Thank You, Senator Norris
Today, on Obama’s inauguration day, I’d like to offer my thanks to a former Senator from Nebraska, George Norris, for bringing us the 20th Amendment to the Constitution:
The 1933 “Norris Lame Duck” Amendment, as it was popularly known at the time of its ratification, eliminates the December to March Congressional “lame duck” short sessions… The amendment also moves the inauguration date for president and vice president from March to January… The amendment’s author, Senator George Norris, concerned with congressional efficiency and accountability, regarded it as one of his greatest achievements.
Having the inauguration in March hampered previous incoming Presidents during times of crisis, most notably Lincoln during the Civil War and Roosevelt during the Great Depression. Woodrow Wilson was so concerned about the effect of an extended lame duck period on the war effort if he lost his re-election bid in 1916, that he planned to resign immediately if he lost:
The final result was exceptionally close and the result was in doubt for several days. Because of Wilson’s fear of becoming a lame duck president during the uncertainties of the war in Europe, he created a hypothetical plan where if Hughes were elected he would name Hughes United States Secretary of State and then resign along with the vice-president to enable Hughes to become the president.
Obama’s been President for about 10 hours now, and I’m still waiting for world peace, electric cars, a revived economy, universal health care, and, of course, my jet pack. No President in my lifetime has come into office with such high expectations (due to both the multiple challenges we face, and the type of campaign Obama ran). But one thing is for sure, the Bush administration has been in “not my problem” mode since before the election, and I’m very glad to see Obama in office now instead of March. So, thank you, Senator Norris, and good luck, President Obama – you’re going to need it.
i had never read about that wilson plan until today. would have been a real hoot if he had needed to implement it, and old hughes would have had it even worse than gerald ford eventally did. also, that’s kind of sketchy thinking on wilson’s part to plan such a thing. i never did trust that guy.