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There's a lot of hand-wringing done over who constitutes being labelled a 'Great' President and who was simply terrible. But what about a list of Presidents for whom greatness was always out of reach, but who succeeded in presiding over an administration that was competent, successful to a point and ultimately left the country in slightly better shape?

In other words, think of Abner Dowling in TL-191 - he knows he will never be a Great General - he lacks the vision and expertise - so he sets about becoming a thoroughly decent one.

Who were the most decent President the US has ever had? Pre-1900 allowed.

My candidates would be Ford, Van Buren and Grant. Clinton is one who in many ways was thoroughly decent but in others may have achieved greatness, so I'm not sure.

All terms in this thread are highly subjective, so feel free to dispute others' definitions and explore what AHers think Greatness (and Decentness) actually is.
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