Many have pondered the reason why Presidential campaigns have started earlier and earlier the last few cycles. There are many theories: the pressure to raise ever more money, the front-loading of primaries, the lack of clear front-runners, etc. I think these are all plausible components of an explaination, but none are indespensible.
I’m listening to Joe Eszterhas’ "American Rhapsody" on tape in my truck, in which Eszterhas expressed an opinion as to why the 2000 Presidential campaign kicked off much earlier than normal: disgust with Clinton and a desire to get his term over with. Obviously, an earlier start just means a longer campaign, but psychologically, starting sooner means doing something about getting rid of the incumbent sooner. Since impeachment is shamefully ‘off the table’ for now, the only thing we can do to bring an end of President Bush’s term, who now fully 70% of us are disgusted with, is to start electing a new President ASAP.
Considering that Clinton was impeached, though not convicted, perhaps impeachment wouldn’t itself prevent campaign creep, even if partially or wholly successful. Clinton at least retained a popular majority, while Bush, despite avoiding impeachment so far, has not. Whenever a President has lost the popular mandate or a claim to legitimacy there will be a strong desire to remedy that vacuum of legitimate leadership. Impeaching Bush and Cheney would might not lessen the desire for a new and popularly elected President. A President Pelosi and the Constitutional issues such a succession would raise would hardly calm the waters of our troubled nation.
In the end, maybe the only thing we can do to prevent the Presidential campaign season from continuing to creep up on us is to stop electing charming lying creeps to the Presidency who we later can’t wait to show the door.
Term LIMITS are the answer for the Senate and Congress and the President at 6 years only!