An Argument for Term Limits: The Next Generation of Democrat Leaders Blocked by Baby-Boomers

[NightHawkeye]

The Next Generation Of Democratic Leaders Wants To Move Up, But The Baby Boomers Are In The Way

Ambitious, young House Democrats have a problem: At a time when the party is calling for generational change, there are few opportunities to advance.

Leadership has long been static for Democrats in the House. Reps. Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Jim Clyburn, the top three Democrats, respectively, have all been at the top of the House Democratic ladder for more than a decade. And none have shown any signs of leaving; Pelosi has said she expects to be speaker if Democrats retake the House in November.

That stagnation has some Democrats worried that their caucus is bleeding talent, and it has left two options for the party’s rising stars — try to work their way up outside of the traditional leadership structure or head for the exits.

... the departure of some of the caucus’s rising stars is particularly striking at a time when Democrats may be poised to win back the House in 2018.

This cycle, Reps. Beto O’Rourke, Jacky Rosen, and Kyrsten Sinema are all running for Senate seats. Reps. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Jared Polis, and Tim Walz are running for governor in their states. Rep. Keith Ellison, the number two official at the Democratic National Committee, is seeking the Minnesota attorney general position (a decision he announced months before an ex-girlfriend accused him of abuse). Rep. Colleen Hanabusa also made an unsuccessful bid for a gubernatorial seat. Rep. John Delaney is running for president.

New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney also took a stab at becoming New York attorney general, but is running for reelection to his House seat after losing that primary.

Those departures come after two lower-level members of House leadership, who were seen as potential heirs apparent, also left the House. Chris Van Hollen ran for Senate in 2016 and won, while Xavier Becerra left the House in January 2017 for a post as California’s attorney general.​

 

[Unofficial Reverand Alex]

What would you think about a time away from Congress, then being able to come back? For example, a 3-term limit, then 3 terms later, the politician can run again?

Although sadly, this & most other problems in American politics today are really the result of a lethargic voting population. A high-performing politician would be fine being elected for decades, but for the most part, voters aren't educated enough to worry about alternatives.

 

[NightHawkeye]

What would you think about a time away from Congress, then being able to come back? For example, a 3-term limit, then 3 terms later, the politician can run again?

Seems likely to be abused the same way the current system is.

Although sadly, this & most other problems in American politics today are really the result of a lethargic voting population. A high-performing politician would be fine being elected for decades, but for the most part, voters aren't educated enough to worry about alternatives.

The problem is only slightly more subtle in the Republican party where voters have told House leadership to get out three times in quick succession now. First, voters literally voted Eric Cantor out of office to get rid of him in a surprise to the establishment. Then, they forced John Boehner to resign after a lengthy multi-year squabble with Republican voters. Now, they have similarly forced Paul Ryan from his post. Over in the Senate, almost no one has been happy with Mitch McConnell's performance ... but he still won't leave ... and seems likely to stay longer after being bouyed by success with Kavanaugh's confirmation.

Term limits would seem a good option to help resolve such issues.

 

[LivingWordUnity]

The Dem leaders of today are all socialists. So I don't see how it makes a difference if it's one of the older ones or one of the younger ones.

 

[Arcangl86]

I don't think it's really an issue with term limits. I think it's an issue with people not being willing to buck party leadership. It's not like these positions are set in stone. If enough congressmen or senators voted for somebody else, you have a leadership change. Simple as that.

 

[iluvatar5150]

FunFact: The three Dem leaders listed in the beginning of the article - Pelosi, Hoyer, and Clyburn - aren't Baby Boomers. Pelosi and Clyburn were born in 1940 and Hoyer was born in 1939 - they're Silent Generation.

 

[Arcangl86]

Also, I don't think term limits would actually make a difference. People would just make a career in state office before running for Congress. Just look at the Presidency. The last two candidates running were in their late 60s/early 70s when they ran. So the same people won't be in power for forever, but there is no guarantee that it won't stay a de facto gerontocracy.

 

[Speedwell]

The Dem leaders of today are all socialists. So I don't see how it makes a difference if it's one of the older ones or one of the younger ones.

So they all believe in government ownership of the means of production? LOL!

 

[JohnC2]

The issue is that the voters WANT to vote for the incumbents - NOT the new blood.

As such - why is there a problem? Why do you want to fight what the voters in that district want? Do you know better than them? They are the ones who have to live with their representative.

And in the case of Ocasio-Cortez defeating long time incumbent Joe Crowley in the primary - The Voters spoke clearly...