Financial misdeeds, athletics scandals, and votes of "no confidence." How does a president escape all of these and hold office for the long haul? And "why" does one serve for an extensive term? In this article, the author explores these questions as he looks back on his long tenure at The George Washington University. He discusses some essential traits and characteristics of a successful presidency and explains why a president has to serve for an extensive term. (Contains 2 notes.)