Barack Obama Is Cool, But I Like Benji Franklin Better: 7 Reasons Why The Founding Father Still Wins The 'Cool' War

The phrase "Barack Obama cool but I like Benji Franklin better" has recently resurfaced across social media, sparking a fresh debate about the nature of American "coolness" and political legacy. As of December 14, 2025, this seemingly simple comparison between the nation's first African-American President and one of its most eccentric Founding Fathers offers a fascinating lens through which to view American history, innovation, and charisma. While Barack Obama defined the modern, smooth, and intellectual statesman, Benjamin Franklin's enduring appeal lies in his radical polymathy, self-made success, and revolutionary wit. This article dives deep into the attributes of both men to uncover why, for a growing number of people, the 18th-century printer, inventor, and diplomat still holds the edge in the ultimate cool contest.

The Ultimate Biographies: Obama vs. Franklin

To understand the comparison, we must first establish the immense scope of both men's lives. The sheer volume of their accomplishments—separated by over two centuries—makes them two of the most consequential figures in American history.

Barack Hussein Obama II (1961–Present)

• Born: August 4, 1961, Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Education: Columbia University (B.A.), Harvard Law School (J.D., magna cum laude).
• Career Highlights: Community Organizer, Civil Rights Attorney, Illinois State Senator (1997–2004), U.S. Senator (2005–2008), 44th President of the United States (2009–2017).
• Key Legislation/Initiatives: Affordable Care Act (ACA), Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform, Paris Agreement on climate change, end of the Iraq War, elimination of Osama bin Laden.
• Post-Presidency: Philanthropist, author (A Promised Land), producer (Higher Ground Productions), global speaker.
• Key Entity Keywords: Presidential Library, Nobel Peace Prize, Hope Poster, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama, Stimulus Package, Clean Power Plan.

Benjamin "Benji" Franklin (1706–1790)

• Born: January 17, 1706, Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony.
• Education: Largely self-taught after two years of formal schooling.
• Career Highlights: Printer, publisher (Poor Richard's Almanack), author, inventor (bifocals, lightning rod, Franklin stove), scientist, diplomat, leading figure of the American Enlightenment, Founding Father.
• Key Political Roles: Postmaster General, Pennsylvania Assemblyman, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signer of the U.S. Constitution, first U.S. Ambassador to France.
• Enduring Legacy: Founder of the University of Pennsylvania and the American Philosophical Society, co-author of the Treaty of Paris (1783).
• Key Entity Keywords: Junto, Albany Plan of Union, Kite Experiment, Polymath, Virtues, Philadelphia, Constitutional Convention, French Alliance, "Early to bed, and early to rise..."

7 Reasons Why Benjamin Franklin's Legacy Still Outshines Modern Charisma

The core of the "Obama cool but Franklin better" sentiment lies in the difference between contemporary charisma and timeless, multifaceted genius. While Obama's coolness is defined by his rhetorical skill, modern style, and political achievement, Franklin's appeal is rooted in his foundational impact on science, society, and the very concept of the American Dream.

1. The Pure Polymath Advantage: Inventor vs. Orator

Barack Obama is an intellectual powerhouse and a gifted orator whose legacy is primarily political and rhetorical. Benjamin Franklin, however, was a genuine polymath whose inventions and scientific discoveries fundamentally changed daily life. His invention of the lightning rod protected countless buildings, the Franklin stove improved home heating efficiency, and bifocals revolutionized vision correction. This practical, hands-on contribution to human well-being gives him a unique kind of "cool" that transcends political affiliation. Franklin's scientific contributions, including his work on electricity, are still studied today.

2. The Self-Made Man Mythos: Unrivaled Social Mobility

Obama's journey from community organizer to President is an extraordinary American success story. Yet, Franklin's rise from a runaway apprentice printer to a world-renowned scientist and diplomat is arguably the ultimate rags-to-riches narrative. He embodied the *self-made man* concept before it was even a formalized idea. His philosophy, detailed in his *Autobiography* and *Poor Richard's Almanack*, provided a moral and economic blueprint for generations, emphasizing virtues like industry, frugality, and temperance—a foundational American ethos.

3. The Diplomatic Pioneer: The Original Global Superstar

While Obama is a celebrated global figure, Franklin was America's first true international superstar. His time in France was critical; he single-handedly secured the French Alliance during the Revolutionary War, a diplomatic feat that ensured American victory. His image—the fur cap, the simple demeanor—was an 18th-century brand that captivated European society. His diplomatic genius at the Treaty of Paris (1783) and the Constitutional Convention demonstrated a political acumen that bridged revolutionary fervor with pragmatic nation-building.

4. The Enduring Wit and Humor: A Timeless Voice

Obama's speeches are known for their gravitas and soaring rhetoric, often punctuated by a dry, modern humor. Franklin’s wit, however, is woven into the fabric of American culture through his aphorisms. Phrases like "A penny saved is a penny earned" and "Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead" are instantly recognizable and still quoted centuries later. This combination of wisdom and humor, delivered through his publications, cemented his status as a cultural icon whose voice remains relevant and entertaining.

5. The Institutional Builder: Foundations Over Policy

Obama's legacy is tied to major policy achievements like the Affordable Care Act and financial regulatory reform (Dodd-Frank). Franklin's legacy is tied to the *creation of institutions* themselves. He founded the first public lending library, the first volunteer fire department, the University of Pennsylvania, and played a crucial role in forming the American Philosophical Society. He created the infrastructure for a modern, educated, and civil society, providing the very groundwork upon which future leaders, including Obama, would build.

6. The Philosophical Depth: Pragmatism vs. Ideology

Franklin's approach to governance was defined by radical pragmatism. He was a master compromiser, evident in his role at the Constitutional Convention where he urged unity despite deep ideological divisions. Some analysts suggest that Franklin, with his carefully reasoned logic, would have been very fond of Obama, seeing a similar intellectual rigor in his decision-making. However, Franklin's philosophy was less about political ideology and more about practical, ethical living—a focus on self-improvement that resonates outside the often-divisive world of modern politics.

7. The Monetary Icon: Permanence on the $100 Bill

In a purely symbolic sense, Franklin’s permanent presence on the $100 bill gives him a unique, daily relevance that no modern President can match. While Obama’s image is immortalized in history books and presidential libraries, Franklin’s portrait is handled by millions every day, a constant reminder of his status as a foundational figure of American economic and intellectual life. This simple fact ensures his face remains one of the most recognized globally, solidifying his unique brand of American "cool."

The Final Verdict on the 'Cool' Comparison

Ultimately, the sentiment "Barack Obama cool but I like Benji Franklin better" is a testament to the enduring American fascination with the multi-hyphenate, self-made genius. Obama is undeniably a modern icon—charismatic, intelligent, and historically significant. But Benjamin Franklin represents a unique, almost mythical American figure: the inventor, the writer, the diplomat, and the philosopher, all rolled into one. His "cool" factor is not about style or rhetoric, but about his foundational impact on American life, making him a timeless entity that continues to inspire curiosity and admiration well into the 21st century.