HERNDON, VA –Americans rate Ronald Reagan as the greatest President, but try telling that to professors on our nation’s campuses. In a recent survey, 60 percent of college professors did not even rank President Reagan among the top ten Presidents. Begrudgingly, these educators admitted that Reagan’s Presidency was successful, but they rate him far lower than most Americans.
In honor of President Ronald Reagan’s 101st birthday (February 6), Young America’s Foundation (which owns and preserves the Reagan Ranch) commissioned a poll through the polling company, inc. (tpc) to survey college professors’ opinions toward the late President.
Last year, Gallup released a national poll indicating that the American public believed that President Reagan was the greatest President in American history. More than 19 percent of the public rated him as their top choice, beating second place President Lincoln by five percent.
In the YAF poll, not one of the 284 professors surveyed listed him as their top choice—60 percent didn’t even list President Reagan in their top ten.
They did, however, rate him as marginally more successful than President Obama. 61 percent of college professors rated President Reagan’s Presidency as “mostly a success,” while 59 percent gave Obama the same mark.
When asked to grade the last five Presidents, President Reagan received a C+ on average. President George W. Bush received a D, underscoring just how much the Left still despises our 43rd President.
As a whole, 57 percent of professors identified themselves as “liberal” and 16 percent as “conservative.”
In reaction to the poll, Reagan Ranch Board of Governors Chairman Frank Donatelli said, “The leftist tilt of college professors is well known. However, the fact that President Reagan is now viewed as ‘successful’ by 61% of this group is testament to the lasting accomplishments of our 40th President. The exceptional work of Young America's Foundation in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth has been important in educating all Americans about President Reagan's accomplishments.”
For full poll results or to request an interview, please call Ron Meyer at (800) USA-1776.
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