AHC/WI: George Washington a member of the Federalist Party?

George Washington was very much against the idea of Political Parties, even going as far as to stop talking with Jefferson when he created his Republican Party. The DR's were also very much against him, supporting France and being outraged as he sided more and more with the Federalists. Even so he saw how dangerous that Party Lines were becoming.

How can we get Washington to be a Federalist Party member, and how would that change his term(s), depending when he switched, and the Federalist Party itself?
 
He was effectively a Federalist President already. The Republican press was lambasting him pretty much throughout his second term; Jefferson resigned from his cabinet in disgust. The only reason he didn't officially join was that, as you say, he hated the idea of political parties - and, given his huge reputation, he wouldn't have gotten any benefit from officially joining.
 
He was effectively a Federalist President already. The Republican press was lambasting him pretty much throughout his second term; Jefferson resigned from his cabinet in disgust. The only reason he didn't officially join was that, as you say, he hated the idea of political parties - and, given his huge reputation, he wouldn't have gotten any benefit from officially joining.

But what i'm asking is not how it would help Washington, but how it could help the Federalists.
 
But what i'm asking is not how it would help Washington, but how it could help the Federalists.
Well, he was basically on the side of their program already. If it diminishes his reputation (as it might), it might actually hurt them. Any help might be their improved standing in the minds of people who didn't look beyond labels to see that Washington was basically agreeing with the Federalist platform already, or more respectability given to the whole concept of political parties.

But, it'd really help to have some idea of what causes Washington to officially join the Federalists. As it stands, I think the whole thing is rather implausible.
 
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