Pierce was also considered to be the best looking President--his personal appeal, and his good reputation in Washington society made him the perfect choice as a Presidential candidate--unlike the other contenders, he was liked as a person, and respected for his public career by everyone.   His inability to provide leadership in the "Bloody Kansas" conflict turned that situation into a dress reheasal for the Civil War. He was so reviled on leaving office that he never showed himself in public again.

The funny thing is that one Barbara Pierce, the mother of our current leader, is reputed to be one of his relatives--