PEACEFUL
TRANSITION - He believed that a peaceful transition of power to a newly elected president was necessary before his death. - He feared that if he died in office and the vice-president ascended to the presidency, it would appear too much like an heir ascending to the throne after the death of a king. - When Washington stepped aside at the end of his second term, George III said that Washington’s retirement from the presidency along with his earlier resignation of Commander in Chief, “placed him in a light the most distinguished of any man living,” and that his relinquishing power made him “the greatest character of the age.” - He decided not to run for reelection in 1796. His decision set another precedent... - Presidents should serve no more than two terms. -John Adams defeated Thomas Jefferson in the second election setting up a peaceful transition of power. |