I'm not asking how many terms one can be ELECTED as POTUS, I'm asking how many terms one can SERVE. Yes, this means you should think outside the box and the answer is not "two" nor is it "three". So what is it, then? Please support your answer with a legal scenario or sequence of events that legally permit the answer you propose.
2007-02-15 07:14:17 · 8 answers · asked by Captain Obvious! 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
plezurgui seems closest so far. Here's a what-if: Chris X is appointed VP (like Ford was) and ascends to presidency when POTUS dies with 1 year 364 days left in his term. Chris is then elected to 2 terms as Pres (that's 3 so far). Chris then runs for VP and is elected as VP, the elected Pres resigns, and Chris serves as Pres (that's 4). Chris then runs for VP AGAIN and is elected as VP AGAIN, the elected Pres resigns AGAIN, and Chris serves as Pres AGAIN (that's 5). I don't see a prohibition on being elected VP more than twice and see no legal prohibition against doing this over and over again, or as plezurgui intimated, being elevated from SOTH. I'm not asking if it is likely, just if it is constitutional and legal.
2007-02-15 07:46:55 · update #1
Nice pick up on 12th amendment, but it is not dispositive. It says merely that if one is constitutionally ineligible to the office of president, one is also ineligible to the office of VP. There is no constitutional infirmity to SERVING as president, only to being elected president.
2007-02-17 08:21:35 · update #2
Two full four year terms, plus, if by succession, less than one-half of the decedent president's term. So, if not by succession, 8 years total. If by succession, one day short of ten years.
Note: Two answers below are completely incorrect. Presidential terms are specified in the 22nd amendment, which states NOTHING about whether the terms are "in a row" or separated. That's science fiction.
2007-02-15 07:21:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The President can serve two terms or 10 years maximum.
If the President served 2 terms and then ran for the House of Representatives. Then he was elected Speaker of the House and The President and Vice President were killed or otherwise removed from office, he WOULD NOT become the President again, but rather the Secretary of State would become President.
2007-02-15 07:28:53 · answer #2 · answered by plezurgui 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In response to your second question, no it is not legal to run again as Vice President, remember constitutionally the qualify for the Vice Presidency, you must be constitutionally able to serve as the President
Amendment 12, states "But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States."
Hence, if one can not be elected president, one can not be elected vice president.
2007-02-15 08:55:53 · answer #3 · answered by PoliticalPhilosopher 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
federal law states may not be elected for more than two terms... may not serve as president for more than ten years.
2007-02-15 07:30:19 · answer #4 · answered by amazed 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG you dolts. 8 years as elected the they advise the president of their ticket for years until they can't remember their name......I'm sorry to the Reagan's.
2007-02-15 07:24:14 · answer #5 · answered by Uncle Red 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as many as he wants as long as it is not more than "2 consecutive terms". i.e. serve 8 years, take off 4. Serve another 8, etc
2007-02-15 07:24:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
as many as they are elected for :)
2007-02-15 07:22:18 · answer #7 · answered by GD-Fan 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're right. You're very obvious.
2007-02-15 07:20:50 · answer #8 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋