Who was the most charismatic Presidential Candidate ever?

[Phony Moderate]

I'll say RFK. After he made that fantastic speech in Indianapolis after the assassination of MLK, the city remained calm that night, whereas there was rioting in most other major US cities.

[Bo]

JFK, with Reagan and Obama close behind in second place.

[Derek]

Reagan easily

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Probably FDR.

[Derek]

who? sry I would've hated the Raw Deal.

[liberalkid]

I'll say RFK. After he made that fantastic speech in Indianapolis after the assassination of MLK, the city remained calm that night, whereas there was rioting in most other major US cities.

i'll be all arrogant and snooty and say William Jennings Bryan. modern times? RFK

[RI]

I'll say RFK. After he made that fantastic speech in Indianapolis after the assassination of MLK, the city remained calm that night, whereas there was rioting in most other major US cities.

i'll be all arrogant and snooty and say William Jennings Bryan. modern times? RFK

Those are two of my very favorite politicians in American history.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Probably FDR.

[Dancing with Myself]

RFK for the Dems, Reagan for the Republicans

[Derek]

Far from the most charismatic, but George W. Bush was very underrated as a speaker and did have an above average amount of charisma, especially compared to his opponents Ozone Al and John French Kerry.

[cpeeks]

Bush was far from charasmatic, an average speaker, but he was very likeable. Probabaly one of the most likeable politicians I have ever seen.

[Derek]

Until after he was reelected yes. I did see charisma though at times when campaigning for the GOP in 2002 and even for himself in 2004. Still, he's far from the most charismatic. As a speaker he had stutters and uh uh the uh stumbles lol poor guy, but compared to the average person I'd say he was average.

[cpeeks]

Clinton had charisma, Bush had the ability to connect with the avg joe even though he was an elitist.

[justW353]

There's a lot.

I'd say either:  RFK, JFK, FDR, or Reagan.  Clinton's also high up there.

I'd have to say Obama was the most eloquent, but his charisma doesn't compare to RFK.

[Derek]

1. Reagan
2. Kennedy
3. Clinton
4. Obama
5. Nixon
6. Bush Jr.
7. Carter
8. Bush Sr.
9. Eisenhower
10. Ford
11. Johnson

This is as far as presidents go anyhow.

[cpeeks]

OMG! You are such a Bush lover, lol. Bush had as much charisma as a reptile one of the most boring people to ever hold office. If it wasnt for Dupont asking Dole to sign the no new taxes pledge he wouldnt have even got the republican nod, and for you to put both Bush's in the top ten, REALLY? REALLY? REALLY? And Eisenhower, and Ford, and Johnson?

[Derek]

I meant the top 10 since 1952!!! LOL who knows how charismatic candidates were before that? Glad to clarify myself here.

[cpeeks]

I wouldnt even say one of the most charismatic candidates, when you look at people like Lamar  Alexander, John Edwards, Gary Hart.

[rbt48]

How does one define Charisma in this contest?  That would seem to be a necessary step in this process.

Certainly William Jennings Bryan had lots of something to be able to win the nomination in 1896 largely on his Cross of Gold speech at the Democratic convention.

Certainly TR showed something in 1912 when he finished delivering a speech after having been shot in the chest by attempted assassin.

[Derek]

I wouldnt even say one of the most charismatic candidates, when you look at people like Lamar  Alexander, John Edwards, Gary Hart.

I didn't mean to ignore you buddy I clicked the wrong button. Glad to be chatting again!

[cpeeks]

Ignore me? What do you mean?

[Bo]

I wouldnt even say one of the most charismatic candidates, when you look at people like Lamar  Alexander, John Edwards, Gary Hart.

Alexander and Edwards were not charismatic by any means. Bush Sr. also was not charismatic. Bush Jr. was, since the definition of charisma is the ability to appeal beyond reason, and Bush Jr. managed to do that with a lot of people.

[justW353]

1. Reagan
2. Kennedy
3. Clinton
4. Obama
5. Nixon
6. Bush Jr.
7. Carter
8. Bush Sr.
9. Eisenhower
10. Ford
11. Johnson

This is as far as presidents go anyhow.

Other than LBJ, I agree with this list.

[Bo]

1. Reagan
2. Kennedy
3. Clinton
4. Obama
5. Nixon
6. Bush Jr.
7. Carter
8. Bush Sr.
9. Eisenhower
10. Ford
11. Johnson

This is as far as presidents go anyhow.

Other than LBJ, I agree with this list.

Let me do my own list:
1. JFK
2. Reagan
3. Obama
4. Clinton
5. Carter
6. Ike
7. Bush Jr.
8. LBJ
9. Nixon
10. Ford
11. Bush Sr.

[justW353]

Here's my list:
1).  Ronald Reagan
2).  John F. Kennedy
3).  Bill Clinton
4).  Barack Obama
5).  Richard Nixon
6).  Lyndon Johnson
7).  George W. Bush
.  Jimmy Carter
9).  Dwight Eisenhower
10).  Gerald Ford
11).  George H.W. Bush