The Election of 1788 (President Infinity Alternate Elections)

The country seems to be in unanimous approval that General George Washington should become the first President. 80-year-old Benjamin Franklin, however, has decided to give Washington a challenge, primarily in the name of democracy. No one believes that the elderly Pennsylvanian will actually, or even intends to, defeat the General, but some do believe that a Pennsylvania win could cost Washington the Presidency. The real competition is for the Vice Presidency, which heavily favors Massachusetts Diplomat John Adams, but New York's John Jay and George Clinton look like dark horse contenders.

Campaign
The campaign went as most expected. Washington held a strong lead though he fell in popularity quite drastically, surprisingly. Franklin gave Washington a strong fight in Franklin's home state, but Washington still looked poised to win the office. For the VP race, Adams remained the most popular choice but struggled to pick up electoral votes, leaving the election wide open despite his popularity.

Night Before the Election
Heading into election day, Washington still seemed sure to become President. Nobody agreed on the likely VP, but his popularity continued to make Adams the front runner.

Results
As expected, Washington secured the Presidency quite easily, losing only Pennsylvania to Franklin. For the VP, however, things were trickier. Pennsylvania's Franklin and Robert Morris both received 13 electoral votes, as did Adams, putting second place in a three-way deadlock. The Senate, in conjunction with President-Elect George Washington, decided that, having received the second greatest share of the popular vote, Franklin shall become Vice President, and both Adams and Morris will receive Cabinet positions.

The Cabinet
The Cabinet will be made of the head of each branch (President, Speaker, and Chief Justice), alongside the Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of War, Chief of Staff, and Attorney-General. Every position, save the President and VP, will be nominated by the President for a 4-year term with approval from the Senate, except for the Speaker whom the House approves.

President George Washington (VA)

Vice President Benjamin Franklin (PA)

Speaker of the House John Hancock (MA)-The famed landowner served as President of the Continental Congress longer than anyone else. Thus, Washington felt that Hancock was best able to guide and establish the House.

Chief Justice Thomas Jefferson (VA)-Although Jefferson's service as a lawyer was limited, it was decided that his logic and brilliance was well capable of guiding the Supreme Court's beginnings, though the position surely will not neutralize Jefferson's political ambition.

Secretary of State John Adams (MA)-Beyond being owed a position for the VP deadlock, Adams is possibly the most experienced Diplomat alive and an ideal choice.

Secretary of the Treasury Robert Morris (PA)-The other VP tie, Morris is a good friend to Washington and a respected banker who seems to have the sensibility to handle the nascent economy.

Secretary of War Friedrich Wilhelm von Steubun (foreign)-The Steubun selection stirred controversy as many were unsure about a Prussian serving in the inaugural American Cabinet, but the Senate reluctantly relented, accepting that Steubun's military training was essential to the Revolutionary victor, and he knows best how to train an army. Some report that Washington initially asked the French Marquis de Lafayette.

Attorney-General John Jay (NY)-Washington was split between Jay for the Attorney-General or Chief Justice, but he felt that Jay's foreign policy experience would best serve him working closely with Adams and an easy replacement should Adams, a likely scenario, become VP in four years.

Chief of Staff Alexander Hamilton (NY)-One of Washington's most trusted members of his war staff, Washington trust in the Hamilton's ability to keep the first Cabinet together and represent his interest. Many wonder how the ambitious young man can use this as a springboard to bigger things.