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Being indispensable has lofty connotations. Some might say that it is the highest prestige and most generous compliment. A statement that includes one’s indispensability lends itself to be scrutinized by skeptics and researched by historians. By boldly concluding that George Washington was absolutely necessary, essential, and irreplaceable, James Flexner proposed an interesting question: Could the young republic of the United States have survived with similar success had Washington not been the original executor? Throughout his political career, Washington continued to prove himself to be one of the most courageous, knowledgeable, qualified, and mature leaders in U.S., if not world, history. If the definition of indispensable is irreplaceable, than George Washington was truly an indispensable man. The main quality that Washington possessed that made him and his term in office so distinct and essential to the early republic was his powerful mentality that he was going to make the new government work, no matter what. He was not interested in personal gain and was not motivated by a selfish agenda. He never saw the position as a soapbox for his own views, but rather a podium for the Constitution. Washington purposefully surrounded himself with some of the best minds that this country had to offer. He certainly was also well aware of the fact that his cabinet members’ political views contrasted sharply. By appointing Thomas Jefferson and Edmond Randolph, Washington could collect information from two of the brightest liberals in America and become more learned of the action in the South and West.
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