What makes a great President? Here's a list of what are commonly thought of as the 5 greatest Presidents
Lincoln
Washington
F. Roosevelt
T. Roosevelt
Truman
More after the break
So what makes a great President, here's what we can deduce
Served in times of a great war - Lincoln, F.Roosevelt, Truman (WW2, not Korea)
Poor predecessors/predicament - Washington (U.S. just wrote Constitution), Lincoln (Pierce, Buchanan), FDR (Hoover)
Great communicators - Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, F. Roosevelt
Took on entrenched special interests - T. Roosevelt, Truman
Accomplished great tasks - Washington (started U.S. government), Lincoln (13th amendment, started transcontinental railroad), T. Roosevelt (Panama Canal), Truman (desegregated military, GI Bill, Marshall Plan)
President-Elect Obama starts with the "advantage" of two categories; he is a great communicator and his predecessor is considered one of the worst U.S. Presidents. That is a formidable head start, but what will he do?
Obama will not likely be a wartime President so that leaves two categories where he will need to make his mark to be a great President; take on special interests, accomplish great tasks.
Will Obama step out and do the things that will have him remembered as a Great President ... time will tell.
But America has had its back to the wall frequently in its past, but we have been saved in the past by a Great President. America is one great President away from being a great nation again.