My (probably) unpopular opinion: 22nd Amendment (term limits for Presidents) should be repealed

[Polybius]

I wish that the 22nd Amendment (term limits for Presidents) never happened, and I would love to repeal it. This has mostly hurt Democrats. Since being enacted in 1951, let's look at the Presidents that might have ran and possibly won a third term:

1) Dwight Eisenhower in 1960. OK, I'll give you that one, this is the only instance where the 22nd plays in our favor. Ike would almost certainly have won in 1960.

2) Reagan in 1988. Meh, we got Bush I anyway, so I see this as a push. Would the Iraq War have happened? Would Saddam have attacked Kuwait? Would Reagan have even ran, since he was really feeling the affects of Alzheimer's at this point?

3) Bill Clinton, 2000. He was very popular, still young (54), and a much better speaker and campaigner than Al Gore. 80% chance he beats W. Maybe greater.

4) George W. Bush, 2008. I'm not convinced that W runs in 2008, despite being not old and in great shape (62). His popularity was in the toilet at this point, the economy was in the tank, and he had no loyal Republican fan base. He likely loses by a wider margin than McCain.

5) Barack Obama, 2016. Being very popular and still young (55), he would absolutely crush Trump. This seals the deal for its repeal.

Alternate timelines (just to make it more interesting):

6) JFK 1968, had he not been killed

7) Richard Nixon in 1976, had there been no Watergate

What are your opinions on this?

[randr]

1. I would like to see a one time 6 year term

with a vote of confidence after 4 years. If vote is not in favor of holding office and new race occurs.

[jimfields33]

7. I've always like the one six year term

[Cuthbert Allgood]

12. That messes up the symmetry of the terms in the two (three) branches.

The House completely turns over, potentially, every 2 years.
The President can change every 4 years.
The Senate, with the 6 year terms, is the least likely to change of the three branches.
The SCOTUS slows everything down with lifetime appointment.

Moving the President to 6 year makes it as equally slow as the Senate and gives no middle range responsiveness to the 2 branches.

[Xipe Totec]

15. ++

[Demsrule86]

19. No...that would not work with out constitution.

[doc03]

2. If tfg gets elected again you can bet that will

be changed.

[Elessar Zappa]

4. Maybe, maybe not.

It takes a lot to repeal a constitutional amendment. 2/3 of states, I believe.

[Polybius]

9. I doubt it

He'll be 82 in 2028.

[Elessar Zappa]

3. Yes, I'm in favor of repealing it.

[Chainfire]

5. I think that 8 years is plenty for anyone.

If they get too entrenched they begin to feel entitled...It took Trump less than a year.

[PortTack]

6. I fear a gqp/RWNJ would pull out even more crazy lies, cheating and dirty money to hold power

[alphafemale]

8. No I don't want Presidents for life/Dictators

Shaking head

[Polybius]

10. But Obama for three terms is better than Trump in 2016

I'm sure we'll all agree.

[alphafemale]

17. NO!

No dictators.

[Fiendish Thingy]

11. Even with the fantasy of a 3rd Obama term, I say no way. Nt

[Oneironaut]

13. The only problem is, that's how you get a de facto dictator, e.g. Putin.

My argument is, term limits make the focus ideals instead of the same two people running against each other every election cycle. In that situation, it’a too easy for cults of personality to form.

I would even argue that the term limit should be four years in office for the Presidency, and then, you’re done.

[Polybius]

14. Since 1951, there have been zero Republicans who could have ran for 4 terms

Ike was 70 in 1960. His 4th term he would have been 74, way too old for back then.

Reagan was very sick by the end of 1992. No way does he run for a third term.

Now, could Bill Clinton have run 4 terms? Could Obama have been in his 4th term right now? Sure, and I don't see anything wrong with that. Unlike with Putin, our elections are not rigged.

[Metaphorical]

16. Not term limits per se for SCOTUS, but appointments

This would be similar to what happens now with the FED - every six years, the office would be vacated and the president would either have to reappoint the judge or nominate a new judge. This holds to the spirit of the constitution, in that a judge could stay in residence until they die or retire, but it also provides a mechanism to keep balance in the court.

Regarding Presidential term limits: no. Term limits provide a hard check against corruption, and they force re-evaluation of direction.

[WarGamer]

18. No complaints from me if Obama were still POTUS...

You wait a lifetime for a politician... 8 years isn't enough.