Posted on 02/11/2006 3:48:12 PM PST by Pharmboy
George Washington leads the list of presidential "Good Guys," according to the The Personality and the Presidency Project.
TWO EXPERTS on the psychology of leadership place George Washington in a small group of U.S. presidents they call the "Good Guys."
Steve Rubenzer and Thomas R. Faschingbauer authored the 2004 book "Personality, Character & Leadership in the White House: Psychologists Assess the Presidents."
Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt, both of whom are widely believed to have beaten serious depression problems by becoming workaholics, were rated higher than 90 percent of Americans on focusing on their goals, according to the book, which includes input from a number of doctors and historians.
President George W. Bush, Rubenzer and Faschingbauer conclude, "most resembles Andrew Jackson and Ronald Reagan."
The authors began the Foundation for the Study of Personality in History in 1994 with a study on presidential personalities, inspired by criticism of President Bill Clinton, who they classify as an "Extrovert," along with John F. Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt.
Rubenzer is a clinical psychologist in Houston. Faschingbauer is a retired clinical psychologist who has taught at Duke University Medical School and the University of Texas Medical School in Houston.
George Washington was born in Westmoreland County and grew up at Ferry Farm in Stafford County before moving to Mount Vernon in Arlington.
Richard Lahey, a National Park Service historian at Washington's Birthplace in Westmoreland, wouldn't disagree with the "Good Guy" assessment, but says the first president "was a hard guy to get your arms around--someone who was extremely private and always disinterested in having his personal life in the press."
Lahey said Washington didn't like "to talk to anybody but his friends" about private matters.
Today, Lahey noted, politicians are forced to talk ad nauseam "about how they grew up. Washington wasn't that way. Washington was reserved about his feelings."
"Personality, Character & Leadership in the White House" concludes that today, honesty and straightforwardness make success in the White House difficult, in spite of polls that show that's what the public says it wants. The authors conclude that, "A president's character has no relation to how good historians judge him to be."
Washington did do a good job of "spinning" his image in one way, though.
He was said to "have a really bad temper," Lahey said. "It was said that the only thing that trumped his temper was his self-control."
Lahey said Washington's resolve "gave him a certain kind of bearing--something that people wanted to follow."
In the film "The Patriot," Lahey noted, the director chose to convey Washington's presence merely by showing his shadow--and that was powerful enough.
"He could have ruined it all by being a chatterbox," Lahey said.
He said Washington passed through the world with "great fluidity, but wasn't much of a talker."
There will be much talk about him in the next two weeks, however.
Marion Nelson Winship, instructor of American history at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, will give a lecture on "Washington's Sense of Place" at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in the George Washington's Birthplace National Monument Visitor Center, 38 miles east of Fredericksburg at 1732 Popes Creek Road in Westmoreland County near Colonial Beach.
Admission to the lecture is free.
The 550-acre site includes the "heart" of the plantation owned by Washington's father, Augustine, the foundation of the home in which the first president was born and a 55-foot granite obelisk erected in 1896.
It also features a memorial mansion, outbuildings and a garden and farm. The Washington Family Burial Ground there contains the remains of Washington's father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Washington was born on Feb. 22 in 1732.
On Monday, Feb. 20, park ranger programs interpreting Washington's life and accomplishments will be given hourly. Costumed interpreters will perform plantation activities and farm chores throughout the day.
Also on Feb. 20--a federal holiday--gingerbread and hot cider will be served at the Log House from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., compliments of the George Washington Birthplace National Memorial Association.
On Feb. 22, birthday cake and punch will be served at 1 p.m. in the visitors center. Admission is free both days.
Free Lance-Star librarian Craig Schulin contributed to this story.
Good Guys According to the Web site (personalityinhistory.com/default.asp) of the Personality and the Presidency Project, White House "Good Guys" include George Washington, Rutherford B. Hayes, Zachary Taylor, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Grover Cleveland and Gerald Ford.
Good Guys "almost never feel themselves to be worthless, are rarely jittery or tense, and don't feel overwhelmed by stress. They make good decisions even under adversity. They have a hard time lying, aren't crafty or sly, and don't trick, bully or flatter people to get their way. They don't spend much time fantasizing and daydreaming, but don't deny problems."
Dominators
The project concluded that presidential "Dominators" include Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Andrew Johnson, Andrew Jackson, James Polk, Teddy Roosevelt and Chester Arthur.
"They are prone to bully others and to disregard the feelings and rights of those not on their side. They are bossy, demanding, and domineering; they flatter or manipulate people to get their way. They bend or break rules, and as presidents, stretch the constraints of constitutional government. They are not religious or spiritual, and tend to be prejudiced."
Introverts
Those classified as "introverts" by the project are John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Richard Nixon, Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, James Buchanan, Woodrow Wilson and Benjamin Harrison.
"Introverted presidents are psychologically minded, complex, deep men. They are not regarded as warm and friendly, and have difficulty controlling social situations. They prefer to work alone and avoid close relationships. Often jittery or tense, they are not happy and high-spirited; they tend to feel irritable, overwhelmed by stress, and to overreact."
Innocents
William Howard Taft, Warren Harding and U.S. Grant are classified as "Innocents."
"Submissive and accept domination easily gullible, naive, suggestible. Not autonomous, independent or individualistic, they sometimes don't assert themselves when they should. Compared to other presidents (who are an industrious lot), they have trouble getting motivated and down to work, and are lethargic, sluggish, lazy, and slothful."
Actors
Ronald Reagan, Warren Harding, William Henry Harrison, Bill Clinton and Franklin Pierce.
"Compared to other presidents, actors are gullible, naive, and suggestible, warm and self-disclosing; they allow their feelings to show on their faces and in their posture. They are not meticulous, perfectionistic, or precise and tolerate unethical behavior in colleagues. Actors are enthusiastic, spirited, vivacious, zestful, charismatic and charming."
Maintainers
William McKinley, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford and Harry Truman.
"Maintainers stay focused on the job, work slowly but steadily, and are industrious, persistent, tenacious, thorough. They are uncreative, unimaginative, and do not indulge in elaborate daydreams and fantasies. They are conforming and conventional, not rebellious."
Philosophers
James Garfield, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Jimmy Carter and Rutherford Hayes.
"Compared to other presidents, Philosophers are curious and inquisitive, interested in science, and fascinated by patterns in nature and art. They are concerned with philosophical issues (religion, the meaning of life) broadminded They are also nice people: They believe that everyone is deserving of respect."
Extroverts
FDR, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, William Harrison, Warren Harding, Andrew Jackson and LBJ.
"Extroverted presidents are enthusiastic, spirited, vivacious, and zestful; they call attention to themselves. They are impetuous, uninhibited, unrestrained, are not consistent, predictable, or steady. They don't take pride in being rational or objective."
For more information on the Personality and the Presidency Project, see the Web site at personalityinhistory.com/Default.asp, or the book "Personality, Character & Leadership in the White House: Psychologists Assess the Presidents," published by Brassey's and available at Amazon.com.
Washington was a historical giant. We all tend to take him for granted today, but it would behoove all of us to learn more about him.
The service he did for this country was remarkable and a lesser man would have led us to something else quite different.
I am a Washington nutcase...and what you say is absolutely correct.
Jimmy Carter is a philosopher? Say, what?
And bill clinton is an extrovert? Permit me to say that he is a classic case of pathological narcissism.
Instead of categorizing Washington, I prefer to just say "thank you" for leading the fight that founded the great nation we live in today.
A lesser leader never would have weathered the storm of defeat, criticism and suffereing.
Thanks and blessings to your memory GW !
Please FreepMail me to get ON or OFF this RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list.
Some of you might wonder why I refer to our first president as "General Washington" rather than "President Washington." Good question. The General expressed the view that ex-presidents should be referred to with the title of their highest military rank (it would have been unthinkable to The General that a president would not have served).
I think GW and the rest of the founders would be pleased in how we progessed as a nation. Yes we do have problems, but I think they are pleased..
I like it. I hope to see former President Clinton introduced as "The Draft Dodger".
He mastered both, and the credit he gets for that into our public schools today is shameful.
The first President who gets any real mention or credit in the public schools is usually Lincoln.
There wouldn't have been any Lincoln but for the incredible leadership of Washington.
FDR, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, William Harrison, Warren Harding, Andrew Jackson and LBJ.
"Extroverted presidents are enthusiastic, spirited, vivacious, and zestful; they call attention to themselves. They are impetuous, uninhibited, unrestrained, are not consistent, predictable, or steady. They don't take pride in being rational or objective."
I CALL B.S.......Reagon was NOT "unrestrained, inconsistent, steady, and most of all took pride in being "rational." (Unlike Cl8nton...sorry...refuse to use his real name)
make that "unsteady"...
Good comment--and, I also refuse to type his name. He will always be "x42" to me.
Thanks....I love the Washington quotes on your page.....I'm trying to provide INCENTIVE for a nephew to stay/be GOOD....and those will help....(he's only 13...LOL)
Please show your nephew Washington's Rules of Civility. Their origin is Jesuit, even though The General was an Anglican (Episcopalian). A traveling tutor who was Catholic helped educate young George in Fredericksburg.
I've been thinking about buying a movie called 'The Crossing,' which is about George Washington and the battle of Trenton with Jeff Daniels. Does anyone recommend it?
Well put, GfG, although I'd quibble that the political support for the national park system came from vested interests who wanted to prevent economic development and population movement into new areas.
By refusing a third term, Washington set the precedent for two terms, earning him the title "The American Cincinnatus" (the city in Ohio was named after Washington, just obliquely). John Adams (as well as his son, JQ Adams) served but one, but that was not by choice. Other than the Adams family, all the presidents from Washington to Jackson, inclusive, served two terms. After Jackson, there were none elected to a second term until Lincoln.
Johnson served out the remainder of Lincoln's second term, and was succeeded by US Grant, who served two. He was the last president until TR to serve two consecutive terms. Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms, during which time he reportedly served up more vetoes than any US president, ever.
It's not surprising at all that it was a Dhimmicrat (Wilson) who first sought a third term. Wilson, newly (barely) recovered from his health crisis, sat in the nominating convention, smiling, expecting to be nominated, refusing to endorse any other candidate.
It's also not surprising at all that FDR became the first (and only) president to gain a third term, and be elected to a fourth. Truman, despite "Chicago VIII" revisionism, wasn't nearly as popular as FDR had been, and though he was granted a third term by the XXII amendment, he knew better than to seek it.
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