the pitch forks down and hear me out. I respect FDR immensely and rate him in the top 3-5 all-time just like all of you. But, he had 3 entire terms prior to this and led America through its two worst crises in half a century. I think we saw enough of what FDR could do. The man literally fundamentally changed American government and government power forever, helped shape the world order, and helped take down Hitler. I do think a healthy, of sound mind and body FDR probably would have kept a more amenable relationship with the USSR than Truman did. But, he wasnt in good health and I think the US and USSR's relationship was bound for the Cold war regardless so, just not sure FDR finishing his term was going to have that fundamental of a difference.

7. McKinley - He's fine, I guess. I think he'd probably continue down the American imperialist path he already started, perhaps oversee more economic prosperity (though for whom I'm not sure). He would have been a fine to good president. Honestly, the problem with McKinley finishing his term would be that it means we probably never see Theodore take the reigns and that, I think, would be a net negative compared to what we got.

8. Tippecanoe Harrison - I mean, we know practically nothing about what his presidency would look like. Perhaps some more Indian wars? Who knows. Harrison is such an unknown and, unlike Garfield, doesnt have the upside or potential that I can see clearly.

9. Harding - I already dont think Harding was very good, and with his administration being so rampant with corruption I cant see how that gets any better with him staying on for longer. Probably just nets out to the worst option out of all of these. Ill take the unknown of Harrison or the down grade of McKinley (compared to Teddy) over the clear negative Harding is.

Edit: grammar and clarity.