What did Presidents Say? #3

 

    In his Inaugural Address, President Ronald Reagan spoke of the importance of the orderly transfer of authority as called for in our Constitution.  Perhaps few of us then stop to think how unique we really are.  In the eyes of many in the world, this every-four year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.    

 Reagan continued, "Mr. President, I want our fellow citizens to know how much you did to carry on this tradition.  By your gracious cooperation in the transition process, you have shown a watching world that we are a united people which guarantees individual liberty to a greater degree than any other, and I thank you and your people for all your help in maintaining the continuity which is the bulwark of our republic." 

What many may have forgotten and perhaps more have never known is that rumors still exist that the amazing release of American prisoners, which President Carter had struggled to achieve, was surprisingly accomplished moments after Reagan was sworn into office.  How that happened isn't the point in this blog.  The far more important thing that we know is that both men moved on to do what was best for the Nation.  Whatever background negotiations did or did not occur, both presidents worked together to achieve a peaceful transition of power, not only assisting as Reagan acknowledged but also publicly shaking hands and appearing at the traditional ceremony.

    It may come as a surprise to many Americans to learn that in the past there was less hurry to get the newly elected Presidents into office than there is today.  It was not until 1933 that the 20th amendment moved the ending of the terms of office from March to January.  In addition, it was The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 that provided mechanisms to facilitate an orderly and peaceful transition of power.

Today major-party presidential candidates receive national security briefings once their nomination is formalized by their party.  Just after the presidential election the president elect is informed of the lists of over 9,000 federal civil service leadership and support political appointment positions to review, and fill or confirm.  Normally, there are Transition Teams who begin vetting positions to fill the new administration.  For those of us who have never come near such an overwhelming task, it is hard to imagine, even with the cooperation of both the outgoing and the incoming Presidents and their staff working together.  Yet, for the good of the nation, most Presidents put their own feelings aside and do what is best for the nation.  To fail to do so jeopardizes all of us.

    Let me share another example of someone who did what he thought was right.  Some of you may remember the hanging-chad problem of 2000.   The outcome of the election came down to one state's election results, where the accuracy of the vote count was uncertain.  In addition to the confusing alignment of where to punch your vote, the Florida "butterfly ballot" also sometimes failed to clearly function, leaving those counting votes to "guess" what was an intended punch. Perhaps complicating it even more were the number of candidates on the ballots, a total of 10, although only two were close. 

Florida butterfly ballot

To make it worse, in terms of "how things looked" was the fact that one of the candidates was the son of a former President and the brother of the state's Governor with the hanging-chad problem,  To cap that off, the Secretary of State who certified the winner was that candidate's co-chair of his campaign.  Those things made it even more difficult not to question the potential bias in the counting.

When the Secretary of State announced the victor, the Democrats sued for a recount.  The circuit court ruled against the recount, but the Florida Supreme Court reversed, agreeing to the need for a recount.  Ultimately, it went to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it was decided on a 5-4 vote, that any other means of a recount could not be decided in a timely manner.  Although the Supreme Court did not decide the election directly, it did so indirectly, by ruling there was no time for a recount.  The fact that the vote was decided on party lines--the 5 republican appointees majority deciding the case, with the 4 democrat appointees in the minority, making it seem that there was a political bias, whether there was or not.  

Yet, Al Gore honored the court's decision, setting an example to the nation.  As a further act to maintain acceptance, both the out-going Vice-President Gore and the out-going President Clinton attended the inaugural ceremony, publicly acknowledging the authenticity of the new president and vice president.  American citizens accepted the Supreme Court's decision, not necessarily because they liked it or agreed with it, or even thought it was right but because we are a nation of laws, and by example both outgoing President Clinton and Democratic nominee and Vice-President Gore set the example of how our democracy works.   

Most, although not all presidents, not only accept the outcome but also participate in the smooth transition from one president to the newly elected president not only because a lack of a smooth transition puts the safety of the nation at risk but also because they respect the Constitution. Being chosen as president is a responsibility, not a gift.  Under our constitution it is a responsibility to all of us as well, to accept the rule of law.  Yes, there have been a few poor Losers in our history who have avoided the swearing-in but most have honored that responsibility.  As Lincoln said, "In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, is the momentous issue...We are not enemies, but friends.  We must not be enemies.  Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection."  Our Constitution will endure, but we the people have the responsibility to protect and defend it from harm, foreign or domestic.  That is what we must all remember.  

If you would like to share the research I have done in preparing the 3 blogs "What did Presidents Say? feel free to share them.