November 23, 2008
US constitutional requirement of two and a half months delay between election and inauguration of the president is OK during peace time. This time gap is intended to give the president-elect sufficient time to form his or her new cabinet and other appointments. In times of crisis, like this year, it is too long to keep the country hanging by the rope for lack of leadership. Current president will not act or does not know how to act or has lost total interest in governing. The president- elect is reluctant to take responsibility without authority.
There are other extreme situations where the constitution shows flaw. Like the candidate winning the majority of popular votes but loosing the electoral votes and the presidency. Like the flaw in the chain of succession of the presidency. Example, if president Bush wishes to resign today to give president-elect Obama an opportunity to take the authority immediately to handle the economic crisis, he can't.
Because Obama will not succeed Bush. It has to go through the chain of succession.
The congress should fine tune these flaws.