PERIODIC PRESIDENTS on BOBBLEHEAD GEORGE

George Washington may have been “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen…” but he also was a very reluctant president.  In a letter to Henry Knox he stated that his “...movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.”

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In the first presidential election, held in 1789, the voters had to convince a weary Washington to “run” for the president.  It was really less of an election and more of a selection.  All 69 members of the Electoral College unanimously elected Washington, the only president to achieve such an honor.

 

The nation’s second presidential election was held in 1792.  Washington was not thrilled with running for president.  He was ready to retire to his home at Mount Vernon.  But, the times were tumultuous.  On the world stage, France and Britain were at odds and a home, the young County needed a steady hand at the helm of the ship.

As such, Washington decided to remain the president of this new country, once again winning unanimously getting all 132 electoral votes.

 

In 1797, Washington stepped aside from the Presidency, refusing to serve a third term...setting in place the two term precedent that would be followed up until Franklin Roosevelt ran (and won) 4 terms.  At the time of his departure from the Presidency the county had weathered internal strife, dealt with conflict abroad, and added two new States...Kentucky and Vermont.

 

A year and a half after returning to his Virginia home, Mount Vernon, George Washington succumbed to a throat infection and passed away at the age of 67...just a few weeks shy of the year 1800.

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