Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 21, 1993 TAG: 9302210092
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FREDERICKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
DID GEORGE SET THE STAGE FOR THE ACTOR-PRESIDENTS?
The scripted modern presidency, with its sound bites and choreographed appearances, may not be so modern after all.In fact, a new book contends that George Washington set the stage for the presidency as a largely theatrical job by paying close attention to his public image and going to great lengths to preserve it.
"Washington was really our first actor-president. That is not a new idea," said biographer Richard Norton Smith.
His book, "Patriarch: George Washington and the New Nation," contends that Washington was moved both by a genuine sense of duty and a strong personal desire to control his surroundings. At a time in Washington's life when he could easily have bowed out of politics, the Revolutionary War hero chose instead to take on the untested job of president, Smith said.
"He was something of a control freak."
And once in the job, Washington set about defining it in his own image.
"Almost every day of his presidency, he was establishing precedents for his successors to follow," Smith said.
And Washington recognized early the value of a good public image. He would travel from town to town on speaking tours, going most of the way in a carriage. A few miles outside of town Washington mounted a white charger and rode the rest of the way with his cape flaring behind.
"A presidential tour 200 years ago was just as rigidly choreographed as it is today," Smith said.
Not an inspired orator, Washington relied on his horse and other props for public appearances, aided favor among academics in recent years, said John Riley, historian at Mount Vernon, Washington's home in Alexandria.
The idea that Washington was a consummate politician has gained Washington recognized early the value of a good public image. He would travel from town to town on speaking tours, going most of the way in a carriage. A few miles outside of town Washington mounted a white charger and rode the rest of the way with his cape flaring behind. favor among academics in recent years, said John Riley, historian at Mount Vernon, Washington's home in Alexandria.
"There's something to it, but I don't know how much of it is looking at how 20th century politicians do things and trying to squeeze George into it," Riley said.
Washington indeed scripted many elements of his presidency, but was also feeling his way in very uncharted territory, Riley said.
"Some of it was definitely a spur-of-the-moment decision."
Washington protested during the framing of the Constitution that he did not want the new job of president, Smith said in a phone interview from Boston. And although Washington probably wanted the post all along, he did have serious doubts about what it might mean for his reputation and his future.
"Washington was secure and established, an old man, when he made his greatest sacrifice and greatest contribution," Smith said.
Washington was keenly aware that the future of the country depended in large measure on his success, Smith said.
"What held the country together was not the Constitution, that was just a piece of paper. It was George Washington," Smith said.
Washington kept the strong personalities in his Cabinet in check, and staved off the rise of political parties as a way of preserving unity. He tried hard to keep the country out of war and focused on establishing a firm political base, Smith said.
All of which speaks to considerable political skill, said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato.
"Look at how many generals have been disasters as candidates and presidents, or at the least very mediocre, while Washington had great success," Sabato said. "And there were many divisive events that could have sheared the country apart if he didn't have that skill."
his own imposing 6-foot-3 height and well-cut clothes.
His famous false teeth were a problem. They never fit correctly and caused Washington great pain, Smith said.
"It's hard to make a speech when your mouth is in agony."
The book, published this week, charts the last 10 years of Washington's life. Washington was president for eight of those years, and remained closely involved with the politics of the new nation.
The idea that Washington was a consummate politician has gained
/ Note: this is the way the story appeared in the paper.