Why is there such an extended period of time between a Presidential election and when the President-elect takes office? It seems to me this time period allows for all kinds of shenanigans -- from shredding documents, pushing through judical appointments for the losing side, and having Senate leadership positions filled before new senators arrive to take their positions.
How did this practice of a large gap of time get started? Who started it? Is it an actual legal thing or just a convention?
The system was designed at a time when information travelled at the speed and reliability of a horse.
Good point
Excellent point.
Inauguration used to be in March. So I think we are going in the right direction!
there is much work to 'transition'. All of Trumps picks must be vetted....in ways that take time. In 2016 he invited Tulsi to talk on matters of Syria, and ISIS. After learning, he could take them out, via instructions to those in place. So much to do. Ten thousand must be hired...not personally by him, but those who will hire them. Again, much more to do than you realize.
The inauguration used to be on March 4th and wasn’t moved to January 20th until the FDR administration. I agree with you. Congress should be sworn in just after midnight on January 1, immediately vote on the state certifications for president, and inaugurate the president an hour or two later. All of it should be aired publicly.
Well, add weather in there too- didn’t we do this dog and pony show in March 249 years a ago?
Sauce:
https://www.history.com/news/why-does-inauguration-day-fall-on-january-20
Gives them time to trash the place I suppose. It's a tradition apparently, tho I'd bet Jefferson didn't do it.
Fucking fratboy tier BS.
Just think back two hundred years. No phones. No internet. No nothin', Just snail mail. Once the election was settled, everyone had to be notified of the outcome, then the winners had to get people together to form the cabinet and they had to fill hundred, if not thousands, of positions. It took time to do this without our modern communication systems. So, that's why.