A quick question to our American cousins re elections

[Mannginger]

Specifically re the delay between election and inauguration. This seems like a rather odd thing and possibly unique to the US election system (Unsure if this is accurate)

It's purpose appears to be to allow time for the elected individual to choose their team, but surely that's somewhat inefficient and a candidate should know who they'd have in key roles through the course of their campaign?

I find it rather odd that you have a 3 month period where you have almost a power vacuum and presumably get next to no "work" done in the Houses? Similarly it must frustrate the inbound president elect as they can't get on with the job and be an essentially irrelevant time for the outbound as they no longer have a mandate to do anything.

Are there any plans afoot to change this system at all? What are the advantages to it that I'm not seeing?

Cheers in advance

Phil

[ypauly]

it allows time for all the shredding the outgoing president has to do

[siscar]

On that logic you could argue that the whole second term is a waste since the incumbent knows that they will be out of office on a set date. The fact that the replacement has been elected doesn't seem to me to make much difference.

[TWSTEEL]

It also gives an outgoing President the opportunity to grant "Presidential Pardons" - no questions asked, to those who have been imprisoned following crimes committed to further the Presidents wishes be they legal or not.
It's a bit like the Mafia looking after their own but in this case the criminals know their maximum term in prison will be four years.

[jeff m]

Mannginger said:

Are there any plans afoot to change this system at all?
Phil

There are some militias with a few ideas
Probably a few Muslims too

I think it's probably an ok system especially if there is unpleasantness in a primary, as there was, it gives time for wounds (egos) to heal and enables the incoming leach to choose another leach who was a primary opponent for a high position.

With regards to a power vacuum we've had one for quite a while with regard to domestic policy.

There are a few disadvantages, usually more apparent in State elections where there can be a frantic scramble to dip fingers into the pot for the last time.
Appointment of judges etc.

I'm not American, I just live there, I'm sure I've got it all wrong