If Third Terms Were Constitutional...

[Perotista]

Yes, I was surprised GWB voted in.

I think it was more a dislike of Al Gore than the likability of Bush. Remember Clinton/Gore carried Kentucky, Tennessee, west Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana and Georgia. But Gore lost them all. Perhaps this says something more about Clinton, the founder and member of the DLC, a conservative Democratic Group at the time than Gore. But Gore was viewed back in 2000 more as a northeastern liberal for a lot of his positions on the issues than a conservative of the Democratic Party type. Carrying any one of the six states I mentioned above that Gore and Clinton carried would have propelled Al to the White House.

I suppose the bottom line was Bill Clinton was well liked in the south and respected, Gore wasn't.

 

[TheNextEra]

I don't think that Clinton, Bush or Obama would have won a third term.

And Obama definitely wouldn't, with an average approval rating at ~43% and the 'right track' - 'wrong track' poll numbers at ~29% right track and 61% wrong track.

But I have no problem whatsoever believing you would vote for Obama again.

The problem is you take Obama's approval rating and automatically assume that people would then vote for the GOP. Just because Obama's approval rating is low doesn't mean the GOPs approval rating automatically goes up in the same proportions. And no I didn't vote for Obama in 2012.

 

[shrubnose]

If your aunt was a man s/he would be your auncle.

This is another thread that accomplishes absolutely nothing.

But she's not a man, so she ain't your auncle.

 

[vasuderatorrent]

Almost everyone who voted for Bill twice would have voted for him again, plus a few more. I am sure he would have won...big.

On the flip side, very few who didn't vote for Bush twice already would have voted to give Bush a third term. Judging by the mess he made of things, he might have even lost some of those votes. But, even Bush probably would have held onto about 40% of the vote total--the die hard GOP would have cast ballots for him. However, those who voted for him only once would probably bolt, and no one old enough who didnt vote for Bush in 2000 or 2004 would have voted for him in 2008. So, I suspect Bush would have lost in a landslide.

Would prople vote for Obama a third time? Would he pick up votes or lose them?

I would vote for Barack again. Definitely. But...I'm not sure he holds onto all the other votes he's won. Too bad we passed that amendment. Because now we'll never know.

In 2008 Obama got 365 electoral votes. In 2012 Obama got 332 electoral votes. He lost 33 electoral votes and 2 states.

In 2008 Obama got 69,498,516 votes. In 2012 Obama got 65,915,796 votes. He lost 3,582,720 votes.

Based upon that data alone his popularity seems to be waning. He could win another election but it would be a much tighter race.

 

[calamity]

In 2008 Obama got 365 electoral votes. In 2012 Obama got 332 electoral votes. He lost 33 electoral votes and 2 states.

In 2008 Obama got 69,498,516 votes. In 2012 Obama got 65,915,796 votes. He lost 3,582,720 votes.

Based upon that data alone his popularity seems to be waning. He could win another election but it would be a much tighter race.

That's one reason seeing him run a thrid time would be interesting. I think he'd be in a dogfight...especially against a Rand Paul or Jeb Bush.

 

[calamity]

You think people would have voted for a President impeached on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice? Anyone that would do that would do almost anything.

Few people not on the Right see the impeachment as anything other than a Republican witch hunt.

 

[Lovebug]

Few people not on the Right see the impeachment as anything other than a Republican witch hunt.

I can't speak for people on the right or on the left, but for me its a matter of law. If one breaks the law, one has to answer for it, regardless of popularity, political leanings or good deeds. POTUS should lead by example and should be held responsible for his/her actions.
Its sad that we can't agree on that, but rather find excuses for those on OUR side, even though that side should be the American side, not the left, right or whatever may be in between. Only if we get off our left or right high horses and call a spade a spade will we actually be able to move forward on those issues that should concern ALL of us, not just this or that side or whether one has enough support to circumvent the law and would thusly be considered for another term

 

[calamity]

I seen polls, I look for them to post, that suggests that of those that voted for Obama in 2012, about 79% would vote for him again.

Polls today may show the public's fustration with Obama and other politicians, but I don't know if that would translate in not voting for.

What we'd see, IMO, is repeat what happened in 2012, where a lot of those who voted for Obama in 2008 simply did not vote or voted third party. He'd probably lose a few million more votes in a third term, which might be just enough to allow someone else to win.

 

[calamity]

I can't speak for people on the right or on the left, but for me its a matter of law. If one breaks the law, one has to answer for it, regardless of popularity, political leanings or good deeds. POTUS should lead by example and should be held responsible for his/her actions.
Its sad that we can't agree on that, but rather find excuses for those on OUR side, even though that side should be the American side, not the left, right or whatever may be in between. Only if we get off our left or right high horses and call a spade a spade will we actually be able to move forward on those issues that should concern ALL of us, not just this or that side or whether one has enough support to circumvent the law and would thusly be considered for another term

The GOP lost seats in the 1998 election because of the impeachment debacle. Clinton's approval rating soared after impeachment. He left the presidency with an amazingly high approval rating.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/116584/presidential-approval-ratings-bill-clinton.aspx
If he ran again, he'd have won at least 40 states, be it against McCain or Bush.

 

[jonny5]

Obama would have clearly beaten Bush going for a third term, because people eat up that 'change' BS and Obama is black (and white), not to mention Rs were fed up with Bush too. Obama is perfectly willing to buy votes with promises and handouts. I think Obama would have a hard time winning a third term though depending on who the Rs put up. He lost popular votes between 2008 and 2012. The trend would likely continue.

 

[calamity]

If your aunt was a man s/he would be your auncle.




This is another thread that accomplishes absolutely nothing.

Are there threads that accomplish absolutely something?

 

[Lovebug]

What we'd see, IMO, is repeat what happened in 2012, where a lot of those who voted for Obama in 2008 simply did not vote or voted third party. He'd probably lose a few million more votes in a third term, which might be just enough to allow someone else to win.

That may just be true, but we shouldn't dismiss the fact that neither McCain nor Romney were very palatable candidates.

The GOP lost seats in the 1998 election because of the impeachment debacle. Clinton's approval rating soared after impeachment. He left the presidency with an amazingly high approval rating.
Presidential Approval Ratings -- Bill Clinton | Gallup Historical Trends
If he ran again, he'd have won at least 40 states, be it against McCain or Bush.

So that confirms what I said, people don't care much about the law. Law breakers on either side should be done away with, regardless of popularity.

 

[Respecthelect]

Obama would clobber anyone in the field. Why? Because the herd likes kings. Because Obama is the more eloquent speaker. Because Obama uses the power of government to silence his opponents.

Obama got away with charging most conservative donors with EPA crimes or IRS crimes, etc. Virtually every Republican donor in the country is fending off the government in one way or another. Meanwhile, liberal Democrats roam freely. Sure there was a mild outcry, but not one indictment. Not one conviction. Using government enforcement agencies to arrest opponents just became legal and accepted by the American public.

Not only would Obama crush any opponent, but whoever Democrats nominate will inherit that powerful machine. Making them virtually unstoppable. Is it fair? That's not a question America asks anymore. The only question is, "can we back the winner and be in good graces with his (or her) majesty?"

.

 

[shrubnose]

Are there threads that accomplish absolutely something?

I would have to do some research on that, I don't know of any offhand.

If you know of any, please post a link.

 

[calamity]

That may just be true, but we shouldn't dismiss the fact that neither McCain nor Romney were very palatable candidates.


So that confirms what I said, people don't care much about the law. Law breakers on either side should be done away with, regardless of popularity.

The lew depends very much on popular opinion--12 jurors. So, I think the jury spoke when it kicked out Newt Gingrich and his crew, throwing even more support behind Clinton.

 

[The Man]

Almost everyone who voted for Bill twice would have voted for him again, plus a few more. I am sure he would have won...big.

On the flip side, very few who didn't vote for Bush twice already would have voted to give Bush a third term. Judging by the mess he made of things, he might have even lost some of those votes. But, even Bush probably would have held onto about 40% of the vote total--the die hard GOP would have cast ballots for him. However, those who voted for him only once would probably bolt, and no one old enough who didnt vote for Bush in 2000 or 2004 would have voted for him in 2008. So, I suspect Bush would have lost in a landslide.

Would prople vote for Obama a third time? Would he pick up votes or lose them?

I would vote for Barack again. Definitely. But...I'm not sure he holds onto all the other votes he's won. Too bad we passed that amendment. Because now we'll never know.

Barack Obama vs. John McCain in '08, two AWFUL candidates, I guarantee Bush would have won a third term, and I hate Bush.

 

[Lovebug]

The lew depends very much on popular opinion--12 jurors. So, I think the jury spoke when it kicked out Newt Gingrich and his crew, throwing even more support behind Clinton.

You have to remind me which law Gingrich broke.

 

[Respecthelect]

You have to remind me which law Gingrich broke.

Gingrich was one of the first to be charged with opposing Democrats. Opposing Democrats is now one of the most common crimes, faced by millions of Republican's. Especially donors. It normally doesn't involve jail time, ...yet. As long as the perpetrator shuts-up and spends his time fending off government pestering. If the Republican persists, jail time is mandatory - ask Tom Delay?

.

 

[SmokeAndMirrors]

Almost everyone who voted for Bill twice would have voted for him again, plus a few more. I am sure he would have won...big.

On the flip side, very few who didn't vote for Bush twice already would have voted to give Bush a third term. Judging by the mess he made of things, he might have even lost some of those votes. But, even Bush probably would have held onto about 40% of the vote total--the die hard GOP would have cast ballots for him. However, those who voted for him only once would probably bolt, and no one old enough who didnt vote for Bush in 2000 or 2004 would have voted for him in 2008. So, I suspect Bush would have lost in a landslide.

Would prople vote for Obama a third time? Would he pick up votes or lose them?

I would vote for Barack again. Definitely. But...I'm not sure he holds onto all the other votes he's won. Too bad we passed that amendment. Because now we'll never know.

Well, it sort of depends.

The main reason I voted for Obama in 2012 is not exactly a stunning endorsement of him. It was basically because anything I was against that Obama would or had done was also something Romney would do just as much if not more, and Romney would also do other things I'm against, which Obama would not.

It was a "lesser of evils" vote. There was nothing to gain by voting for him, but there was something to lose.

Obama is not going to be one of our greats. He's very much a politician, and he's not even a particularly progressive one. Obama is certainly not the "commie" a lot of people are accusing him of being, so I am not critiquing him from the stance of the right-wing rhetoric. I find him very disrespectful towards the people's privacy rights, and his commitment to focusing on the home turf is nothing but talk. He has a strong imperialist streak in him.

He hasn't done terribly as far as the economy is concerned, but he also hasn't done anywhere near enough. To some extent, to fix the economy, some stuff needs to be put back in place that Congress simply cannot pass at this time, being the pathetic waste of space that it is, but Obama didn't go far enough by a long shot.

He also hasn't defended progressive causes very much. He hasn't degraded them, I suppose, but he hasn't really fought for them the way he said he would either. Maybe a little in his first term, but not since then.

He's too caught up in wanting to be popular by letting small issues sideline him and then taking the safe road, he's not committed enough to the principles of the country, and he doesn't have a progressive way of thinking about foreign relations -- in fact he's quite reckless. By 2012, there was really not much reason to vote for him other than the fact that Romney would be just as bad on most metrics, and infinitely worse on others.

In a vacuum, asking the question of whether I'd vote for Obama again simply based on whether I like how he's done the job, the answer is no.

And I belong to one of his target voter bases: young progressive women. So that should tell you something.

I don't buy all this red versus blue ****. Obama is just another American politician. And that's an insult.

 

[radioman]

Obama is just another American politician. And that's an insult.

Yeah.
After awhile people get tired of listening to any prez.
Unless there's a major crisis, their speeches become incessant droning.
Background noise.
Two terms is plenty.
That being said, depending on the opponent, 3rd terms could occur.
Thankfully, they're not allowed.

 

[radioman]

Barack Obama vs. John McCain in '08, two AWFUL candidates, I guarantee Bush would have won a third term, and I hate Bush.

I disagree with you on this.
McCain lost because his potential election was perceived as Bush's 3rd term.
I doubt any Repub could have won in 2000.

 

[SmokeAndMirrors]

I disagree with you on this.
McCain lost because his potential election was perceived as Bush's 3rd term.
I doubt any Repub could have won in 2000.

Yeah, I agree. It's pretty fanciful to believe Bush could have won anything at all, given what his approval rating was and what a mess he left in his wake. Even most conservatives had given up on him. He would have lost to a tree stump.

 

[radioman]

He would have lost to a tree stump.

That's because the tree stump would have been much more articulate.

 

[Beaudreaux]

The problem is you take Obama's approval rating and automatically assume that people would then vote for the GOP. Just because Obama's approval rating is low doesn't mean the GOPs approval rating automatically goes up in the same proportions. And no I didn't vote for Obama in 2012.

I wasn't assuming anything. I was stating what the polls stated, and from that, you can presume that many of the ones that voted for him last time may not the next time. Whether that means staying home or voting GOP is not relevant. Either way, he would more than likely not get enough votes to win. Especially as motivated as the GOP and independents are to get him out of office. The same would have happened to Bush in this threads scenario.

That's all I was saying.

 

[VanceMack]

Do you think the average American life was better back then .....the answer is a resounding YES!!
Bush came in and destroyed not only America ......but Iraq as well. Obama would need 100% corporation from the right wing to fix the economy in 2 terms ....he didn't get it and thus we have what we have today.
The cameras are gone ...but Iraq today is still in a semi-war mode. They lost a generation during the time Americans were there ....now they are losing a second generation. A country with the most educated people in the region will have raised 2 generations that won't even have an high school education.

You guys took Bill Clinton bull-crap and want to make it seem like it's the end of the world ..... how many right wing senators caught with their pants down have you hypocrites ran out and support since Bill Clinton?

Would you vote for a man accused of raping a woman, cheating on his wife countless times, encouraging others to lie under oath, sexual assault of an office worker on the day of her husbands funeral, and who acknowledged the charge of sexually harassing a campaign staff worker by masturbating in front of her and then asking her to kiss his dick?