WI the presidential term limit hadn’t been created?

Well Truman knew he had no chance, I doubt Eisenhower would be run for a third term, Reagan's health would probably prevent that, Clinton wouldn't after the Monica Lewinsky Scandal, Bush would of had zero chance if he decided to run, and I doubt Obama would of run for a third term because by that point even if it wasn't the law of of the land nobody would have tried since FDR and two terms would be normalized again.
 
Truman was eligible to seek 2nd & 3rd full terms in 1952 & 1956. But after firing General MacArthur & letting Nationalist China fall to the commies in 1949 including other crises, etc., I doubt he would've won reelection.
 
So:

33 Harry Truman (D-Missouri) 1945-1953

Truman was the last President who had the possibility to run for a third term, as 22d Amendament didn't apply to the incumbent President, but he declined as he saw zero possibilities to win.

34 Dwight David Einsenhower(R-New York) 1953-1961

Okay, Ike was widely popular and he didn't like very much JFK and Nixon but he was 70 in 1960, so very old for his time, and it seems very clear that Mamie didn't want be a widow of a President.

35 John Fitzgerald Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) 1961-1963

We all know why, unfortunately JFK was not able to run for a second term, so it's pretty impossible aspire to a third one.

36 Lyndon Baines Johnson (D-Texas) 1963-1969

Lyndon was a pretty popular President before Vietnam but after he was so unpopular that Secret Service told him it was not able to protect him if he had wanted run for a second term. So nay.

37 Richard Milhous Nixon (R-California) 1969-1974

Tricky Dicky surely wanted to reign at life but Watergate was fatal for him so, sorry Dick, it will (not) be for an other time.

38 Gerald Rudolph Ford (R-Michigan) 1974-1977

He lost reelection and didn't start any comeback so his door toward White House was closed in 1976.

39 James Earl Carter (D-Georgia) 1977-1981

Same thing for Ford.

40 Ronald Wilson Reagan (R-California) 1981-1990

Yep, Reagan had some signs of Alzheimer but he was not ill and declined reelection for one of the most popular American President would only confirme that a mental problematic person governed the US for eight years. So he run but when Alzheimer becomes clear during a international crisis (Panama or Kuwait, I suppose) he is removed due 25d Amendament and replaced by Bush Sr.

41 George Herbert Walker Bush (R-Texas) 1990-1993

Maybe he didn't say "Read my lips" but it could be worst as he will be seen as a traitor of Reagan policies and a tricky person who took advantage of the illness of an old sick man. He lost reelection.

42 William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (D-Arkansas) 1993-2005

He is young, he is popular, his scandals didn't count as "It's economy!". Gore could have won if he didn't distance from Clinton and had taken a more relaxed and less arrogant style, so Bill could win in 2000. His response at 9/11 Attacks would be controversial as Republicans could point as he didn't kill Osama in Sudan when he had the occasion to do it. His heart attack in 2004 will be also a big problem and probably GOP will be able to take the White House.

43 John Ellis Bush (R-Florida) 2005-2009

The GOP Presidency will escalate foreign wars but the Recession will destroy its reputation.

44 Barack Hussein Obama (D-Illinois) 2009-...

Obama was-well, actually is- widely popular and could easily run and win a third term thanks to popular image, high black turnout, connections with young vote and a more middle-man appeal than Hillary. He is the current President and many are thinking if Barack will try to match FDR and run for a fourth term or if he will retire, probably in favor of his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
 
I think IKE, Reagan, Clinton, and Obama would all run for 3rd terms. Hell, even Dubya would plan on running for his third term until the shitstorm of his second term. I can't think of a single post WW2 president who wouldn't run for a 3rd term.

I can see Ike retirng. Maybe Ford and Carter
 
I don't think Nancy would have wanted him to.
Don’t think Nancy would be the biggest issue here. He was already showing signs of mental degradation in the final months of his presidency OTL. Can only imagine a third run and subsequent third term would accelerate his decline. Even if he did run and win, I’m not sure he would even finish his term.
 
So:

33 Harry Truman (D-Missouri) 1945-1953

Truman was the last President who had the possibility to run for a third term, as 22d Amendament didn't apply to the incumbent President, but he declined as he saw zero possibilities to win.

34 Dwight David Einsenhower(R-New York) 1953-1961

Okay, Ike was widely popular and he didn't like very much JFK and Nixon but he was 70 in 1960, so very old for his time, and it seems very clear that Mamie didn't want be a widow of a President.

35 John Fitzgerald Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) 1961-1963

We all know why, unfortunately JFK was not able to run for a second term, so it's pretty impossible aspire to a third one.

36 Lyndon Baines Johnson (D-Texas) 1963-1969

Lyndon was a pretty popular President before Vietnam but after he was so unpopular that Secret Service told him it was not able to protect him if he had wanted run for a second term. So nay.

37 Richard Milhous Nixon (R-California) 1969-1974

Tricky Dicky surely wanted to reign at life but Watergate was fatal for him so, sorry Dick, it will (not) be for an other time.

38 Gerald Rudolph Ford (R-Michigan) 1974-1977

He lost reelection and didn't start any comeback so his door toward White House was closed in 1976.

39 James Earl Carter (D-Georgia) 1977-1981

Same thing for Ford.

40 Ronald Wilson Reagan (R-California) 1981-1990

Yep, Reagan had some signs of Alzheimer but he was not ill and declined reelection for one of the most popular American President would only confirme that a mental problematic person governed the US for eight years. So he run but when Alzheimer becomes clear during a international crisis (Panama or Kuwait, I suppose) he is removed due 25d Amendament and replaced by Bush Sr.

41 George Herbert Walker Bush (R-Texas) 1990-1993

Maybe he didn't say "Read my lips" but it could be worst as he will be seen as a traitor of Reagan policies and a tricky person who took advantage of the illness of an old sick man. He lost reelection.

42 William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (D-Arkansas) 1993-2005

He is young, he is popular, his scandals didn't count as "It's economy!". Gore could have won if he didn't distance from Clinton and had taken a more relaxed and less arrogant style, so Bill could win in 2000. His response at 9/11 Attacks would be controversial as Republicans could point as he didn't kill Osama in Sudan when he had the occasion to do it. His heart attack in 2004 will be also a big problem and probably GOP will be able to take the White House.

43 John Ellis Bush (R-Florida) 2005-2009

The GOP Presidency will escalate foreign wars but the Recession will destroy its reputation.

44 Barack Hussein Obama (D-Illinois) 2009-...

Obama was-well, actually is- widely popular and could easily run and win a third term thanks to popular image, high black turnout, connections with young vote and a more middle-man appeal than Hillary. He is the current President and many are thinking if Barack will try to match FDR and run for a fourth term or if he will retire, probably in favor of his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

You're assuming Bush, Jr., loses to Clinton in 2000 & fades into oblivion ? Jeb blew his chance at the Presidency by choking to Chiles in 1994.
 
  • Dwight D Eisenhower: OTL first president limited to it(Truman had the grandfather clause). Would probably not want to run in 1960 because he would feel too old and want to retire at that point
  • John F Kennedy: OTL killed before he completed his first term. Precarious health could have taken him out in his second had he not been killed. Difficult to say whether he would try because of that, but I imagine he would in fear of his poor health exposing itself.
  • Lyndon B Johnson: OTL capable of running one more term because his first term was under 24 months. Would've probably done so had Vietnam not ruined him. In the best scenario, wouldn't have run in 1972 because he would be cognizant of his own precarious health and that of his family, doesn't want to risk the president's heart exploding in office
  • Richard Nixon: OTL resigned due to Watergate. Without term limits or Watergate I would not be surprised to see him try and stay in office as long as possible. Maybe 1976, but anything beyond that is pushing it short of a Watchmen scenario
  • Gerald Ford: OTL failed to win a term on his own. Had he won one and there were no term limits, he would probably have lost in 1980
  • Jimmy Carter: OTL failed to win a term on his own. Not sure if he would run in 1984 if he won 1980, but if he had Reagan's kind of success. Though I feel he might just not be interested
  • Ronald Reagan: OTL first president since Eisenhower to have a full two term presidency. I expect him to try and run in 1988 in this scenario, but party bosses would discourage him to do so because of his Alzheimer's being problematic. Not that he wouldn't win if he did do so.
  • George HW Bush: OTL failed to win re-election. Might want to stick to only running a third time for the sake of foreign policy, or just having enough at that point(he'd be 72 by the 1996 election)
  • Bill Clinton: The sex scandal could cost him if he runs in 2000 under no term limits, but maybe if he kept that under relative control?
  • George W Bush: Would lose the election, not that he wouldn't also try
  • Barack Obama: I think he'd win, especially if it was against Trump. That said, I'm not sure if he'd want to
  • Donald Trump: Call me on November 2020/2024, it's not finished yet
 
Obama might not run in 2008. Hillary might not run either - only four years removed from Bill's presidency.

Whoever does win the D nomination might go on to lose in 2012. Obama's economic performance is more in line with an OTL one termer, and *44 is less charismatic.

O might be the current President after unseating the Republican who won in 2012.
 
Thus far the responses has centered around presidents who could have gone a 3rd consecutive term. Was there anyone who could have had 3 non-consecutive terms?

Ie. 2 terms, being out of office, then running and winning a 3rd term

or 1 term, being out of office, and then holding 2 terms?
 
The ones can pulled it are...Eisenhower but his health was at the limit, Reagan as @CalBear say, bush sr was reagan third term that failed, Clinton is a maybe...and Obama....
 
Thus far the responses has centered around presidents who could have gone a 3rd consecutive term. Was there anyone who could have had 3 non-consecutive terms?

Ie. 2 terms, being out of office, then running and winning a 3rd term

or 1 term, being out of office, and then holding 2 terms?
I could see both Clinton and Obama coming back from retire after their planned successors lost very winnable elections
 
No 22nd and IKE wins a 3rd Term:
34. Dwight Eisenhower / Richard Nixon (Republican): 1953-1962*
35. Richard Nixon /
Vacant (Republican): 1962-1965
35. Richard Nixon / Thurston Morton (Republican): 1965-1969
36. John Kennedy / Terry Sanford (Democratic): 1969-1974**
37. Terry Sanford /
Vacant (Democratic): 1974
37. Terry Sanford / Edmund Muskie (Democratic): 1974-1981
38. George Bush / Jack Kemp (Republican): 1981-1993
39. Mario Cuomo / Al Gore (Democratic): 1993-2005
40. John McCain / John Engler (Republican): 2005-2013
41. Andrew Cuomo / Barack Obama (Democratic): 2013-Incumbent

*= Died of a Heart Attack November 1st, 1962
**= Resigned March 4th, 1974 due to complications for Addison's Disease.
No 22nd and Reagan wins a 3rd Term:
40. Ronald Reagan / George Bush (Republican): 1981-1990*
41. George Bush /
Vacant (Democratic): 1990
41. George Bush / Dick Cheney (Republican): 1990-1997
42. Ann Richards / Joe Biden (Democratic): 1997-2005
43. Joe Biden / Mary Landrieu (Democratic): 2005-2009

44. Mitt Romney / Sam Brownback (Republican): 2009-Incumbent

*= Resigned October 15th, 1990 due to being Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease

No 22nd and Clinton wins a 3rd Term:
42. Bill Clinton / Al Gore (Democratic): 1993-2001*
42. Bill Clinton / John Kerry (Democratic): 2001-2005
43. John McCain / Bill Frist (Republican): 2005-2013
44. Hillary Clinton / Evan Bayh (Democratic): 2013-Incumbent
*=Vice President Al Gore Declines to seek another term as Vice President in 2000. He ran for President in 2004, but lost the nomination to Vice President John Kerry.

Those are the three post war 2 term Presidents I think would get third terms if they were allowed. George W. Bush wouldn't run in 2008 if legally allowed to and he'd get crushed if he did. As for Obama, I don't think Michelle would want him to run again if he could, but if he could and did, it's a toss up as to whether or not he wins a third term. I think it depends on who the GOP nominates and what kind of campaign they run. I think Obama wins if he runs against one of the Republican candidates that ran OTL, he loses if someone better runs and gets nominated.
 
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The main value of having no Presidential term limits is that after the mid term election the President will not automatically be called a Lame Duck, and will with the threat of running for a third term will be able to keep party discipline as candidates for the nomination of the same party as the President are less willing to show their independence in case the President decides if he is popular enough to take the nomination away from them.
 
Thus far the responses has centered around presidents who could have gone a 3rd consecutive term. Was there anyone who could have had 3 non-consecutive terms?

Ie. 2 terms, being out of office, then running and winning a 3rd term

or 1 term, being out of office, and then holding 2 terms?

If Kerry wins in 2004, W might be able to come back in 2008, and eke out a narrow win in 2012.
 
Wasn't Reagan starting to become unpopular towards the end of his term thanks to stuff like Iran-Contra.
 
Wasn't Reagan starting to become unpopular towards the end of his term thanks to stuff like Iran-Contra.

Reagan was becoming less popular due to the scandal in 1987, although he left office in 1989 with solid approval ratings. If he were to win a third term, I think the recession and the increasingly clear signs of his mental condition would cause his popularity to dip. At age 81 I doubt Reagan would run for a fourth term in 1992 and the Democrats still win.
 
Eisenhower, Reagan and Obama could have won third terms. Age and the need to retire would have discouraged Ike. Reagan would have won but would have likely resigned after one year considering his health. Bush Sr. gets one less year and little changes except that the world does not hear "read my lips...no new taxes." So he could win in 1992 and 1996, given the strength of the economy. Obama on the ballot would have changed the GOP nomination.
 
Eisenhower, Reagan and Obama could have won third terms. Age and the need to retire would have discouraged Ike. Reagan would have won but would have likely resigned after one year considering his health. Bush Sr. gets one less year and little changes except that the world does not hear "read my lips...no new taxes." So he could win in 1992 and 1996, given the strength of the economy. Obama on the ballot would have changed the GOP nomination.

I doubt Obama's presence changes the GOP Nomination. IMO They had essentially no control over it.
 
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