Second Term Presidents

It was a close one, but barring any real legal surprises, it looks like Bush has won a second term as President of the United States.

A second term president is far more powerful than a first term president. A first term president has to worry about getting re-elected at the end of his term. A second term president has no such worry - he's barred by the constitution from seeking a third term. So, there really is no accountability to the voters - whether he makes popular decisions or unpopular decisions, the results in four years will be the same: someone else will become president.

The main concern for a second term president is cementing his legacy in the history books, and since he does not need to worry about being re-elected, the focus is more on actions that he thinks will produce long-term benefit, than on those that will produce short-term boosts in popularity.

Knowing this, residents of some places like Fallujah are not likely to be sleeping very easy tonight.