Comments on: One Term and Done?

By: Ben Keeler

Ben Keeler — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:58:48 +0000

Rev – you wrote – "But think about it. McCain is down 5-10 points and he announces he'll only stay one term, if elected? And that won't simply be dismissed as desperation?"

I wrote – "Nearing the end of two very long and polarizing administrations, people might see this as a breath of fresh air. But it is something he has to do before (if) he falls too far behind, because doing it then makes him look desperate."

So yeah we're on the same page here. I think it is a move that can be effective, but he cant do it when things look dismal for him, or people will see right through it.

By: Ben Keeler

Ben Keeler — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:48:55 +0000

Yes I was playing my new Wii. You should see how good I am getting.

By: nickels macgee

nickels macgee — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:29:51 +0000

You took a half day off work? What work? To do what? Play Mario Kart?

By: Ben Keeler

Ben Keeler — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:13:51 +0000

I took a half day off work today and thought about this idea. The more I think about it, the more I like it.

In other news, today I met with David Potter, who is running against Betty Sutton in OH-13. More on Potter and his efforts next week.

By: The Reverend

The Reverend — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:39:51 +0000

"FDR did a lot of lasting harm to our country"

Was it the "lasting harm" he did by his successful CinC work of leading America to win WW2?

Or was it the "lasting harm" of leading our country out of the economic cesspool left by Republicans?

Or…is it the "lasting harm" of FDIC guarantees,…..perhaps the "lasting harm" was the most popular government program of all time…Social Security?

You want "lasting harm"? Look no further than the 43rd president.

By: largebill

largebill — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:52:42 +0000

I think many of us are only expecting one term, but it would be stupid for him to make a pledge or give any indication of a one term intention any earlier than he has to. One thing this primary cycle has shown on both sides is the process is starting way too early. In 1968, LBJ didn't announce that he wasn't running until 31 March. By the end of March this election cycle we were down to 3 or 4 candidates.

Separately, ignore what you think about President Bush and just think about future presidents as they become lame ducks earlier and earlier. It obviously is not good for the country. In fact while I don't want presidents serving more than two terms, the 25th Amendment is seriously flawed in precluding a president from running for a third term. FDR did a lot of lasting harm to our country with his social policies and I understand the desire at that time to ensure we would not have another president for life like like him. However, it was shortsighted to pass that amendment. Term limits should be controlled at the ballot box.

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:35:41 +0000

Kyle – I don't think that is the case at all. Most policies a president pushes should be long term solutions w/the obvious exceptions of emergency needs. This should be true regardless of how long they have left to serve – be it four years, seven years, or two months. You win arguments for long-term solutions typically based on some kind of merit, not just because you may still be in office 6 years later to see that it is working.

It is your line of thinking here that ruins both good public policy and good business – the idea that "this can only work with me running it and can only work this way". Good policy, like good business, should work because it is better than the alternative, not because of whatever puppet is sitting next to a red phone.

By: Alex H

Alex H — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:14:17 +0000

The positives outweigh the negatives by a lot here. Democrats should be fearful of this.

By: Kyle Kutuchief

Kyle Kutuchief — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:59:46 +0000

It would be bad strategy for McCain to say he would only be a one term President, so I hope he does it. All of his policy proposals would have to be quick fixes because he only has four years. It would hurt his ability to argue long term solutions. It would also shine the spotlight on the age issue again.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:01:12 +0000

Interesting story. I would roll back some of my talk about him being a pure opportunist, which has been apparent from all his flip-flopping in the past few years.

By: The Reverend

The Reverend — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:51:46 +0000

I've seen this ploy tossed around…and I don't think it matters, really.

If McCain says he will only stay four years, if elected, I can think of two immediate responses…

1-He is too old, he knows it and he's trying to reassure Americans he won't become like Ronnie. That's not a positive.

2-If McCain pledges only one term….the lines will be even more clearly drawn that his presidency is the third term of Bush. That's what I think. Also not a positive.

And Ben…I give you much credit for trying your best to be an honest Republican. I still believe that you and Kyle are great new area politicos to be ….or whatever you want to be…

But think about it. McCain is down 5-10 points and he announces he'll only stay one term, if elected? And that won't simply be dismissed as desperation?

I have a piece of Reverend advice….and I know….I hate advice too….when you say stuff like, "he wants to finish off the success of the surge in Iraq."…..I think, you lose credibility. Why not review the entire Iraq event again this summer? New Republican leaders will have to come to grips with the reality of Iraq, the pre 9-11 plan to invade, the propaganda of the run-up, the cherry picking, the 16 words, etc. Get on the right side of history before the other young GOP'ers-to-be do. It's the way forward, I think.

And please….I'm not being condescending. I'm only condescending to people I don't like.

By: tom billmeyer

tom billmeyer — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:04:29 +0000

People aren't dumb enough to fall for this smoke screen.

So I say to the GOP – do it!