Comments on: My Capitol Visit and Up-Close Observations During FISA Votes http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/ Sun, 27 May 2012 09:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Linda K http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-460508 Linda K Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:14:48 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-460508 I agree, I don't see it at all either. I agree, I don’t see it at all either.

]]> By: JozefAL http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-460466 JozefAL Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:37:11 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-460466 For starters, the two-term (10-year total) limit on Presidents was done for (not surprisingly) POLITICAL reasons. After the GOP took control of the House and Senate in the 1946 elections, their first order of business was what became the 22nd Amendment (it passed Congress on March 21, 1947--11 weeks TO THE DAY that the 80th Congress was seated). The GOP had made some fairly impressive gains in the 1938 off-year elections and had the potential to pick up even more (if not gain control of Congress) in 1940, but the FDR "ruined" their hopes by running for an unprecedented 3rd term (the GOP did add 5 more Senate seats--on top of 6 won in 1938--but lost 7 in the House, after having picked up <strong>80</strong> in 1938*), and many in the GOP remained bitter about FDR's decision (there was general discontent in the GOP over FDR's decision in 1944 to run for a 4th term but since the country was at war, it seemed very unlikely that the President's own party would change horses, so to speak). The proposed Amendment took into consideration reality. Truman had become President upon FDR's death (note--at this time, there was nothing that had firmly established the order of Presidential succession; a VP ascended only as "acting" President but this was only based on standard Parliamentary procedure) and served out FDR's term before running for his own term in 1948. The Amendment had been sent to the states at this point but had only been ratified by 21 (of the 36 necessary) by the 1948 election. New York had been the 21st on 3/9/48 but the 22nd state to ratify, South Dakota, didn't do so until after Truman's inauguration--the day after, in fact, 1/21/49. By the end of 1950, only 2 more states had ratified the Amendment. Then came 1951 when, in just over a month--from Jan 25 to Feb 27--12 states ratified the Amendment, and the Amendment was added to the Constitution. Under the wording of the Amendment, Truman (if he wanted) could have run for another term (technically, Truman could have run as many times as he wanted) but he chose not to run, largely due to the Korean War's "stalemate" (that's not the word I want, but I've drawn a blank as to a better term). The way the Amendment works, if a President has to leave office (for whatever reason) and the VP assumes the office, the new President faces a limitation on his time in office. If he serves as President for two years or less before an election, he may serve for two more terms; if he's served more than two years (even if just by one day), he may serve only one more term. The reason is that Amendment 22 limits the President to a total of 10 years in office (in the first situation you have a 2 years or less term + a 4 year term + a 4 year term; the second situation presents a 2 year plus term + a 4 year term, which means another 4-year term would exceed 10 years total). Now, for Congress to be subjected to term limits, the Congress has to propose an amendment and then it has to pass both houses and then be sent to the States. That last part is the easy part. The first part isn't that difficult but the "pass both houses" is where we run into trouble. (Even the wording could pose a problem since many members of Congress move from one House to the other during their career. Too few years total would definitely kill it while a limit on total time in each House without an overall limit wouldn't make much for any real change.) *Going into the 1938 election, the GOP had only 89 seats in the House and a mere 17 in the Senate. For starters, the two-term (10-year total) limit on Presidents was done for (not surprisingly) POLITICAL reasons. After the GOP took control of the House and Senate in the 1946 elections, their first order of business was what became the 22nd Amendment (it passed Congress on March 21, 1947–11 weeks TO THE DAY that the 80th Congress was seated). The GOP had made some fairly impressive gains in the 1938 off-year elections and had the potential to pick up even more (if not gain control of Congress) in 1940, but the FDR “ruined” their hopes by running for an unprecedented 3rd term (the GOP did add 5 more Senate seats–on top of 6 won in 1938–but lost 7 in the House, after having picked up 80 in 1938*), and many in the GOP remained bitter about FDR’s decision (there was general discontent in the GOP over FDR’s decision in 1944 to run for a 4th term but since the country was at war, it seemed very unlikely that the President’s own party would change horses, so to speak).
The proposed Amendment took into consideration reality. Truman had become President upon FDR’s death (note–at this time, there was nothing that had firmly established the order of Presidential succession; a VP ascended only as “acting” President but this was only based on standard Parliamentary procedure) and served out FDR’s term before running for his own term in 1948. The Amendment had been sent to the states at this point but had only been ratified by 21 (of the 36 necessary) by the 1948 election. New York had been the 21st on 3/9/48 but the 22nd state to ratify, South Dakota, didn’t do so until after Truman’s inauguration–the day after, in fact, 1/21/49. By the end of 1950, only 2 more states had ratified the Amendment. Then came 1951 when, in just over a month–from Jan 25 to Feb 27–12 states ratified the Amendment, and the Amendment was added to the Constitution.
Under the wording of the Amendment, Truman (if he wanted) could have run for another term (technically, Truman could have run as many times as he wanted) but he chose not to run, largely due to the Korean War’s “stalemate” (that’s not the word I want, but I’ve drawn a blank as to a better term).
The way the Amendment works, if a President has to leave office (for whatever reason) and the VP assumes the office, the new President faces a limitation on his time in office. If he serves as President for two years or less before an election, he may serve for two more terms; if he’s served more than two years (even if just by one day), he may serve only one more term. The reason is that Amendment 22 limits the President to a total of 10 years in office (in the first situation you have a 2 years or less term + a 4 year term + a 4 year term; the second situation presents a 2 year plus term + a 4 year term, which means another 4-year term would exceed 10 years total).
Now, for Congress to be subjected to term limits, the Congress has to propose an amendment and then it has to pass both houses and then be sent to the States. That last part is the easy part. The first part isn’t that difficult but the “pass both houses” is where we run into trouble. (Even the wording could pose a problem since many members of Congress move from one House to the other during their career. Too few years total would definitely kill it while a limit on total time in each House without an overall limit wouldn’t make much for any real change.)

*Going into the 1938 election, the GOP had only 89 seats in the House and a mere 17 in the Senate.

]]> By: belltoll http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-460276 belltoll Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:19:38 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-460276 I still strongly believe we must put term limits on these career politicians. A president can only serve two terms. Why do these folks get a forty or fifty year free ride? I know they must be relected, but doesn't a twenty, thirty, or even forty year legislative posittion invite corruption? I still strongly believe we must put term limits on these career politicians. A president can only serve two terms. Why do these folks get a forty or fifty year free ride? I know they must be relected, but doesn’t a twenty, thirty, or even forty year legislative posittion invite corruption?

]]> By: Mary Kay http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-459686 Mary Kay Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:52:51 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-459686 Wow... just... wow... Wow… just… wow…

]]> By: fif http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-459203 fif Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:50:04 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-459203 Thanks for the bird's eye view. The only thing I did not agree with: The gallery visitors were mostly silent until Sen. Barack Obama entered. Incidentally, he’s as handsome in person as on TV. I just do not see it. Not my type at all. And now, after all that's happened (and continues to happen), I can't stand to look at him. Thanks for the bird’s eye view. The only thing I did not agree with:

The gallery visitors were mostly silent until Sen. Barack Obama entered. Incidentally, he’s as handsome in person as on TV.

I just do not see it. Not my type at all. And now, after all that’s happened (and continues to happen), I can’t stand to look at him.

]]> By: socalannie http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-459106 socalannie Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:14:17 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-459106 LMAO! LMAO!

]]> By: Deb Cupples http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458978 Deb Cupples Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:29:36 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458978 All you have to do is ask your senator's staff for gallery passes. All you have to do is ask your senator’s staff for gallery passes.

]]> By: Deb Cupples http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458973 Deb Cupples Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:28:24 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458973 Actually, one doesn't chew nicorette like normal gum. One tucks it between the cheek and gum and occasionally bites into it. Actually, one doesn’t chew nicorette like normal gum. One tucks it between the cheek and gum and occasionally bites into it.

]]> By: Sassy http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458914 Sassy Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:10:24 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458914 I did watch the Senate quite often...not now, for I'm not fond of many of them at the moment. It took me a while to understand their procedures, cloture votes etc., but I did learn a lot in the past. Senator Leahy really shocked me with his attitude toward Senator Clinton...I have watched him often in the Judiciary committee and I thought he was a statesman. They do have a great deal of "dead" time on the floor...hope they really are working in their offices! I did watch the Senate quite often…not now, for I’m not fond of many of them at the moment. It took me a while to understand their procedures, cloture votes etc., but I did learn a lot in the past. Senator Leahy really shocked me with his attitude toward Senator Clinton…I have watched him often in the Judiciary committee and I thought he was a statesman. They do have a great deal of “dead” time on the floor…hope they really are working in their offices!

]]> By: Dawnelle http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458754 Dawnelle Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:20:24 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458754 I watch them on cspan quite often. Like a bird on a wire (feels like) LOL Leahy - BIG GROWL!! this Puma would like to <em>claw swat</em> that traitor out da door! I watch them on cspan quite often. Like a bird on a wire (feels like) LOL

Leahy – BIG GROWL!! this Puma would like to claw swat that traitor out da door!

]]> By: ginaswo still says no Uhhbama http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458437 ginaswo still says no Uhhbama Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:22:41 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458437 I am equally nerdy if watching CSPAN avidly is nerdy!! I love it, I would really love to see it in person!! I am equally nerdy if watching CSPAN avidly is nerdy!!
I love it, I would really love to see it in person!!

]]> By: ginaswo still says no Uhhbama http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458433 ginaswo still says no Uhhbama Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:21:43 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458433 ROTFL!!! ROTFL!!!

]]> By: DoroB http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458401 DoroB Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:16:09 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458401 Hillary couldn't have been too thrilled that Obama was voting for FISA. He probably disappoints her everyday. Hillary couldn’t have been too thrilled that Obama was voting for FISA. He probably disappoints her everyday.

]]> By: fooj http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458341 fooj Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:06:58 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458341 Thanks so much for sharing your observations. These bloviating idiots disgust me. Wonder when they finally decide that it's time to do THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE? Grrrrrrr... Thanks so much for sharing your observations.

These bloviating idiots disgust me. Wonder when they finally decide that it’s time to do THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE? Grrrrrrr…

]]> By: kat in your hat http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/3557/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458302 kat in your hat Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:01:31 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/14/my-capitol-visit-and-up-close-observations-during-fisa-votes/#comment-458302 Can you say Hypocrite? Democrats Look to Lobbyist to Finance Convention: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/us/politics/14convention.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin Can you say Hypocrite?

Democrats Look to Lobbyist to Finance Convention:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/us/politics/14convention.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin

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