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Seventh?!?

A recent poll revealed that Americans rank George Washington, the Father of our Country, a mere seventh on their list of top U.S. Presidents, trailing such names as Clinton and Reagan. If I may quote the great Johnny Mac for a moment–”You cannot be serious!?!”

Really, seventh? This is the same Washington who headed up the Continental Army, guided an up-and-coming nation called “The United States of America”, and set the standard for every future President to come! A man of modest demeanor, humble ambitions, and selfless integrity, Washington was socially light years ahead of his peers. A reluctant slaveowner himself, Washington understood the potential risks of recklessly addressing the issue of abolition and its potential consequences on the fragile new republic. He had this to say:

“There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see some plan adopted for the gradual abolition (of slavery).”

Washington understood the need to avoid certain similarities between the new Union and the monarchy we had just defeated during the Revolution, so he wisely refused more than two terms in office. Careful to ensure that the highest level of power in the land was kept in the hands of a civilian, Washington surrendered his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Army to Congress. Without question, Washington personified the model of reluctant yet brilliant leadership.

Seventh.

Let’s see Slick Willy spend a winter in Valley Forge!