Here is a new way for candidates to run for POTUS, maybe even an orginal.

[CK_John]

Two candidates sign a contract to run as a pair and agree on which will be president for the first two yrs. and which one will be VP.

Then after 2 yrs the president resigns and the other is elevated to president.

Also both agree not to run for a 2nd term unless they have a new contract as a pair.

I'm not sure if this should be made public, I would leave it to the candidates.

[enlightenment]

1. Why?

And how is this related to our system, as described by the Constitution?

[CK_John]

2. Why not? You're just voting for electors and where does it breach the constitution?

[enlightenment]

4. Article II. Section 1.

Which explicates both the period of time that a President will hold office in an elected term (4 years) and the process by which a President shall be replaced during that elected term, if necessary, because of removal, death, inability to discharge duties, or resignation.

What you are suggesting is completely counter to that process, and unconstitutional on its face - and the secret contract aspect is disgusting. Yes, our system is flawed, but how does turning it into a back-room deal make it better?

[CK_John]

9. I note they can resign, Nixon broke that wide open. That article seems only to cover the time h

after they are elected and not how they get elected by the electoral college.

[enlightenment]

11. You are conflating two different things.

Your idea is that two people decide to run as president/v. president, having made an agreement (in secret) that, should they be elected, halfway through the term of the president they would switch places.

That has nothing to do with the electoral college.

Yes, electors are the official mechanism by which the president and his/her running mate are elected - but officially their job is only to confirm the majority vote of their state. They don't decide what the presidential term of office is, nor how the president is replaced - if necessary.

As far as Nixon resigning - he didn't "break anything wide open". He took an avenue afforded by Article II - and his successor was chosen by that same mechanism.

[CK_John]

12. Nixon had no VP and Congress selected Ford.

[enlightenment]

14. Agnew resigned.

And the succession was handled under the provisions of the 25th amendment (ratified 1967)

Which updates the provisions established in Article II. The bolded sections define what happened. First section 2 and then section 1.

Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

This is getting slightly tiresome - and still has nothing to do with your original proposal.

[pinboy3niner]

15. Nixon nominated Ford and both houses of Congress confirmed (not "selected") him. nt

[CK_John]

16. So Ford got both jobs without ever being elected. I forgot about that.

[Squinch]

3. What is the benefit of that? For anyone?

[onenote]

5. The contract would be unenforceable

Void as against public policy. Of course the candidates could agree to such an arrangement without a contract. But if it ever became public, the outcry would mean it would never happen again.

[Not Me]

6. Don't mention this to Sarah Palin

...two years is appealing to her.

[pinboy3niner]

8. In what respect, Charlie?

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[FSogol]

7. Sitcomitis

Sitcomitis is the belief that everything can be wrapped up neatly in 30 minutes with no lose ends, just like in fictional situational comedy and other tv shows. It is the perfect affliction for today's ADHD world.

Unfortunately, in the real world, nothing wraps up neatly or completely. The long drawn out process we have is better than what you propose. It allows info on the candidate and how the candidate reacts to challenges to unfold slowly and to evolve.



A better system would be to follow Jefferson's proposal of a single 6 year term. That way the President wouldn't waste time on reelection.

[CK_John]

10. Sort of a permanent lamb duck, I'm not sure about that. Maybe repeal the term limit

or up it to 4 terms. Plus it's raining and I can't ride my trike.

[Proud Public Servant]

13. Is that like turducken?