Bachmann Promises to be a One Term President

Via USAT‘s OnPolitics:  Bachmann vows to serve one term if elected president

"I’m a principled reformer, and my goal is to see the country turn around," Bachmann said. "I’m also committed to being a one-term president if that’s what it takes in order to turn things around, because this is not about personal ambition."

First reaction:  yes, I suspect she would be a one-termer.

Second, near simultaneous reaction:  but, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Third reaction:  it is always easy to say that one would serve a limited number of terms before one is actually in a given office.

Fourth reaction:  she hedges in the quote, i.e., “if that’s what it takes.”

FILED UNDER: US Politics
Steven L. Taylor
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog). Follow Steven on Twitter

Comments

  1. Dave Schuler says:

    I think she’s overestimating her tenure as president by one term.

  2. Indeed.

  3. Andyman says:

    Re: point 4. It’s an odd concession to make. Who out there is thinking, “I really like Bachmann, but not for two terms”?

  4. Neil Hudelson says:

    I like the giant Michelle Bachman ad to the right of this article (at least on my computer). It is like she is saying “I approve of this mockery.”

    Or she just doesn’t understand it. Both are quite possible.

  5. michael reynolds says:

    My dog, Stan, would like me to tell you that like Ms. Bachman, he too is committed to serving only a single term as president.

  6. wr says:

    Well, one term is still twice as long as Sarah Palin would serve.

  7. jwest says:

    Wr,

    As voters spend $5 per gallon driving to their polling place, I have a hard time believing they would pull the lever for Obama over Palin.

  8. mantis says:

    As voters spend $5 per gallon driving to their polling place, I have a hard time believing they would pull the lever for Obama over Palin.

    I’m sure you do, but then, you’re not very bright, and you seem to believe all Americans are as dumb as you.