<p>Although the framers gave the president little authority Washington knew whatever he did would set precedents for generations of his successors. To ensure their ability to defend the nation he simply ignored the Constitution when he thought it necessary and reshaped the presidency into what James Madison called a “monarchical presidency.” Modern scholars call it the “imperial presidency.”</p> <p>A revealing new look at the birth of American government <i>Mr. President</i> describes George Washington’s assumption of office in a time of continual crisis as riots rebellion internecine warfare and attacks by foreign enemies threatened to destroy the new nation. Drawing on rare documents and letters Unger shows how Washington combined political cunning daring and sheer genius to seize ever-widening powers to solve each crisis.</p> <p>In a series of brilliant but unconstitutional maneuvers Washington forced Congress to cede control of the four pillars of executive power: war finance foreign affairs and law enforcement. Then in the absence of Congress he sent troops to fight Indian wars crush tax revolts and put down threats of secession by three states.<br></p><p>Constantly weighing preservation of the Union against preservation of individual liberties and states’ rights Washington assumed more power with each crisis. Often only a breath away from reestablishing the tyranny he pledged to destroy in the Revolutionary War he imposed law and order across the land while ensuring individual freedom and self-government.</p> <P>©2013 Harlow Giles Unger (P)2013 Blackstone Audio Inc.
