"One of the earliest and most consequential presidential decisions was George Washington's decision to step down after two terms in office, despite the fact he would almost certainly have won a third term in office had he chosen to run. His decision set a pattern that would be followed by presidents for more than a century to follow, until FDR broke with tradition and instigated the passing of the 22nd Amendment. While popularly portrayed as a noble decision by Washington to restrain the power of the executive office, Yalof ...
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"One of the earliest and most consequential presidential decisions was George Washington's decision to step down after two terms in office, despite the fact he would almost certainly have won a third term in office had he chosen to run. His decision set a pattern that would be followed by presidents for more than a century to follow, until FDR broke with tradition and instigated the passing of the 22nd Amendment. While popularly portrayed as a noble decision by Washington to restrain the power of the executive office, Yalof argues that Washington was motivated in large part by self-interest-a desire to cement a legacy of honor and integrity. He was also never motivated by the desire to reign in the executive with an unwritten two-term limit. If anything, Washington hoped to strengthen the executive branch by demonstrating that the institution of the presidency could be trusted with even more power and independence than it had so far received. His voluntary relinquishment of the presidency after eight years in office achieved these goals"--
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