How fares the fledgling campaign to repeal the 22nd Amendment i the measure that limits presidents to two elected terms? James Sparling. administrative assistant to Rep, Guy Vander Jagt, H-Mich. who is spearheading the move, tells me initial support has been “outstanding,” Vander Jagt has submitted the repeal legislation Y House Joint Resolution 687 A to the House Judiciary Committee. Already. says Sparling. 66 congressrnen have agreed to be cosponsors. However, with adjournment due late this fall, the rsolution probably is on a dead-end street insolar as action by the present Congress is concerned. Vander Jagt hopes to do all the groundwork possible in the weeks ahead. then reintrtr duce the proposed repealer when the 10001 Congress oonvenes Jan. Il. 1987 Obviously the repeal idea has touched otl much healthy discussion across the country. The U.S. News and World Report says in its Sept. l issue a survey of newspaper editorials shows that repeal “may not be a had idea? Most editorials quoted by the magazine looked with favor on banning the twoterm limit, Here at home, l thought the l-1erald’s editorial of Aug. 13 urging repeal made a good pitch for freedom of choice in a democracy and against imposing an arbitrary limit on the number of terms a president may serve. The und Amendment was proposed in 1947 by the first Republican-controlled Congress in 14 years while the memory of Democrat Franklin D, Roosevelt’s four consecutive presidential victories was still fresh in mind. Roosevelt had died April 12. 1945. just a month and li days after beginning his fourth term. Democratic help in passage of the amendment was especially significant in the final push for ratification by the states which came in 1951. A desire by Republican elements to open the way for President Reagan to seek a third term in 1988 ignited the repeal effort, of course, Yet there are practicalities that make it virtually impossible for Reagan to nin in ‘B8 even if the 75-yearold president were to recant statements that he would not be a candidate again, Consider these points; – Democrats aren’t likely to make it possible for the sponsors to obtain the required twothirds vote in both houses of Congress if an immediate goal is to enable it popular Republican president to run again. – If they do support repeal, Demos almost certainly would insist on exempting the sitting president. This seems fair. The 22nd Amendment specifically exempted the incumbent president tHarry Trumaht from its provisions. – Now suppose the Democrats were to turn generous and allow Reagan to benefit from a ban of the twoterm limit. The repeal amendment still would need, to he ratified by legislatures of three-fourths l38l of the states. Could this be done betore the 19Kl election campaign? l don’t think so. It took nearly four years for the states to complete ratification of the 2Znd Amendment – from March 24. 1947 whenit was proposed by Congress, to Feb. 27, 1951. The rqzeal proposal, like the original amendment, will be somewhat controversial and won’t be apt to clear 38 legislatura without hangups and delays. I would like to see Congress deliberate the repeal question carefully and without regard for a deaolme or the current third term issue. Republicans have rendered a public service in calling attention to an amendment that seems questionable in the light of history. but they shouldn’t expect special congressional consideration in their political planning. it stands to reason that our lawmakers can be more objective in their deliberations if the issue they are considering isn’t burdened with political baggage. And the joint efforts of both parties will be needed if the twoterm limit on praidential terms is to be lifted.