Commonwealth Club Of California Podcast

In a recent essay, President George W. Bush hails George Washington’s decision to leave the presidency after two terms, ensuring America would not become a monarchy. “[His] humility in giving up power willingly remains among the most consequential decisions and important examples in American politics.” Bush’s essay is part of the In Pursuit project, a new bipartisan civic initiative tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States. In Pursuit brings together an extraordinary roster of contributors, including reflections by Barack Obama on Abraham Lincoln and Bill Clinton on Theodore Roosevelt. “Presidents are powerful proxies for each of the distinct time periods that have made up our first 250 years, and as everyday citizens first and foremost who take on extraordinary responsibilities, they are also the preeminent way for us all to reflect on what leadership in our democracy is really all about,” said In Pursuit CEO Colleen Shogan, the 11th archivist of the United States. But it’s not just presidents.