By Economic Measures, Clinton Tops Since 1980

If you look at four key economic measures, President Clinton scores better than the three Republicans occupying the White House since 1980.

One of the most startling data points is gross federal debt as a percent of GDP (unadjusted dollars). In 1993, after Clinton's first year in Office, that number was 64.1%. But by working with a Republican Congress, when he left office in 2000 the number was down to 58.0%.

For the other three Presidents (Reagan, Bush 41, Bush 43), the nation had significantly more debt as a percent of GDP when they left office than when they entered. The most dramatic, of course, was Reagan, increasing almost 20 points from 32.5% to 51.9%. The current occupant of the White House is on track to match or exceed Reagan, however. When he entered office, debt as a percent of GDP was 57.5%. The current White House estimate for 2007 is 70.2%.

See Measures of Economic Health - Comparisons Among Presidents (1980-2007). Thanks to Forum Member BobSci for suggesting the analysis.