I heard that the president can cancel an election and that Bush has the inclination to cancel the 2008 electio

Question

Does anybody know if he actually has the power to?

I just read a article that says and I qoute.

"The Bush Administration has both the inclination and the power to cancel the 2008 election."

Answer 1

I don't know if he could. Probably congress could pass a law to postpone an election. But you're gullible of foolish if you believe what you hear. You should pick better friends or news sources, while you can still think.

Answer 2

Okok, hear me out on this one, k?

How quickly people forget! Something like this has already been considered. It was made public in 2004 when the president started looking for legal ways to postpone (read: cancel) the election.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/jul2004/elec-j13.shtml

On a directly relevant note, it might be worth reading this article which I think will do the trick for you: http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/19/2007/2722

Those in power don't need to cancel an election and cause a full blown panic attack for the nation... They can play games, so the only stirr caused is by nuts and conspiracy freaks.

I think it's worth worrying that the foundation of the nation, rules and words on paper could be legally adapted to give him some more time. Votes could be messed with, lots of things can happen. It's funny because our nation may have checks and balances but they've already partially failed (at least in the spirit they were designed in) but real money and power does seem to play a far stronger role than anyone wants to believe - even when we make jokes about it all the time.

Oh yah, and lets not put it past the guy to declare martial law. I wouldn't say that except it's just become such a joke... As peoples concern over things like that reach a certain 'critical mass' (where say, jokes & hoaxes about it float through nearly every household almost weekly) you have to wonder if it isn't because everyone really sees it coming but no one can believe it.

That and I don't want to say "nah! Don't give it a second thought" because every time I do that about some scary looming possibility it becomes a reality - so I won't bother jinxing it.

Answer 3

Good questions.

No, the President does not have the power to cancel an election. The powers of the President are set forth in Article II of the U.S. Constitution. Article II includes no such power, but it does require the President to take an oath "to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution."

No President (not even Bush) would try to cancel an election, because he or she would be impeached immediately by the House of Representatives and would be removed from office immediately by the Senate.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The answer is no. Elections are held by state and local governments. As such, the President has no authority over it. Furthermore, the term of office is set by the Constitution. If for some reason elections were cancelled, that would only effect Congress, not the President. The state legislatures could still be called into emergency session to appoint Presidential electors and a new president would be elected. If not, the President's term would still expire, and the Speaker of the House would become acting President until elections could be held.

Answer 5

hahah haa h. i hope that if you are serious you are like 11 or something. because thats a ridiculous question.

No, the president does not have the power to cancel an election.

The United States has a balance of powers in our government between three different branches of government.

So even if Bush wanted to cancel the election, he would need to get this decision passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

and

p.s. that would never happen.

Also it is written in the constition(which is the highest held law of the United States) that the president can serve only 2 terms of presidency(8 years), unless under certain circumstances it can be 10years.

and again to change that law it would need to be approved by the senate and house of representatives.

which is very very unlikely to happen.

ever.

ever.

Answer 6

A president can serve two terms of four years each. I never heard of a US president being able to change that.

If they could do that, why didn't some of the past presidents try it?

That other person said it can be done if the US is being attacked by another country--I'm not an expert on the Constitution but I think that sounds reasonable. Since Iraq isn't attacking the US; I don't think that would be applicable.

Answer 7

To the best of my knowledge, only under extreme circumstances such as martial law being declared, but not because he likes his job or the toilet seat on Air Force 1 is comfortable or some reason like that. If martial law has been declared, it really doesn't matter who is in the white house or congress. Living through the day will probably be higher on people's priority.


edit: what's the reference link on the article? What is its context? What explanation do they give for making such a statement?

Answer 8

relies upon the balloting favoring which applicants... i think of they might flow alongside with their plan if any of the CFR individuals could have been given a raffle to get elected and proceed the artwork. yet from each and every of the precautions he has taken to get his patriot act into existence, and the CDC Anthrax concern, i'm quite specific that he anticipate utilising it by some ability to acertain its ability over the US... additionally, with the present AL-Quaeda warning and ''signs and indications'' feeled by utilising Chertoff, i assume he won't wait too long till now permitting this act, in basic terms to no longer seem too lots close to to the election to seem suspicious... So all in all, they are over 50% hazard that he will definitly do something together with his patriot act, yet wether or no longer he will cancel the election or positioned off it, its yet another be counted... we will see quickly, regrettably!!

Answer 9

No. A president can't cancel the election. I suppose if something really whacky happened -- let's say, we were attacked by a major enemy on election day -- they might postpone the election. But the president cannot, on his own, cancel elections and remain in power.

Answer 10

If the president had the power to cancel the election, we'd be living in a dictatorship. I'm pretty sure we'd have noticed by now if that were the case. :]

No, the president simply cannot cancel the elections, as they are decided by the people.

Answer 11

Only a state of emergency declaration could put off a national election, and only the President can declare a national state of emergency. So it is plusible.