Nikki Haley says the United States is ready to move beyond “the stale ideas and faded names of the past,” and embrace a “new generation” of leadership. The newest Republican presidential contender is reinventing herself as a forward-looking populist. So what big, bright, innovative notions has Haley brought the people? As far as I can tell, two — neither of which has any chance of coming to fruition.

“In the America I see, the permanent politician will finally retire,” Haley explained. “We’ll have term limits for Congress. And mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old.” Term limits were already around in the Roman republic and Athenian democracy. These days, it’s a cheap way to tap into voter anger at the political class.

[I agree with Harsanyi on all counts here, but I’ll add another. In order to impose either of those policies, you’d have to amend the Constitution. And if Haley wants to do that, she should be running for Congress, not President. Presidents have no formal role in amending the Constitution, either on the congressional track or through an Article V convention of states. Maybe she should focus on policies that relate to the office she’s seeking. — Ed]