“Even if Zuma was to develop the authoritarian impulses of a Mugabe, he would be checked - not least by his own party, which set a continental precedent by ousting Thabo Mbeki in 2007, after it felt he had outstayed his welcome by seeking a third term as party president. The ANC appears to have set itself against that deathtrap of African democracy: the ruler for life.” IfsWould BeFeltPresidentTermPartyDemocracyThirdsSeekingWelcomeImpulseRulersPrecedentContinentalMugabeZuma Author:Mark Gevisser
“If these precedents are to stand unimpeached, and to provide sanctions for the continued conduct of America affairs-the Constitution may be nullified by the President and officers who have taken the oath and are under moral obligation to uphold it....they may substitute personal and arbitrary government-the first principle of the totalitarian system against which it has been alleged that World War II was waged-while giving lip service to the principle of constitutional government.” IfsWorldGivingFirstsMayHas BeensWarGovernmentAmericaPresidentMoralPrinciplesTakenConstitutionAffairLipsObligationWar Of The WorldsSubstitutesOfficersWorld War IiWorld War IArbitraryOathSanctionsPrecedentMoral ObligationLip ServiceConstitutional Government Author:Charles A. Beard
“President's personal staff has a unique role. They're his intimate personal advisers, and the tradition and the precedent has been, even when I was national security adviser, that people in that position do not testify before the Congress. They talk to the Congress. They have meetings with the Congress.” PeopleHas BeensPresidentRolesSecurityPositionUniqueTraditionMeetingsCongressIntimateStaffNational SecurityPrecedentAdviser Author:Colin Powell
“I think this sets a very bad precedent, the president unilaterally on his own starting war without any consent from Congress.” ThinkingWarPresidentStartingCongressConsentPrecedent Author:Rand Paul
“I do not know how Vladimir Putin will be esteemed by the future history, but I have no doubt that among his successes and advantages for Russia historians shall absolutely note the fact of his not altering the constitution, for he created a precedent. And afterwards, no matter who might become president, it shall be extremely difficult to alter the constitution exactly on that point. Extremely difficult.” KnowsMatterFactsMightDifficultPresidentKnow HowDoubtAdvantageConstitutionNotesRussiaNo DoubtHistorianPutinPrecedent Author:Vladimir Posner