What if Horatio Gates took George Washington's place in history?

Recently I was reading through For Want of a Nail: If Burgoyne Won at Saratoga and came across a passage after the British victory in the North American Rebellion stating that Horatio Gates would have been cheered as the "father of his country" had the Americans won. This got me thinking: how could Horatio Gates have taken George Washington's place in history, and what would the differences in the formation of the United States have been? What role would he have seen in writing the Constitution, assuming he didn't argue for keeping the Articles of Confederation? Assuming he even would have wanted to become president, would Gates have stayed in office for more or less terms?
 
Washington would pretty much have to die sometime after Gates' victory at Saratoga (which wasn't entirely of his doing), and before the disaster at Camden (which was entirely his doing). But assuming that happens, and the British accede he may not necessarily occupy the same position that Washington has in American history. Sure he would be known as the man who led the Continental Army to victory, but Washington has such a revered place because he did that and was the first U.S. President. Gates may or may not be able to gain that position because of his temperament, and his ability to ruffle feathers. I definitely don't think he possessed the political abilities that Washington had.
 
Top