General Discussion

MichMan

(16,927 posts)

81. Very difficult to overcome incumbent name recognition

Mon Feb 16, 2026, 06:26 PM

15 hrs ago

"Term limits would discourage true public servants from seeking a career in elective office..."

John Dingell Jr. from Michigan was in Congress 59 years from 1955-2015. By the way, he succeeded his father John Sr who served from 1933-1955. John Jr. retired in 1995 and was succeeded in office by his wife, Debbie Dingell who still hold office.

That means someone named Dingell has held the seat for 93 straight years. Not saying they didn't do a good job, but IMO we shouldn't have political dynasties lasting 9 decades.

How many other "true public servants" in that district just gave up knowing that they had zero chance of ever being elected?

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Please, stop with the TERM LIMITS bs. [View all] 4bonhoffer Yesterday OP

You are so right. Americanme Yesterday #1

That's a good point Conjuay Yesterday #2

Same! EuterpeThelo Yesterday #9

re: "Agreed we should primary those who aren't effective" thesquanderer 22 hrs ago #54

I agree with you. Its ridiculous. Callie1979 16 hrs ago #75

100% Right on! NT CommonHumanity Yesterday #3

I think that the longer someone stays in politics, the more likely they have convictions. everyonematters Yesterday #4

Yes, or to feather their nest, lately that's the goal Walleye Yesterday #6

The problem is that the LACK of term limits is what allows members of Congress to gain more seniority, pnwmom 11 hrs ago #90

I agree 100%, besides it's unconstitutional, not that that matters anymore Walleye Yesterday #5

How is it unconstitutional? iemanja 14 hrs ago #85

The Constitution sets the qualification for representatives and senators. TomSlick 13 hrs ago #88

Ok iemanja 10 hrs ago #94

I asked Google, they gave the specific Supreme Court case Walleye 3 hrs ago #98

Term limits who have deprived us . . Michiblue Yesterday #7

There are just as many good reasons for term limits as there are bad ones. sop Yesterday #8

+1 leftstreet 23 hrs ago #35

We need campaign finance reform MadameButterfly 23 hrs ago #37

Because they are two sides of the same bright, shiny coin. Maru Kitteh 20 hrs ago #65

i also object to the party putting thumbs on the scale to promote the leadership's MadameButterfly 19 hrs ago #67

I agree with that. I guess I was primarily speaking to the poster's Maru Kitteh 14 hrs ago #83

We have the same goal, I just think it's important to see these two issues separately MadameButterfly 1 hr ago #100

This message was self-deleted by its author Maru Kitteh 16 hrs ago #76

Bingo. See reply at #39 harumph 22 hrs ago #46

How about putting the other changes in place MadameButterfly 19 hrs ago #68

They WHERE CALLED ELECTIONS now they are called how do we screw the voters and keep them from voting. usaf-vet Yesterday #10

which, of course - doesn't address the subject (or point made) in the OP in the slightest ... - - -(nt)- stopdiggin 22 hrs ago #43

I agree PatSeg Yesterday #11

we need real term limits..two terms and out... agingdem Yesterday #12

Even for the House, where each term is only 2 years? ShazzieB 44 min ago #101

I've been preaching this for years. Not to mention the revolving door to lobbying would accelerate... themaguffin Yesterday #13

Term limits are aniicemocratic. If they've been there too long vote em out. tirebiter Yesterday #14

There are so many things that need to be reformed before we can even consider term limits ibegurpard Yesterday #15

Preach! ybbor Yesterday #16

The problem is gerrymandering, not term limits. Emile Yesterday #17

I've been arguing against term limits for years. Martin Eden 23 hrs ago #18

Very difficult to overcome incumbent name recognition MichMan 15 hrs ago #81

Every citizen should recognize the name of their representative in the House and both senators Martin Eden 13 hrs ago #87

I believe name recognition is a significant factor for many voters MichMan 11 hrs ago #91

And THAT is why our representative democracy is so dysfunctional Martin Eden 11 hrs ago #93

Totally agree DownriverDem 23 hrs ago #19

I'll take it a step further Polybius 23 hrs ago #20

let's hold off until trump is out. We don't need to give him even more incentive to fuck things up. themaguffin 23 hrs ago #22

He's more unpopular than ever now though Polybius 23 hrs ago #23

Obama isn't going to run. Getting past this shit show is priority 1 themaguffin 21 hrs ago #61

at this point - cab67 18 hrs ago #70

100% agree. The best argument against term limits is this question: Pototan 23 hrs ago #21

I like that analogy. tinrobot 23 hrs ago #29

No question homegirl 13 hrs ago #89

Yes! radical noodle 23 hrs ago #24

If elections define one's term . . . otchmoson 23 hrs ago #25

it just empowers staffers. mopinko 23 hrs ago #26

Yes, because it's important to have octogenerians driving our culture relayerbob 23 hrs ago #27

Thank you. We need to fix election financing, gerrymandering, and the electoral college. tinrobot 23 hrs ago #28

I would make one exception - cab67 23 hrs ago #30

there is no way to remove Supreme Court justices ibegurpard 23 hrs ago #32

Please stop telling people what to consider/debate Mysterian 23 hrs ago #31

How about for SCOTUS? CaptainTruth 23 hrs ago #33

The voters NEVER got a choice there stopdiggin 22 hrs ago #52

Yes, clearly. And I still think it makes sense to have term limits for SCOTUS. CaptainTruth 21 hrs ago #60

I'm in favor of 8 years for SC Justices LogDog75 17 hrs ago #71

Interesting. Thanks for sharing! CaptainTruth 15 hrs ago #80

I agree with you and add this point: Mr. Mustard 2023 23 hrs ago #34

Make them fill out job applications leftstreet 23 hrs ago #36

What we need is campaign finance reform Beausoleil 23 hrs ago #38

I used to be in the no term limits camp - not anymore. harumph 23 hrs ago #39

except that 'term limits' doesn't really address any of the aggrievements you have with the system stopdiggin 22 hrs ago #49

I think we need an age limit for service Mosby 23 hrs ago #40

You are right. I was so impressed with our Dems in Congress during the Ghislaine Bondi hearings this past weekend Maraya1969 23 hrs ago #41

I believe in term limits. Layzeebeaver 22 hrs ago #42

Term limits has always been the province of the low brow, bumper sticker mentality stopdiggin 22 hrs ago #44

Term limits don't solve a single problem. Its a populist slogan that adds zero value to anything. FascismIsDeath 22 hrs ago #45

I'm a believer in term limits. However, back during the Gingrich days, the repugs talked term limits until they got Wonder Why 22 hrs ago #47

Do you favor repeal of the 22nd amendment? n/t Shrek 22 hrs ago #48

Both that and the age-baiting arguments have too many flaws Torchlight 22 hrs ago #50

We already have term limits: the voting cycle. Get the vote out. Stop accepting your vote means nothing ... marble falls 22 hrs ago #51

Florida is the poster child for the corrupting influence of term limits. hay rick 22 hrs ago #53

B I.N.G.O. markodochartaigh 21 hrs ago #57

I disagree ABC123Easy 21 hrs ago #55

In my opinion - cab67 18 hrs ago #69

You may be able to pass laws to limit partisan gerrymandering, BUT . . . markpkessinger 17 hrs ago #73

Agreed! ABC123Easy 15 hrs ago #82

It doesn't solve it for the Senate The Revolution 8 hrs ago #97

WHY IS NOBODY SAYING the bottom line. markodochartaigh 21 hrs ago #56

Example: what if Chris Murphy of Adam Schiff were ALBliberal 21 hrs ago #58

I am with you on this. pandr32 21 hrs ago #59

Agreed, for additional reasons: Exp 21 hrs ago #62

Nationalization of politics, blaming those crooks off in Washington, Drain the Swamp. But not their own reps! betsuni 21 hrs ago #63

Completely agree! MatthewStLouis 21 hrs ago #64

Agree completely. Term limits are really just a limit on Democracy. It's telling voters they can't have their chosen tritsofme 20 hrs ago #66

I favor term limits for Executive offices and Supreme Courts LogDog75 17 hrs ago #72

Sorry I still support an Amendment for term limits. Lifetime seats have gotten ridiculous. Callie1979 16 hrs ago #74

Dingell family from Detroit area MichMan 11 hrs ago #92

Perfect example. I wasnt aware of John Sr; 93 YEARS!!?? This is exactly the problem. Callie1979 2 hrs ago #99

Citizen's United is the "corporate wet dream" that term limits, well, limits Dave says 16 hrs ago #77

I whole heartedly agree 👍 Figarosmom 16 hrs ago #78

Agreed! People only want term limits when the don't like who's in office. JohnnyRingo 16 hrs ago #79

Why is it that people think they have a right to censors others' posts and thoughts iemanja 14 hrs ago #84

Censoring posts and thoughts happens every day here Shrek 37 min ago #102

Can we at least change the presidential term limit to 1 week for this presidency only? mdbl 14 hrs ago #86

Term limits are stupid AncientOfDays 9 hrs ago #95

I absolutely support term limits and age limits for government. No more geriatric politicians. Melon 9 hrs ago #96