What if the President was elected by Congress?

[Gary J]

One of the ideas which the Philadelphia convention considered but rejected.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?hlaw:2:./temp/~ammem_jg3R::

Sect. 1. The Executive Power of the United States shall be vested in a single person. His stile shall be "The President of the United States of America;" and his title shall be, "His Excellency". He shall be elected by ballot by the Legislature. He shall hold his office during the term of seven years; but shall not be elected a second time.

If this plan had been adopted, US politics might have developed differently. At least gridlock between executive and legislative branches would be less likely.

[bagelman]

The balance of power wouldn't be balanced, the speaker of the house would become the prime minister in all but name while the president would evolve to become a powerless figurehead.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

This idea is even worse than the electoral college.