"The 22nd Amendment limiting presidents to two terms has both its good and bad aspects. The worst flaw that it automatically turns any president into a lame duck and diminishes his power in his 2nd term.
The president becomes a convenient punching bag for every two-bit reporter and politician looking to score cheap points with his or her constituency, as well as for every three-bit politician who sees him or herself as the next president.
The 22nd happened to come along at the same time as television began training our populace to have shorter and shorter attention spans. So not only does TV overexpose modern presidents to constant publicity and carping from various quarters, but the public becomes tired of the president after around five or six years.
That's why every president since the 22nd was ratified has had a rocky 2nd term. If, at the same time the 22nd Amendment was being proposed and ratified, term limits for senators and representatives were also included, the original balance of power between the two branches would have been maintained."
. . . a commentary so insightful that it merits a second post!!! THANK YOU!
You're welcome, Deb. After he left the presidency and before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, President Reagan tried to get a discussion going about possibly repealing the 22nd Amendment. Many talking heads -- shallow, empty suits that they are -- mockingly said he wanted a third term. But his fundamental premise was and remains sound. I just think the solution is Congressional term limits rather than repealing the 22nd.