JAMES BUCHANAN (D) - 1857-1861
There's no question in my mind that Buchanan, 15th president, is the worst in American history. Undoubtedly he inherited difficult circumstances, but in his one term he saw the union disintegrate and honestly believed the United States had come to an end.
Buchanan came into office with impressive credentials. Ambassador to Russia under Pres. Andrew Jackson, Secretary of State under Pres. James Polk, the former Pennsylvanian congressman was the Democratc party's hope, the resumed man that could clean up Franklin Pierce's mess. The issue of slavery was tearing the country apart, and Buchanan stocked his Cabinet with Southerners and decided the antislavery crowd were the extremists. He stuck his nose into the Dred Scott case, the worst decision in Supreme Court history. He blamed everyone but himself for his feckless leadership.
Picture this. Imagine if Buchanan had won re-election, or had a candidate as bad follow him. The United States of America would have ceased to exist in 1861. He left his country in civil war and was ready to wash his hands of it when it happened.
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