Top Ten Most Liberal Republican Presidents
The GOP for many years has been the party of right wing conservatives. However, over the years, there have been a few Republicans that, if they ran today, would probably be shunned. Here are those Presidents.
Teddy was the first major trust buster in presidential history. He also helped pass some of the nation's first consumer protection laws, which conservatives at the time claimed was government intrusion. When he later ran as a Progressive (Bull Moose), his platform included strict limitations on campaign contributions and the registration of lobbyists. His platform also advocated for national health insurance, social insurance (Social Security), and expanding the minimum wage. He supported establishing an eight-hour workday, an inheritance tax, stronger unions, and more.

Lincoln used Federal power to intervene in the matters of the states, which is usually controversial with conservatives. He also opposed the Mexican-American War, passed the Homestead Act, and passed the Morrill Act.

Ford is mainly known today for just being a placeholder President until Carter arrives. It's kind of sad, because Ford was pretty interesting and important. He helped establish special education throughout the US, he let the Vietnam War end, and he admitted thousands of immigrants fleeing South Vietnam. He expanded anti-trust laws, imposed more restrictions on campaign finance, and supported the Equal Rights Amendment. He also pardoned draft dodgers.
Additionally, later in life, Ford opposed the Iraq War and admitted that he was pro-choice. He wouldn't make it in today's GOP.

Ike expanded Social Security and raised the minimum wage. He oversaw very high marginal tax rates, desegregated public schools, opposed Israel's attack on Egypt, suspended the Korean War, signed two civil rights bills, and, most importantly, warned against the military-industrial complex. I guess most Republicans didn't get his memo.

Bush was much more moderate than his son. He, unlike his son, got UN authorization to go to war with Iraq, and only attacked after using every diplomatic option first. He also signed two civil rights bills, was a major supporter of the UN, passed a few pieces of environmental legislation, raised the minimum wage, raised taxes (gasp!), and addressed that climate change was a major threat to human civilization.

Nixon is mainly known for Watergate, and for good reason. But people seem to forget that he had many accomplishments while President. He helped desegregate public schools, pass consumer protection laws, and pass several pieces of environmental legislation. He created the EPA and OSHA, lowered the voting age, ended the draft, and raised the minimum wage. He also expanded Social Security.
Furthermore, he proposed a healthcare reform plan known as Nixoncare, which is basically the ACA on steroids. On top of it all, he proposed a guaranteed income but was talked out of it by one of his more conservative advisors.

Like Roosevelt, Taft was a strong trust-buster. He wasn't afraid to use federal power if it meant protecting the average American.

Grant, like Lincoln, used his powers to intervene in the affairs of the states during Reconstruction. He also was a supporter of women's suffrage, fought the KKK, passed a civil rights bill, and supported the right to an education.


Harrison passed anti-trust laws, opposed the spoils system, and expanded national parks.
The Newcomers



Arthur passed the Pendleton Act, supported civil rights, and lowered tariffs.
