Who is the pretender to the United States' throne?

[Little_Nemo]

@Jim_s_Son

FDR did a pretty good job of prolonging the depression with his idiotic policies of raising prices and lowering output (see Amity Shlaes “The Forgotten Man”). Of course a lot of the New Deal was continuing Hoover’s policies, which were a lot more activist than people remember today. But at least FDR had Republicans like Eisenhower and MacArthur in charge of the war effort. But ending the depression was low on FDR’s list of priorities, he wanted to remake society.

This is on topic, I suppose, this being an alternate history thread.

[SmithCommaJohn]

I’m just glad this isn’t a birther thread, which I half-expected thanks to the title.

[Mister_Rik]

@Kilmore

Hamilton would never be king. He’d always be the guy in the dark cloak whispering in the King’s ear. Washington was just smart enough to give him a job title.

Silly! Hamilton didn’t even have a goatee!

[yabob]

@Deeg

A descendant of Alexander Hamilton might fit the bill. If Washington took the US throne he might have adopted Hamilton or at least named him the successor.

Considering the “adoptive” idea:

Suppose the presidency had operated like Rome during the era of the “five good emperors” - Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. During this era, they named a successor who became an adoptive son of the ruling emperor during his reign. Marcus broke the chain by naming his mental case of a biological son, Commodus. Of course, the real reason for the system may have been a string of emperors who lacked biological heirs, rather than an attempt to promote able leadership by finding a promising candidate and grooming him for the job.

George Washington not having biological heirs might have started such a system. However, following an “adoptive” system, I doubt that he would have named somebody like Hamilton, or any of his other prominent contemporaries. He would have named a younger protege he favored instead. Perhaps Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee?

That thought actually illustrates something which could have been a severe problem, and possibly accelerated the Civil War - a dynasty of Virginia patricians, leading to massive resentment in Boston and Philadelphia. The only one that wasn’t part of the Virginia crowd in the first five was John Adams anyway, but with the office being elective, northern politicians could reasonably aspire to it. Dewitt Clinton made a good run at it, for instance.

[Mr.Excellent]

@friedo

What in the hell does a king need a Vice President for?

To assist his President, and replace him if needed? Bismark served as the Minister President of the Kingdom of Prussia, under King Wilhelm I. Minister President of Prussia - Wikipedia

ETA: Further, Wilhelm himself served as President of the short-lived North German Confederation. The King of Prussia was a President.

[Little_Nemo]

@yabob

George Washington not having biological heirs might have started such a system. However, following an “adoptive” system, I doubt that he would have named somebody like Hamilton, or any of his other prominent contemporaries. He would have named a younger protege he favored instead. Perhaps Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee?

Washington and Hamilton were not really contemporaries in terms of age. Washington was 23 years older than Hamilton. And there were rumors during their lifetime (which are false) that Washington was Hamilton’s actual father based on the favoritism Washington showed Hamilton.

[Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew]

@johnpost

@Little_Nemo

Richard Nixon - January 23, 1973 to April 22, 1994

of course if Dick was convicted that would change to

Gerald Ford to Dec. 26, 2006

Convicted of what? This way, Nixon wasn’t president during Watergate!

[Guinastasia]

Did George Washington’s brother have any offspring? (too lazy to look it up)

[Lord_Ashtar]

@yabob

George Washington not having biological heirs might have started such a system. However, following an “adoptive” system, I doubt that he would have named somebody like Hamilton, or any of his other prominent contemporaries. He would have named a younger protege he favored instead. Perhaps Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee?

If that had happened, then I might be President right now, since I can trace my ancestry back directly to Henry Lee.

Ooh, the things I would’ve done…

[Captain_Amazing]

@Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew

@johnpost

of course if Dick was convicted that would change to

Gerald Ford to Dec. 26, 2006

Convicted of what? This way, Nixon wasn’t president during Watergate!

Besides, monarchs for life don’t have to worry about fixing relections.