If ItWere Possible would Clinton Have got A 3rd Term?

[SlickWilly]

If it were constitutionally possible would he have won a third presidential term in 2000 and how would it have turned out? Also given that their relationship seemed to have substantially turned south would Gore be his running mate? I remember at the time somebody speculating, that the US constitutional ban on a third term, was restricted only to 3 consecutive terms as president! Given his accomplished devilment with language and general trickery I'm sure if he saw a glimmer of a chance that it was constitutionally possible ie for a non consecutive 3rd term, he would have chanced going for it, if he could persuade Hillary to step aside!
BTW if I had been entitled to vote, I would have voted for my name sake each and every time!

[Derek Jackson]

Even without the 22nd Amendment there would still be custom. Not many people thought that Clinton was in the FDR class nor the problems America and the World faced in 2000 on the scale of 1940

[The Oncoming Storm]

I think the polls showed he would have easily beaten Bush, but even if could have stood would he? I can't remember what it was he had developed but he had some heart condition, also he was probably tired of office after the Lewinsky Affair and probably couldn't wait to get out.

[Peelitebkearns]

Yes, I think Clinton would be in for another term if it were possible-and if everything up to that point went as it did in OTL. That doesn't mean his reelection would be a sure thing-as stated above, Clinton wasn't FDR and 2000 wasn't a rerun of 1940. He likely gets primaried, but as the encumbent he'd most likely win.

The Third term issue would still come up in the general, but as Bush (or whoever he faces) won't want to write off a third term if they were to win, they probably won't directly critesise Clinton for running for a third term.

In the end, the economy helps Clinton to beat Bush in a fairly close race.

As for the question about Gore, I think it's unlikely he'd run for a third term with Clinton. That said, I do wonder whether Gore would even want to be Clinton's running mate in 1992 if Clinton could run for a third term.

[Paul V McNutt]

He was popular but there was Clinton fatigue. If he wins Hillary probably is still victorious. t The first lady would be in the Senste.

[Paul V McNutt]

Clinton would have been more aler than George W Bush. Maybe he Coukd have prevented 9/11. The big question would be his health OTL he missed the 2004 election because of massive heart surgery.

[Plumber]

No, Hillary wouldn't have it.

[Paul V McNutt]

Originally Posted by Plumber

No, Hillary wouldn't have it.

I agree. I believe that getting rid of the 22nd amendment would be a POD that changes nothing. I don't Ike with his health concerns would risk another four years in the White House. Nancy Reagan Thought two terms was enough. If George W Bush was stupid enough to run he loses in a landslide.

[freethinker]

Originally Posted by Paul V McNutt

I agree. I believe that getting rid of the 22nd amendment would be a POD that changes nothing. I don't Ike with his health concerns would risk another four years in the White House. Nancy Reagan Thought two terms was enough. If George W Bush was stupid enough to run he loses in a landslide.

George Bush running for a third term, would still be a good T.L in my opinion,

[MrHuman]

Originally Posted by freethinker

George Bush running for a third term, would still be a good T.L in my opinion,

He'd lose really badly.

[Paul V McNutt]

I just posted a Bush runs in 2008 TL.

[Ariosto]

Originally Posted by Paul V McNutt

He was popular but there was Clinton fatigue. If he wins Hillary probably is still victorious. t The first lady would be in the Senste.

You actually can't be a First Lady if you hold another political office.

[Johnrankins]

Originally Posted by Ariosto

You actually can't be a First Lady if you hold another political office.

All she has to do is resign the official title. Hillary DID that in favor of her daughter to become senator . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_L..._United_States
She had the same influence with her husband as before but without the title. The title has very little OFFICIAL power anyways. It's main power comes from being the wife of the president.

[Ariosto]

Originally Posted by Johnrankins

All she has to do is resign the official title. Hillary DID that in favor of her daughter to become senator . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_L..._United_States
She had the same influence with her husband as before but without the title. The title has very little OFFICIAL power anyways. It's main power comes from being the wife of the president.

That should have been in my post, but somehow the edit didn't transfer I guess.

On that same point though, would people look favorably on such a situation? It is one thing when the spouse is the outgoing President, another when that spouse is seeking another four years in that capacity.

[Johnrankins]

Originally Posted by Ariosto

That should have been in my post, but somehow the edit didn't transfer I guess.

On that same point though, would people look favorably on such a situation? It is one thing when the spouse is the outgoing President, another when that spouse is seeking another four years in that capacity.

I don't think most people would care. I wouldn't have.

[Admiral Ackbar]

Originally Posted by Johnrankins

I don't think most people would care. I wouldn't have.

Maybe she postpones running for Senate in 2000. We discussed this in another thread about JFK Jr. surviving and running for the NY Senate seat in 2000. One idea was to have Hillary wait to run for the open Illinois seat in 2004. She's originally from there, and announcing early clears the primary for her, and that butterflies Obama moving to the national stage for a while.

[CalBear]

Against GW Bush?

In a walk.

The tradition was broken by FDR. The only reason it hasn't happened since is the Amendment. Reagan would have been President until he died, or until his illness became so obvious that he couldn't campaign. Clinton mught STILL be President, although the heart issue might have derailed it.

[Paul V McNutt]

Originally Posted by CalBear

Against GW Bush?

In a walk.

The tradition was broken by FDR. The only reason it hasn't happened since is the Amendment. Reagan would have been President until he died, or until his illness became so obvious that he couldn't campaign. Clinton mught STILL be President, although the heart issue might have derailed it.

r Reagan would have had to answer tough questions about Iran Contra in 1988. Nancy would not have allowed it.

[Lord Grattan]

Originally Posted by Paul V McNutt

He was popular but there was Clinton fatigue. If he wins Hillary probably is still victorious. The first lady would be in the Senate.

Not if her primary residence is at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, DC. Also, if she does set up residence in NY in order to run for Senate, the charges of "carpetbagger" and the questions about Bill & Hill's marriage would over shadow both campaigns in unfavorable ways.

[BlondieBC]

Originally Posted by CalBear

Against GW Bush?

In a walk.

The tradition was broken by FDR. The only reason it hasn't happened since is the Amendment. Reagan would have been President until he died, or until his illness became so obvious that he couldn't campaign. Clinton mught STILL be President, although the heart issue might have derailed it.

Agreed he easily wins. However if we assume 9/11 happens on time, Clinton will have a hard time shifting blame for not having America's defense ready. So after the initial patriotic surge and possibly even some democratic gains in the off year elections, Republican wins in 2004. My money would be on McCain or another leader with military command experience. You might get a Bush on the ticket, but it would be Jeb.