List of US Presidents, 1789-2012 With a Twist

The twist is that, thanks to a different selection of delegates to the Constitutional Convention, a constitution is ratified that is much closer to the Virginia Plan.

Under this constitution, the US Congress (at least initially*) as a whole elects the President, who serves as Head of State and Head of Government for a four year term, with no initial restrictions on renewal.

The lower house is elected proportional to population, and the upper house is elected by state legislatures, with an equal number per state. Other features of the Virginia plan, such as the upper house holding a veto over state legislatures, and the council of revision, are retained.

*I say initially because most parliamentary governments have seen a shift of powers to the lower, democratic house.

1789-1792: John Adams
(Federalist)
 
Interesting.
It should promote a more parliamentary style government with less power to the President - perhaps similar to the current French Semi-Presidential system?
 

Thande

Donor
Very interesting idea, we could also do it for the other proposals. Must the President be a member of Congress himself (either house) to be a candidate for election?
 
Very interesting idea, we could also do it for the other proposals. Must the President be a member of Congress himself (either house) to be a candidate for election?
Perhaps by convention, but probably not by the constitution itself. The Virginia plan didn't specify.
 

Thande

Donor
Okay, let's get this started:

1789-1792: John Adams (Federalist)

1792-1796: Alexander Hamilton (Federalist)

Details: Adams did not stand again due to a health scare, thus inadvertently creating the convention that Presidents do not stand for re-election--they can have many multiple terms but not consecutive ones. Hamilton narrowly defeated Republican* candidate Thomas Jefferson.

*I mislike the term "Democratic-Republican" which was only invented after the fact.
 
1789-1792: John Adams (Federalist)
1792-1796: Alexander Hamilton (Federalist)
1796-1804: Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)
 
One term at a time, Dr. Tron

1789-1792: John Adams (Federalist)

1792-1796: Alexander Hamilton (F)[1]
1796-1800: Thomas Jefferson (Republican)[2]
1800-1804: Alexander Hamilton (F)

1. Details: Adams did not stand again due to a health scare, thus inadvertently creating the convention that Presidents do not stand for re-election--they can have many multiple terms but not consecutive ones. Hamilton narrowly defeated Republican* candidate Thomas Jefferson.

2. Alexander Hamilton proved to be a divisive figure, provoking a constitutional crisis during his term. While the issue of the President's responsibility to Congress isn't settled, Hamilton is denied a second term by his party, reinforcing the precedent. Jay, a moderate Federalist, loses to TJ

*I mislike the term "Democratic-Republican" which was only invented after the fact.
 
1789-1792: John Adams (Federalist)
1792-1796: Alexander Hamilton (F)[1]
1796-1800: Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)[2]
1800-1804: Alexander Hamilton (F)
1804-1808: James Madison (Democratic-Republican)

1. Details: Adams did not stand again due to a health scare, thus inadvertently creating the convention that Presidents do not stand for re-election--they can have many multiple terms but not consecutive ones. Hamilton narrowly defeated Republican* candidate Thomas Jefferson.

2. Alexander Hamilton proved to be a divisive figure, provoking a constitutional crisis during his term. While the issue of the President's responsibility to Congress isn't settled, Hamilton is denied a second term by his party, reinforcing the precedent. Jay, a moderate Federalist, loses to TJ
 
1789-1792: John Adams (Federalist)
1792-1796: Alexander Hamilton (F)[1]
1796-1800: Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)[2]
1800-1804: Alexander Hamilton (F)
1804-1808: James Madison (Democratic-Republican)
1808-1811: George Clinton (DR)[3]

1. Details: Adams did not stand again due to a health scare, thus inadvertently creating the convention that Presidents do not stand for re-election--they can have many multiple terms but not consecutive ones. Hamilton narrowly defeated Republican* candidate Thomas Jefferson.

2. Alexander Hamilton proved to be a divisive figure, provoking a constitutional crisis during his term. While the issue of the President's responsibility to Congress isn't settled, Hamilton is denied a second term by his party, reinforcing the precedent. Jay, a moderate Federalist, loses to TJ


3. Clinton resigns due to poor health, leaving a successor to finish his term
 
1789-1792: John Adams (Federalist)
1792-1796: Alexander Hamilton (F)[1]
1796-1800: Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)[2]
1800-1804: Alexander Hamilton (F)
1804-1808: James Madison (Democratic-Republican)
1808-1811: George Clinton (DR)[3]
1811-1812: James Madison (DR)

1. Details: Adams did not stand again due to a health scare, thus inadvertently creating the convention that Presidents do not stand for re-election--they can have many multiple terms but not consecutive ones. Hamilton narrowly defeated Republican* candidate Thomas Jefferson.

2. Alexander Hamilton proved to be a divisive figure, provoking a constitutional crisis during his term. While the issue of the President's responsibility to Congress isn't settled, Hamilton is denied a second term by his party, reinforcing the precedent. Jay, a moderate Federalist, loses to TJ


3. Clinton resigns due to poor health, leaving a successor to finish his term
 
1789-1792: John Adams (Federalist)
1792-1796: Alexander Hamilton (F)[1]
1796-1800: Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)[2]
1800-1804: Alexander Hamilton (F)
1804-1808: James Madison (Democratic-Republican)
1808-1811: George Clinton (DR)[3]
1811-1812: James Madison (DR)

1812-1816: Rufus King (F)

1. Details: Adams did not stand again due to a health scare, thus inadvertently creating the convention that Presidents do not stand for re-election--they can have many multiple terms but not consecutive ones. Hamilton narrowly defeated Republican* candidate Thomas Jefferson.

2. Alexander Hamilton proved to be a divisive figure, provoking a constitutional crisis during his term. While the issue of the President's responsibility to Congress isn't settled, Hamilton is denied a second term by his party, reinforcing the precedent. Jay, a moderate Federalist, loses to TJ

3. Clinton resigns due to poor health, leaving a successor to finish his term
 
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