America is one of those countries where freedom comes in various ways. One way is the relinquishing of power by those elected to our top office, President of the United States.
After 8 years (2 terms), George Washington in 1797 had a decision to make. He was elected to the highest office in our country, the first one to hold it, and the first to govern the country under the newly adopted Constitution. The decision was to step down or declare himself King.
The world watched as George Washington made his decision, to relinquish the office by stepping down; the first in world history to do so thus setting up a model for the rest.
Until Franklin Roosevelt, the President stood in office for only 8 years… but there was never a law stating that was a term limit. Roosevelt served 4 terms (16 years) in office mainly because of the great depression and World War II which was currently ongoing. Nobody wanted to remove him from office because of the uncertainty. Roosevelt died in office, but he was the closest thing to a king America has ever seen.
Congress saw that as a potential problem and created the 22nd Amendment which limited the term of the President to 8 years or 2 terms (which doesn’t have to run concurrently).
Since then George Washington set the model we have seen 43 other Presidents proceed him.
In 2007 history was about to be made again. This time then Senator Barack Obama was campaigning against former 1st Lady Hillary Clinton for the democratic nomination. President Bush was a lame duck as he served 8 years.
That year though was a strange year for the DNC. Florida moved up their primary election which caused Florida to be disqualified. The primary would still take place but none of the states delegates would count towards the nomination. So essentially it didn’t matter who won.
Thanks to that none of the democratic candidates came to Florida until after the nomination was set; except Obama. He made one stop to Orlando, Tampa and Miami. The first stop was Tampa and that is where I met the future President.
Love him, hate him or loathe him, he is our President. It’s always an honor to meet a President in one’s life. Shaking hands with the most powerful man in the world. Meeting the people that represent and protect America to the world.
The convention meeting was at the “then” Ice Palace now known as the Amalie Arena – home of the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL).
He came and did a 20 minute campaign speech talking about the war in Iraq, gas prices, healthcare and more. I had the privilege to photograph the historic event for the “San Diego Voice and Viewpoint” newspaper.
After, we met with the President and I got to meet not only Obama but Senator Bill Nelson, Mayor Pam Iorio, and a few other politicians.
It was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had since meeting Barbara Bush (1st lady to George H. W. Bush when I was in elementary school in Connecticut.
It changed my life…
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