6 ms·

First is not necessarily best. But Washington deserves credit for setting the precedent of becoming an ex-president voluntarily. That was a big deal at the ti

by lisper 5y ago

First is not necessarily best. But Washington deserves credit for setting the precedent of becoming an ex-president voluntarily. That was a big deal at the time.

brnt 5y ago
And seems to be again...
- lisper 5y ago
  Indeed. :-(
jml7c5 5y ago
It's worth noting that Washington simply didn't want to be president any more. Leaving politics was also relief of his personal burden, rather than solely a noble sacrifice for republican values. He was exhausted after years of public service, his health was growing worse, and he was deeply frustrated by the mismanagement of his farm. In short: he was burnt out and wanted well-earned rest. That isn't to say he was blind to the dangerous precedent that would be set by remaining president until death. After all, he was president of the Society of the Cincinnati. (Named after Lucius Cincinnatus, a Roman who was given emergency dictatorial powers (two times?), which he relinquished when they were no longer necessary.) But he didn't want to remain president anyway, so the decision was not a fraught one. Source: half-remembered details from Ron Chernow's "Washington: A Life"