Poll Asks: Who Was the Best President?

KSN survey seeks public opinion on the 45 U.S. presidents ahead of Presidents Day.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

In a survey ahead of Presidents Day, Kansas news station KSN is asking the public to weigh in on who they believe was the best president among the 45 individuals who have held the nation's highest elected office.

Why it matters

With Presidents Day approaching, the poll provides insight into how the public perceives the performance and legacy of past U.S. presidents, which can shape ongoing political discourse and debates around the role of the presidency.

The details

The online poll, hosted on the KSN website and mobile app, invites readers to vote for who they believe was the best president in the country's history. The survey does not provide any additional context or criteria for respondents to base their choices on, leaving the definition of "best president" open to individual interpretation.

  • The poll was published on February 16, 2026, ahead of Presidents Day on the following Monday.

The players

KSN

A television news station serving the Wichita, Kansas area.

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The takeaway

The poll results will likely reflect the diverse political leanings of the public and underscore the subjective nature of evaluating presidential performance, as individuals may prioritize different leadership qualities and policy achievements when determining the "best" president.