Obama No. 15 in presidential rankings

LOUDONVILLE, Ky., July 1 (UPI) -- Barack Obama debuted at No. 15 on the list of best presidents compiled by leading U.S. presidential scholars in the Siena College Research Institute poll.

Obama came in No. 7 or higher in imagination, communication and intelligence, but his ranking was weighed down by his lack of experience, party leadership and ability to avoid crucial mistakes.

Bill Clinton took the No. 13 spot, while Ronald Reagan came in at No. 18.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt topped the list for the fifth time, followed by Teddy Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to round out the Top 5.

"In nearly 30 years, the same five presidents have occupied the first five places with only slight shuffling. Despite decades of new research on former presidents and the accomplishments or lack thereof of the current chief executives, scholars display amazingly consistent results," said Douglas Lonnstrom, professor of statistics at Siena College.

"Only eight names have appeared in the second five over the years. (Woodrow) Wilson and (Harry) Truman hold onto membership in this club while (John) Kennedy, John Adams and (Andrew) Jackson fell, (Dwight) Eisenhower holds on and (James) Madison and (James) Monroe have seen their stock rise."

George W. Bush was in the Bottom 5 at No. 39.