Say George Washington died shortly before the first Presidential election and therefore never became president. What happens?
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, begin their Political rivalry early. With both trying to gain the position of First President.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, begin their Political rivalry early. With both trying to gain the position of First President.
Same as Our TL John Adams would win the first election.Who would win the first election then?
The office of President would be completely different.Would the Presidency even exist as we know it without it being designed under the assumption that Washington would hold the office?
The office of President would be completely different.
Well the idea is he dies shortly before the election - its unlikely it would that different - if was tough work making the constitution and I don't see them going back to the drawing board or wanting to. What we do likely see is John Adams winning and our politics being slightly sped up.
The out line of the office was constitutionally draw, but not the bits inbetween, which without George Washington in the position and John Adams not in the VP seat, working for Washington.
We may see a one term limit brought in![]()
Hmm, would the VP be more powerful?
I think if anybody but Adams gets to be the first VP, the position could end up akin to the Lieutenant Governor of states like Texas, as a sort of Leader of the Senate. Adams infuriated the senators by, well, by being John Adams, until they threatened to revoke his speaking privilieges and the rest is history. I could see somebody like John Jay turning it into a Government Leader in the Senate position.
Same as Our TL John Adams would win the first election.