Description: "One of the earliest and most consequential presidential decisions was George Washington's decision to step down after two terms in office, despite the fact he would almost certainly have won a third term in office had he chosen to run. His decision set a pattern that would be followed by presidents for more than a century to follow, until FDR broke with tradition and instigated the passing of the 22nd Amendment. While popularly portrayed as a noble decision by Washington to restrain the power of the executive office, Yalof argues that Washington was motivated in large part by self-interest-a desire to cement a legacy of honor and integrity. He was also never motivated by the desire to reign in the executive with an unwritten two-term limit. If anything, Washington hoped to strengthen the executive branch by demonstrating that the institution of the presidency could be trusted with even more power and independence than it had so far received. His voluntary relinquishment of the presidency after eight years in office achieved these goals"--
Brief description:
David A. Yalof is vice provost for academic affairs, College of William & Mary, and coauthor of The Enduring Democracy, among other books.
Review Quotes:
"Yalof offers for the first time a serious, provocative, and gracefully written account of the two-term presidency. Washington's famous decision to limit his tenure in office, Yalof argues, was more complicated and certainly more interesting than standard mythology suggests. To understand why, you must read this book!"--Stephen Howard Browne, author of The First Inauguration: George Washington and the Invention of the Republic
"Yalof reminds us that presidents are usually assessed according to what they do--their lasting accomplishments--rather than what they do not do and by their restraint. Yet, as this book so admirably demonstrates, Washington's decision to step down after two terms shaped the development of the office, strengthened the young Republic, and remains a relevant cautionary tale today. Both Washington's lesson and Yalof's assessment of it offer a timely reminder, contrasting the great Founder's actions with those of Donald Trump who attempted to negate the results of an election and hold on to power. This most welcome addition to the literature succeeds in dispelling old misconceptions and offering important, new scholarly interpretations about a topic well known to all, yet one that, curiously, has been generally overlooked by researchers."--Robert Watson, Distinguished Professor of American History and Avron Fogelman Research Professor at Lynn University, and author of America's First Crisis, The Nazi Titanic, The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn, George Washington's Final Battle and Escape!