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George Washington was perhaps our greatest President. He could've easily become a King (remember, back then no one had ever tried this "self-government" stuff before, and everybody had Kings). Washington had the stature to declare himself king, and most Americans wouldn't have minded. If people like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had objected, they would've easily have been pushed aside due to their unpopularity among certain circles.

However, George Washington decided to give this experiment a try. He set a lot of precedents in his first term...things like what he was called. Many people didn't know what to call him ("You Excellency"? "Your Highness"?). When someone suggested "Mr. President", Washington adopted it.

George Washington wasn't a perfect man. He had a spotty record as an officer in the French-Indian Wars. He made some colossal blunders as General in the Revolution. He had a massive temper that he had to learn to control. He chose incompetent subordinates in places due to their "experience" (Charles Lee) or outright traitors like Benedict Arnold.

However, he was steady, in control, a natural leader, learned from his mistakes, and knew goal of the war wasn't just to beat the British, but to secure independence for America.

He was the only man who could keep the coalition of disparate personalities like Southerners and New Englanders together during the Constitution process. He was smart enough to appoint Alexander Hamilton to run our treasury and stabilize our money.

George Washington deserves every accolade he's getting right now.

Sorry...must take a bit of exception to some of your post.

Charles Lee was thrust on Washington...in fact, some members of the Continental Congress wanted Lee to be Commander in Chief. Can't blame him for Lee.

As far as Arnold is concerned, he was one of Washington's bravest officers; if not for his charge on horseback during the battle, Saratoga would likely have been lost. Washington tried to get Arnold promoted, but Arnold had too many enemies in congress to get approved.

And finally, Washington's bravery at the Massacre on the Monagahela earned him worldwide fame. It's tough to blame Washington for the killing of Jumonville after the battle in the glen, since the battle was likely started by an errant shot and Jumonville killed by the Indians.