The Nation - News from Oct. 30, 1986

Two proposals for changing the tenure of U.S. presidents were voted down by large public majorities in a Gallup Poll taken Sept. 3-17. Limiting presidents to a single six-year term in office met with almost 3-1 public resistance, with 25% in favor and 70% opposed. A second proposal, removing the constitutional restraint on the number of terms presidents can serve, was favored by 33% and opposed by 64%. This proposal, which would require repeal of the 22nd Amendment limiting presidents to two four-year terms, was far more popular among Republicans--many of whom would like to see President Reagan run for a third term--than among Democrats and independents.