Review Of A More Perfect Constitution By Sabato

In chapter 2 of his book A More Perfect Constitution, Sabato addresses his problems with the current operations of the United States Presidency. He begins by talking about the growing power that the Presidency has despite its position behind Congress in the Constitution and how the reality of modern wartime decisions has increased the need for a single executive commander. After this, Sabato continues to talk about the many issues that the people of America have with the presidency, mentioning their own personal shortfalls along with a few constitutional imperfections in office. As examples, Sabato brings up how many presidents have started wars without asking Congress and reserve the right to start war whether Congress agreed. Additionally,

However, with a weak executive, the country had a very powerless government. Sabato describes how the country required a strong, unifying leader – specifically George Washington. This status of unifying leader continued until the twentieth century, where many wars required the president to make many important decisions and be at the front of attention for most Americans. Although this “imperial presidency” took a dip for a while with Nixon, Ford, and Carter, the presidency once again gained power with Reagan and the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Because of this, Sabato reinforces the fact that the Presidency has gained much more power than initially envisioned and should be

He begins by explaining the background of the two-year term. Initially, the president was elected by the elite Electoral College, while senators were chosen by state legislators. However, a few states began offering popular elections for members of the electoral college, which initially had no overall affect. However, due to the population’s reaction to this, choosing electors and other public officials at polling places became the dominant method of choosing officials. Starting in 1968, many of the states started conducting their own primaries to select delegates. Because of this, the entire fourth year of each president’s term ends up devoted to reelection, instead of helping the country. Sabato continues to explain that reelection takes far more than a single year, rather taking up nearly half of a president’s term. Sabato shows how this drains the president’s willingness to do things for their governmental wisdom, instead sticking to policy choices that will cause reelection. Additionally, Sabato talks about the two-term limit and how until Roosevelt, all presidents followed the example of George Washington by sticking to only serving two terms. After the twenty-second amendment, all presidents were limited to only two terms. Because of these multiple terms, a president’s term in office only lasts for two years before reelection politics begin. After being reelected, the president’s influence only lasts for