Talk Elections

So I've noticed that every single president in the past century or more (perhaps every president since Polk) has wanted to be a two term president (or more for the Roosevelts). I understand the reasoning behind this desire, but I'm wondering why there hasn't been any presidents that have expressed the desire to serve only one term.

Will there ever be another purposeful one-termer?

McCain almost made that pledge- it would have helped erase concerns over Palin for sure...

I think Dole made a pledge to only serve one term.

They'll pledge to be one-termers, sure, but they probably get attracted to the massive power and don't want to leave it. I seriously doubt we'll see a victorious one-termer president who promised such.

The modern public servant has a personality that is incompatible with this notion. The only reason a President (or any executive) would want to serve one term is if it were for gains or out of benefit of their reputation. Like seeing a catastrophe in the distance and jumping ship before you get blamed.

Planning from the outset to be a one-termer, no.  Deciding to not try for a second term due to a political or personal reason, yes.