Troy Senik
Should we do away with presidential term limits?
The discussion was driven by a bill filed last week by veteran New York Congressman Jose Serrano (a Democrat) to repeal the 22nd Amendment, limiting presidents to two terms. To Serrano’s credit, his motives seem to be institutional rather than partisan. He’s filed this legislation in the midst of both Republican and Democratic administrations. And you might be surprised to know which other members of Congress have voiced their support for the idea in the past — they include Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, and Steny Hoyer.
You’ll have to listen to the podcast for my proposed solution, which involves taking a page out of a former president’s playbook.
Blowback
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Yes! Please! Americans deserve Obama ’til the bitter end.
levi on January 18, 2013 at 10:42 AM
No thanks, we don’t need grifters buying off the populace to keep themselves ensconced in the good life forever.
Bishop on January 18, 2013 at 10:42 AM
No, in fact it should be applied to every elected office in the country, right down to the county clerk. Public office is not meant to be and never should be a profession.
Rocks on January 18, 2013 at 10:43 AM
So troy drew the short straw and had to be the first to float this completely predictable balloon.
Lost in Jersey on January 18, 2013 at 10:44 AM
Lets have the red states leave the union, the blue states can have their GodKingy McFascistpants for as long as they like.
Rebar on January 18, 2013 at 10:44 AM
I have no problem with it so long as it doesn’t apply to the current occupant of the White House or any previous occupant.
DRayRaven on January 18, 2013 at 10:45 AM
Why would anyone be surprised that Reid and Hoyer supported this?
Kataklysmic on January 18, 2013 at 10:45 AM
I think that’s what Congress is for.
Rollie on January 18, 2013 at 10:46 AM
I think it’s obvious that we have to. What are we going to do without King Nothing to guide us?
Red Cloud on January 18, 2013 at 10:48 AM
Absolutely not.
Next question.
Good Lt on January 18, 2013 at 10:48 AM
No
Ellis on January 18, 2013 at 10:49 AM
I don’t see how that’s possible. Over half the states have Republican-controlled legislatures. The 22nd Amendment will never be repealed.
Doughboy on January 18, 2013 at 10:50 AM
I think we need to have a term limit on the Federal Government. How great would it be if after every 49 year period, the states would have a “Jubilee”. Every state would become autonomous for four years, and only after four years would the states then have the option to rejoin the Union for the next 49 years.
Weight of Glory on January 18, 2013 at 10:50 AM
No.
But we should impose congressional term limits.
BacaDog on January 18, 2013 at 10:50 AM
Or any relative, significant other, or same sex partner of the current or any previous occupant!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on January 18, 2013 at 10:50 AM
So, if it is such a good idea, you should have no problem corralling the 2/3 of the House, 2/3 of the Senate, and 38 state legislatures, should you?
Let us know how that goes, will you?
JohnGalt23 on January 18, 2013 at 10:50 AM
I’d rather abolish the 16th and 17th amendments, but for some odd reason, the demand seems non-existent.
locomotivebreath1901 on January 18, 2013 at 10:53 AM
No. But on a different note, this is how the left begins to implement their agenda.
nobar on January 18, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Woulda liked to see this come up when Bush was POTUS. Hypocritical liberals.
MelonCollie on January 18, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Gee, why not just go all the way and have an elective monarch serve for life, as Alexander Hamilton proposed at the Constituional Convention? (For the record, I’m one of those who thinks he wasn’t serious, he was just being bad cop in a good cop bad cop routine; after his proposal the idea of having an elected president serve four year terms didn’t seem so outlandish.)
radjah shelduck on January 18, 2013 at 10:56 AM
What a nauseating thought.
Night Owl on January 18, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Who didn’t see this coming? These fools wanted to get rid of the period between the election and inauguration in 2008 because Obama needed to get to work right away!
thebrokenrattle on January 18, 2013 at 10:57 AM
BTW: note that while FDR won 46 of the 48 states his first reelection in 1936, he lost 10 states in ’40 and 12 in ’44. So even though he won, his act was wearing thin on a lot of people.
radjah shelduck on January 18, 2013 at 10:58 AM
No. All politicians should be term limited.
CorporatePiggy on January 18, 2013 at 10:58 AM
Completely unrelated: Jose Serrano has been in the US House for the last 23 years and political office since 1975.
The Count on January 18, 2013 at 11:00 AM
No. Term limits should be extended to the tenatious, corrupt and embedded Congress Critters who seem to find their way into but not out of the swamps of DC.
Fallon on January 18, 2013 at 11:01 AM
I’d be fine with enacting a twelve year limit to all elected offices.
ElectricPhase on January 18, 2013 at 11:05 AM
He introduced the same amendment 4 different times while Bush was President.
AngusMc on January 18, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Disarm the populace, make Barky President-for-Life.
And they wonder why I need an M&P-15T.
Washington Nearsider on January 18, 2013 at 11:12 AM
Assumes U.S. survives to have another election.
kurtzz3 on January 18, 2013 at 11:18 AM
Absoltutely NOT!
Resist We Much on January 18, 2013 at 11:31 AM
Not only should we keep and institute term limits for all elected federal officials, but we should have a constitutional amendment to DNA test everyone and prohibit anyone with 25% matching chromosomes with any other office holder or their spouses. Spouses would be prohibited from holding any office held by their spouse.
Old Country Boy on January 18, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Term limits should be 12 years, in all federal elected positions. All years accumulate, as well.
I’d like to extend it to the states as well (with the accumulation there counting against federal time), but there’s that federalist thing.
Absolutely crucify the political class in this country.
Scott H on January 18, 2013 at 11:54 AM
At this point maybe we should be talking about term limits for dictators.
Flange on January 18, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Let’s wait on that…
lexhamfox on January 18, 2013 at 12:11 PM
We only barely have term limits now, since the preezyness is concentrated in a small number of political families. Please refer to my handy list of past & predicted presidents:
1988 – Geo. H. W. Bush
1992 – Bill Clinton
2000 – Geo. W. Bush
2008 – Barky Obummer
2016 – Hillary Clinton
2024 – Michele Obummer
2028 – Chelsea Clinton
2032 – Geo. P. Bush
2040 – Malia Obummer
KS Rex on January 18, 2013 at 12:12 PM
The Feds should adopt Virginia’s governor process.
Can’t serve consecutive terms.
BobMbx on January 18, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Is he talking about prison terms?
If so, I wildly and enthusiastically support it for the current occupant.
If he’s talking about terms in office, I’d have to give it some more thought..no.
Make that HELL NO!
Final answer.
justltl on January 18, 2013 at 12:59 PM
^^This
Best comment I’ve read in a while.
ButterflyDragon on January 18, 2013 at 1:00 PM