George on George

George W Bush writes about George Washington:

Few qualities have inspired me more than Washington’s humility. I have studied the corrupting nature of power, and how retaining power for power’s sake has infected politics for generations. Our first president could have remained all-powerful, but twice he chose not to. …

After leading the United States to victory over Great Britain in the Revolutionary War, Washington was at the height of his power. Some suggested that he should become king. Instead, General Washington resigned his military commission in 1783.

To say this was not normal was an understatement. Even today we see military leaders seize power from democratic leaders. Washington was a military leader who gave up power.

As America’s first president, Washington knew “the first of everything in our situation will serve to establish a precedent.” So after two terms in office, with a distrust of long-seated rulers still fresh on America’s soul, Washington chose not to run again for president. And by once again relinquishing power rather than holding on to it, he ensured America wouldn’t become a monarchy, or worse.

And this precedent held as a convention until WWII, and was then made a constitutional requirement. It is one off the most important restraints on power the US had – Presidents can’t use the immense power ion their office to try and get re-elected endlessly.