I continue to build my ultimate ranking of U.S. presidents, and after a day of reading, James K. Polk is moving rapidly up the list.
Polk entered the presidency with a remarkably clear ideas of what he wanted to accomplish. He announced early that he would serve only one term, then did exactly that. During those four years, he pursued his agenda with determination, expanded the United States dramatically, and delivered on many of the objectives he had set himself.
What strikes me most is the focus. One term, a defined programme, then action and results. A rather different approach from the political careerism we often see today.
Polk was also a relatively low-profile president. It was during his presidency that “Hail to the Chief” became closely associated with the president’s entrance, reportedly because his wife Sarah wanted people to notice when he entered the room.
Only a few months after leaving office, exhausted after years of hard work, James K. Polk died at the age of 53.
