A brilliant democrat!  Had so much take place during his many terms, and got the job done.

Roosevelt was an elitist who had unprecedented control over the media whose lies are only recently being uncovered There is convincing evidence that he knew about Pearl Harbor beforehand. Even if he didn't, he lied through his teeth about staying out of the war he had his fingerprints all over. He was definitely against Hitler-style Fascism, though his early economic policies to end the depression (which actually made it last much longer) were straight from Benito Mussolini. Then, allowing Stalin unprecedented access to American money and technology, he made them a world power that they would have taken another hundred years for them attain alone (remember that even though it would have helped the US against Japan considerably for them to open at, at least a diversionary front against the Japanese, the Russians never fought a battle off their own soil until the last weeks of the war when they rushed to Berlin to take territory they had no intention of giving back, treaty or no. Then, because of FDR's epic ego, he ran for a fourth term, knowing he would never finish it and made Stalin incredulous with glee at Teheran and Yalta where he essentially set up the Cold War by giving Stalin every single thing the man wanted. Check out "Operation Keelhaul" online where he returned hundreds of thousands of Russian POW's straight to Russia where all but a very select few were killed immediately. Surrendering, in Stalin's book was the same as fighting for the enemy. It has only been in the last ten to fifteen years that we've known even part of the damage that his hands-off policy to known communists(after all, his top aide was one) in his own government lead to virtually all secret information flowing straight from the White House to the Kremlin, it wasn't hard to get the bomb when you knew everything about where it was and who was involved. Maybe the worst president ever, certainly the most over-rated by a million miles.

A quote from another rater: "His oil embargo on Japan resulted in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Had we had a decent man (or woman) in the White House, the US could have avoided World War II." Am I reading this drivel right? You must have failed every history class you ever took. Hitler had plans to take us and Japan always stated in their strategy sessions that the major obstacle to their domination of the Pacific was the US Navy and it must be destroyed. FDR did what he had to do and there was simply NO AVOIDING the second world war.

His oil embargo on Japan resulted in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Had we had a decent man (or woman) in the White House, the US could have avoided World War II.

Helped end both the depression and win WW II. Started social security.

I was born during the presidency of FDR. My parents and four grandparents were FDR worshipers, as were all my aunts and uncles. In my part of the world, nobody would talk ill of the great man and live! I am now in my sixties with a post graduate degree and thousands of hours of study under my belt. I was born and raised a Democrat. I remember going over to one of my grandparent's house after Eisenhower won to commiserate with them. They thought the end of the world had arrived! Looking back on it, that was incredible. I must conclude that FDR was a bane of problems for the USA. I know that there are millions of people out there who think that he was the be-all and end--all. I say to them. READ! LEARN! The truth shall set you free!

Boy, FDR takes a beating from today's revisionist republicans. . .No, the man wasn't perfect. . .yes, he had flaws. . .but he did provide stable leadership through the war and the depression- truly a hurculean task for anyone.

Revisionist history has made it fashionable to crap on this guy. Did he have flaws? Sure and by the bucketful. Was he an arrogant, self-serving, monied American aristocrat? No argument. But when it counted, when it really mattered, he took his country into a terrible and necessary war and was the turning point in a victory that has shaped the world we live in. He, with Churchill and a couple of others on the world stage, may well have saved Europe at least, and perhaps more, from the most repulsive tyranny in centuries. Sorry folks, even with his myriad flaws and all, that's worth five stars to me.

Without question, Franklin Roosevelt was one of the most important leaders of the 20th Century. He essentially modernized our government and the regulatory network that undergirds it through the New Deal and associated legislation. The Securities and Exchange Commission and Social Security were among two of the longest lasting remnants of that period. He significantly strengthened the Executive branch, it helped that Roosevelt had solid majorities behind him during his Presidency. He was a strong President, but the times required it. The New Deal certainly didn't end the Depression, but it helped prevent the economy from going down even more by increasing the regulatory functions of the federal government, especially in difficult areas of the economy such as the banking system and the stock market. Roosevelt changed the American governments relationship with the people as a whole. Overall, it sought to protect the people against the powers of large corporations, sometimes by means of executive power, which is what made the whole scheme very controversial at the time. Some of the things he did were also heavy-handed, his court packing scheme and the detention of Japanese-Americans during WW2 were deplorable actions. But for all of his faults, Roosevelt managed to hold this country together through some of the most perilous times. His high confidence gave the country somebody to look towards, especially during the Second World War.

Franklin Roosevelt was the kind of leader America needed during the Great Depression. Thanks much to his New Deal, we got out of the terrible times of the '30s.

REVISED: Franklin Roosevelt is clearly an overrated president, but he also doesn't get credit for some things that often go unnoticed in today's revisionist history. First, FDR often gets credited for ending the depression when World War II actually accomplished this. Even one of RIA's most qualified presidential critics (at least from my readings of his comments) holds the opinion that FDR did not solve the depression or exacerbate it; however, this was Roosevelt's presidential challenge (as he should have never been in office during WWII). Perhaps, FDR couldn't do anything to end the depression or accelerate its end, but one doesn't get credit either way under those circumstances. FDR also ran for unprecedented third and fourth terms for no compelling reason (ie no one man is irreplaceable). This action would have set a dangerous precedent that would have worked against the timely and peaceful transfer of power that American democracy depends had not the Constitution been amended to remedy this danger. Furthermore, as others have noted, FDR's attempt to pack the Supreme Court (by increasing the number of justices from 9 to 13 if memory serves) evidences his tendency to be Machiavellian to a tragic fault. The most costly failure was that FDR failed to keep Truman involved in the war and post-war decision making process resulting in costly mistakes and a longer and exacerbated Cold War. On the plus side, Roosevelt was finally successful in dragging the United States into WWII, even if it meant intentionally dangling a vulnerable Pearl Harbor in front of the Japanese, and he wisely listened to his military advisors (most notably Gen. Marshall) in concentrating on the European theater first (though Adm. King strongly advocated a Japan first strategy); however, as it took a Japanese attack to push the U.S. over the edge (something that a wiser Japan would not have done and need not have done to achieve its shorter term necessities), Roosevelt failed in this regard as well from an efficient planning perspective. As for the monumental growth of the social structure during the Franklin Roosevelt Administration, the book is still out on that for me. While the end result has been undeniably disastrous so some degree, some good has been gained, and I am not convinced that the subsequent perversions and abuses can be attributed to FDR in good faith.

The most influential world leader of the first half of the 20th century. Led this country through the Great Depression and led the Allied nations to victory in WW II.

This is the most over-rated president in history. The depression was fixed by WWII not by him. He started programs that are still hurting america today and SS is number 1.

FDR is one of the last people anyone should call on to fix a Depression. His first 100 days he caused more damage to America than anyother president. New Deal sure "Socialism" . Great plan you jackass. FDR assumed powers that our Constitution never gave to the president and left a mark which we carry today.

Perhaps the greatest American President. This man led the country through it's greatest financial catastrophe (caused in large part because GOP administrations were asleep at the switch, as usual, in the 1920s) and most perilous war, established the social safety net that has benefitted countless millions of our countrymen, steered the course while the U.S. emerged as the major world power. When you think of the all the truly useful governmental programs and initiatives that started under FDR or were instigated/prefigured by the New Deal, it's no wonder why America became the essentially decent and promising place it is: Social Security, the SEC, the G.I. Bill, Veterans' mortgages, TVA, the countless public works that improved the lives of millions of Americans, etc. Just think where this country would be if these programs never existed. Just think of how many people were helped as a result of FDR's visionary thinking. Of course, there were misses along with the hits, and some of the New Deal legacy became corrupted and misdirected over the years, but the fact remains: no 20th century President's decisions and actions had greater impact and more lasting influence than FDR, the exception being, perhaps, the other Roosevelt. Rightwingers like to decry this guy, but many of those same rightwingers probably benefitted in one way or another from social programs that either began in the New Deal or had the New Deal as a precursor. Ingrates with short and selective memories...

Disrespected the constitution too many times. Very immoral. Had sex with his own family members. Not just his cousin. He makes Clinton look like a saint!

Yee-haw! A true kissin' cousin! Wanna be like Franklin? Do the following: 1. Marry your cousin. She won't have to change her last name and it saves a lot of time on actually looking for a girl who's turned on by a wrinkly forehead who tells "fireside" happy stories. 2. Make sure your cousin doesn't let her lesbian tendencies get out of hand! 3. Breed little retards. 4. Watch them screw eachother and breed more retards! 5. Give your kids "proper" names that explain their "unique" and "special" selves. Names like Mongo, Rhea-Tard, Downie, Corky, and Chromosomey! 6. Encourage segratation while pretending to be anti-racist.

Little communist f*cker. He apparently loved doing Stalin and his old farty cousin!

Socialist communist who fought the wrong group. We all know that the Soviet Union was far more dangerous than Nazi Germany. Roosevelt should have allied with Hitler and fought the Soviets... too bad FDR was a communist. FDR thought he was the king of the US. He developed "social security", a communist idea. Plans to get us out of the depression failed.

Please, everyone read BIGBABY's comment on this idiot.

Okay, All of you idiots giving him five stars,' First of all, He was a communist idiot who married his own cousin. Yes, His own cousin! She didn't even have to change her last name! Last time I checked, Incest was morally wrong and illegal. Another thing, He didn't do crap for anyone besides his own crowd. He stuck our own citizens into concentration camps. Ever hear of Manazar? Well, Look it up! I can't believe some of you calling him a hero. He was a old, senile, family-humping, redneck, ignorant, bigoted, pretentious foolish communist. And a little note for those people who disagree: Before you click the "NO" button where it means my comment wasn't helpful or right, Look up racial tensions during World War II! Oh, and look up the definition of Incest. Then, look up communism. If you still love your precious Franklin F*cker Roosevelt, Then you, my dear friend, are an idiot!

yeah put thousands of japanese americans into camps. what a great idea.

Ewwww! This guy married his cousin! Incest! Incest! Incest!

Let's see what he did.....Pulled the country out of a depression (good), promoted Joseph Stalin (not good), revoked the lives of Japanese American, German American, and Italian American people. (VERY BAD!) I have no use for racist bastards like FDR.

Communist.

great leader in one of the olds darkest hours.

It so boggles me that ultra right wing conservatives cannot see beyond the beliefs of their political parties to appreciate the contributions of this man. Even if you do not agree with his so-called "socialist" economic policies, you can at least appreciate his exemplary leadership during World War II. The free world may not have survived if it had not been for him. I can't imagine anyone else leading us through thouse terrible times. His fireside chats helped improve the mood of the country, and he provided "light when there was no sun"...

Create Social Security...the mother of all welfare programs.

Lying cripple tyrant.

Bush could only dream of being such a leader.

Worst President ever. Even worse than Clinton and Kennedy.

The greatest U.S. president ever. He was president at by far the most pivotal time in our nation's history and his New Deal helped tremendously in finding work for unemployed people between about 18 and 29. He was an excellent war leader and the key instrument along with Churchill in the defeat of the Nazis. The governement programs he set up are still helping our society today. Also, with Elanor's help, he got a great majority of the African American vote. For all these reasons, FDR is undoubtedly the greatest president.

Great leader. He was there for use durnung the Depression and WWII

Why I am going to give one star to President Roosevelt. He issued the Executive Order 9066. This law revoked the rights of Japanese Americans as U.S. citizens and eventually led to about 120,000 Japanese Americans being rounded up and thrown into prison camps in 9 states. BTW, many Japanese American sacrificed their lives in WW 11 for a country that despised them. The Japanese Americans received some compensation and an apology in 1987. Yeah FDR deserve credit for pulling the country out of a depression. But I don't like Presidents who disregard the constitution .

War monger and socialist.

If for no other reason than social security, he deserves the 5 stars.There are many elderly and infirm who would be tremendous financial burdens to their families if not for SS benefits.Not to mention widows trying to raise kids after the deaths of their spouses. Sure it reeks of socialism. But look at the alternatives.

Once again, "Grossmith" comes up with a comment that says it perfectly. FDR was a socialist tyrant who sold the proverbial farm to the Soviets. Guess who really won WWII? I'll give you a hint: the first four letters are "U S S R".

I think that FDR was the best thing that happened to america

It's hard to know where to begin discussing such a titanic figure of the 20th century, especially one as quirky as FDR. The man was extraordinarily gifted, deceivingly intelligent, and a little bizarre. Not to mention his unique relationship with Eleanor, who was a piece of work herself. First of all, I don't claim to understand economics well enough to take a position on the argument over the New Deal. Was it enough to end the Depression, with or without World War 2? I don't know. But I do know that in the early 30s FDR stepped into a leadership vacuum and gave the country a vision they could embrace. I feel more comfortable passing judgment on FDR's war-time leadership. One of his main gifts was an uncanny ability to sense the mood of the country. He wanted to help England before December 1941, but he knew the country wasn't ready. So he pursued a course designed to gradually increase our involvement until an event of sufficient significance would push the country over the edge. Pearl Harbor was more than enough. And even before the U.S. entered the war, FDR layed the foundation for the arsenal of democracy. I admire FDR's military leadership, but more than that I admire his ability to mold the unions, the economy, and the business leaders into the unfathomably complex machine required to produce war materials for all the Allied countries. And, like Churchill, FDR knew how to use the radio. His fireside chats seem to have been exactly what the country needed. I've read that before one fireside chat, he asked people to buy world maps so he could show them the places he was going to talk about. (Stores all over the country sold out of maps right away.) What a great touch. I can picture all those American families gathered around the radio, maps in front of them, listening to FDR's confident voice explain why we were in the war and what we planned to do to win it. At the same time, I'll never understand why FDR, who knew in 1944 that his health was failing fast, didn't do a better job of preparing Truman. Truman was a new VP and almost completely out of the loop when it came to managing the war. So when FDR died, Truman had to start from scratch, at a critical juncture in negotiations with Stalin. Still, FDR's achievements far outweigh his mistakes. As a side note, can you imagine sitting around a table with Stalin, Churchill, and FDR, discussing the shape of the post-World War 2 world? Unbelievable. What an amazing time in history.

Kept the country mired in depression through over-regulation; stumbled into WWII to keep Europe from falling into Hitler's hands and wound up giving half the world to an equally horrid monster in Stalin; assaulted the Constitution by trying to pack the Supreme Court; gave us the fiscal time bomb of Social Security -- no wonder he's Bill Clinton's hero...

Her did many good things for this country, but also he should stepped down when he became so sick. He gave too much to Stalin, which caused the cold war. The world paid dearly for that mistake.

Led us out of war but built the bureaucracy which has choked our nation's economy.