The Twenty-Second Amendment and the Limits of Presidential Tenure: A Tradition Restored

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For nearly a century and a half, Americans lived by a powerful tradition in which no President served more than two terms. Then came Franklin Delano Roosevelt, restricted by custom but not by law, who won a third term in 1940 and a fourth in 1944. Believing that the broken norm would be breached again, the Republican-controlled eightieth Congress acted to restore it, passing a constitutional change in 1947 to formalize an absolute limit on presidential tenure.

Ratified in 1951, the Twenty-second Amendment created a lame-duck out of every two-term incumbent since Truman and has had an enormous effect on the institution of the Presidency, public policy, and national politics. Critics believe the Amendment diminishes the presidential office; however, Martin B. Gold contends it serves to maintain checks and balances central to the American Constitution while examining Presidents and term limits, from the spirited debates in the Constitution Convention, the role of custom in an unwritten Constitution, and the Twenty-second Amendment itself.

Reviews

Again, Martin Gold provides an engaging history lessonthis time the story of the Twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution, including the arguments for and against limiting U.S. Presidents to two terms of service. -- Jon Kyl, Senator Jon Kyl
This is a splendid history of Americas struggle over the issue of presidential term limits. Martin Gold has delivered a finely written and unfailingly interesting account of the conflicts leading to the adoption of the Twenty-Second Amendment: clashes between hallowed tradition and personal ambition, constitutional principle and partisan politics, and trust in the voters and fear of the demagogue. -- Bob Bauer, White House Counsel to President Barack Obama
Im convinced that no one understands our governmentits form, function, and purposebetter than Marty Gold. With characteristic wisdom and insight, he sheds light on the history of the Twenty-second Amendment and its relevance to the present day. This book is an important addition to his oeuvre and a must-read for any student of American politics. -- Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, (R-UT) Chairman, Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee
Martin Gold has provided a fascinating and important historical account of the Twenty Second Amendment to our Constitution, which limits presidential tenure to two terms, following the four terms to which Franklin Roosevelt was elected. While critics contend it creates a lame-duck out of every two term incumbent, many presidents elected since the Amendment have achieved major accomplishments in their second term. While I am a firm believer in presidential power, I have also seen the toll that presidency takes on occupants of the Oval Office. Regardless of one's views, this stirring book is essential reading for anyone interested in American constitutional history. -- Stuart E. Eizenstat, White House Domestic Policy Adviser to President Carter and author of President Carter: The White House Years

Author Bio

Martin B. Gold is attorney and adjunct faculty of the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University.