What would happen if politicians campaign promises were binding?

They would not make them.

All promises are FAKE !

Campaign slogans would be more like, “Elect Me and I’ll see what I can do.”

@cookieman Or…“Elect me and we’ll talk about things.” :D

Too much would be expected from the (less than intelligent) public. Which would be normal…

We’d have no politicians. They don’t want to be bound by any of their words. They’d likely all become used car salesmen/women. Or possibly circus side-show barkers.

By definition, they can’t be. No senator/congressman/president (or for that matter county commissioner) has dictatorial power. They all have to negotiate with others.

So even if I make a promise, there is no guarantee that I can get other people to vote to support the law (or idea, or regulation).

That’s why political promises should never be believed.

@elbanditoroso This. Breaking promises can’t always be blamed entirely on the politicians (not that that really matters, but it is true that a system that ensures political stalemate is as to blame as individual politicians). The point is to take political promises with a grain of salt.

Though I might get on board with politicians taking a Harry Potter-style “unbreakable vow” (meaning you die if you break it) not to reverse positions on issues they campaigned on or to give up fighting for them.

If politicians were held to their promises, there would be minor revolts everywhere.

What GOP or Democratic candidates say to their own partisan audiences are anathema to most of the country.