(no subject)

[novapsyche]

George Washington and LBJ. Any other presidents who voluntarily walked away from the office? (I'm a bad Amer Studs scholar, I know.)

Comments

[o-lucky-man.livejournal.com]

Until the 22nd amendment was adopted, technically they all did (except for those who died in office, of course).

Rutherford B Hayes announced he would only serve for one term and did not seek re-election, and Richard Nixon voluntarily resigned.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

I don't consider Nixon's resignation to be something that he accepted without pressure--that is, willingly.

(As for the other technicalities, I would say that FDR did not relinquish power voluntarily--he was the one who broke the understood precedent, leading directly to the 22nd Amendment. Also, without JFK's tragedy, resignation of President or VP was not recognized as a legal method--there was no way to abdicate the office [other than impeachment and removal].)

So, Hayes. Why didn't I know about Hayes? I have some studying to do.

[o-lucky-man.livejournal.com]

Henry Adams once famously described Hayes as "a third rate nonentity, whose only recommendation is that he is obnoxious to no one."

Hayes' main claim to fame is that he lost the popular vote in the disputed election of 1876. Hayes is not considered a great President by any means, but not an unmitigated disaster either.

[pstscrpt.livejournal.com]

not an unmitigated disaster either
That's pretty high praise for the late 1800's, isn't it?

[childe.livejournal.com]

I'm distantly related to Hayes. As I understand it, one of the most corrupt elections in U.S. history, and he was one of the most honest presidents.

[moiety-tx.livejournal.com]

LBJ's decision not to run for office in 68 is not best described as voluntary either...

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

Well, if he had run, the Democrats would not have chosen anyone else for the ticket.