why does america have midterm elections?

Question

what is the reason for midterm elections?
If the polls are correct and the Democrats win both houses would the president lose a lot of power and influence?

Answer 1

The President hasn't had much power in the entire 6 years of his Presidency. We will go from Democrats obstructing most of Bush's agenda to the Republican Senate squabbling with the morons in Congress...

They laughed at Bush for saying we should be going to Mars, that should've been a great call for Americans to learn more math and science in schools....

They opposed privatizing social security and are in favor of going bankrupt...

They fillibustered a record number of judge appointments (by far)

Yet they let some of the worst aspects of the Republicans agenda take center stage (re: social issues).

I can go on...


Washington is broken. We need to throw both parties out. We need to reform the system and amend the constitution. We need a balanced budget amendment, we need a line item veto, we need to find a way to stop the pork barrel spending, we need to end the drug war, we need a lot of changes or this country will misgovern itself into being about as relevant in the future (when India, Russia, China, and Brazil rise) as Western Europe is in this America dominated world...

I say the leftists should all just vote Green and the righties should all vote Libertarian. Both of the parties entrenched in politics are garbage.

Answer 2

They have midterm elections because those Senators or Congressmen terms are up. The President does not loose alot of power because he always has the right to veto any bill
Yes he probably does lose some influence but the best thing is when the House,Senate and the president try to get along.

Answer 3

the house of representatives hold office for 2 years, the president for 4 years and the senate is for 6 years.

yes, if both houses go democrat, bush will have a difficult time getting programs started.

Answer 4

Because teh Constitution mandates elections for the House and Senate every two years.

Answer 5

if the Dems win then that means people aren't happy with the way the nation was going and need some change.

It doesn't matter if the president loses power and influence what matters is what is best for the American nation and it's people.

Answer 6

election voting times r different for different branches

Answer 7

ya rules vary

Answer 8

the law is different