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How should a President behave?

American

American

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Many things which appear of little importance in themselves and at the beginning, may have great and durable consequences from their having been established at the commencement of a new general government.

It will be much easier to commence the administration, upon a well adjusted system, built on tenable grounds, than to correct errors or alter inconveniences after they shall have been confirmed by habit.

The President in all matters of business and etiquette, can have no object but to demean himself in his public character, in such a manner as to maintain the dignity of Office, without subjecting himself to the imputation of superciliousness or unnecessary reserve.
– George Washington, Queries on a Line of Conduct to be Pursued by the President, May 10, 1789; "The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745—1799," edited by John C. Fitzpatrick, 39 vols. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office (1931-44) Vol. 30
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George Washington was keenly aware that being the first President, he would set the standard for all the followed. He put great effort in developing the humility and dignity of the American President, but being called Mr President, rather than lofty titles.

Let's hope that our Presidents maintain that image.
 
Your premise is out of context. I understand what you are trying to say but the idea doesn't make the trip. George Washington born 50 years ago would not be the same man that was the first President of the U.S.
 
I still think President's subscribe to their vision of how they should behave - they're mostly dignified, outspoken but restrained when necessary, respectful of others, contained . . . society in general has changed and thus of course they've changed as well but all out dignity hasn't left office completely.

I do like Washington and his desire for conformity and consistency in all things - to be able to form a more unified and congruent nation that would function well.
 
Just wondering what any of this has to do with the 2012 US Presidential Election?
 
American said:
George Washington was keenly aware that being the first President, he would set the standard for all the followed. He put great effort in developing the humility and dignity of the American President, but being called Mr President, rather than lofty titles.

Let's hope that our Presidents maintain that image.
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So our President should have a black manservant, ride nothing but horses, grow hemp and tobacco, and wear wooden teeth?
 
Hat tip to George Washington for respecting the office enough to represent with integrity and diligence, yet keeping it beneath the realm of King George's imposing stature, essentially serving proudly as a representative of the people as oppose to ruling over them with an iron fist.
 
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samsmart said:
So our President should have a black manservant, ride nothing but horses, grow hemp and tobacco, and wear wooden teeth?
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How is that helpful? You know he was referring to how Washington conducted himself as President.
 
Harshaw said:
Probably because it was smarmy, sarcastic, and ill-intentioned. Your turn.
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Actually, it raises a valid point.

Are we only looking at the traits we like from our historical figures or are we looking at the real them?
 
megaprogman said:
Actually, it raises a valid point.

Are we only looking at the traits we like from our historical figures or are we looking at the real them?
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In other words...do we prefer to deal in myth, or reality?

Hence why comparing the behavior of Presidents two centuries ago to the guys we have now is of limited utility.
 
Redress said:
Kinda like this whole thread?
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Not obviously, no. If you want to say that the OP is taking a veiled whack at Obama, then make the case, but it's not obviously intended that way and it isn't worded that way.
 
megaprogman said:
Actually, it raises a valid point.

Are we only looking at the traits we like from our historical figures or are we looking at the real them?
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It's pretty easy to make a distinction between the way someone behaves in office and what goes on outside the office.

I mean, aren't most people different at work than they are at home? If someone spends the weekend in his underwear on the couch surrounded by beer cans, but is neat, attentive, and well-dressed at work, does it mean he's unprofessional? Does it mean that others shouldn't behave as he does at work just because he's a slob on the weekend?
 
StillBallin75 said:
In other words...do we prefer to deal in myth, or reality?

Hence why comparing the behavior of Presidents two centuries ago to the guys we have now is of limited utility.
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Overall behavior, possibly. How he conducted himself in the same office, not as much.
 
Harshaw said:
It's pretty easy to make a distinction between the way someone behaves in office and what goes on outside the office.

I mean, aren't most people different at work than they are at home? If someone spends the weekend in his underwear on the couch surrounded by beer cans, but is neat, attentive, and well-dressed at work, does it mean he's unprofessional? Does it mean that others shouldn't behave as he does at work just because he's a slob on the weekend?
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So, everything he did in the office was good by any standard then?
 
A President should behave like a gentleman. :-D
 
Simple. A president should behave like Jimmy Carter.
 
Harshaw said:
Not obviously, no. If you want to say that the OP is taking a veiled whack at Obama, then make the case, but it's not obviously intended that way and it isn't worded that way.
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That's right; the OP expresses the hope that all Presidents will behave with humility and dignity. But I read it as an invitation to a flamefest in which Obama and Bush et al will be smacked.

Anyway, remembering that Washington was just as human as anybody else is important. And surely we all want gravitas in our Presidents.
 
I have deep respect for George Washington.

Regarding this topic, Washington had the distinct advantage of being president well before audiotape/videotape was in use.
 
johnny_rebson said:
I have deep respect for George Washington.

Regarding this topic, Washington had the distinct advantage of being president well before audiotape/videotape was in use.
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And before objective historicity was an actual issue. Good luck getting any rabid conservative/libertarian to admit that the founders were anything but demigods we should all be thanking our lucky stars for.
 
Washington owned 200 slaves.

Next.
 
AdamT said:
Washington owned 200 slaves.

Next.
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Give me a break!! Obama hung out with a terrorist. Bush smoked dope and drank in college. Every POTUS has their faults. You're saying we should dismiss how great of a man Washington was for something that was a common practice? Ridiculous.
 
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