"I never believed that surrendering the executive power should be a condition of getting the second term. The second term should stand on its own feet"

Jim Gilmore is suggesting that a president needs to not need to give up executive power in order to be re-elected for a 2nd term. He thinks that a president's second term ought to be based on their own benefits and accomplishments, not on the power they have relinquished. This quote speaks to the value of a president's ability to lead and make decisions separately, without having to give up their power in order to be re-elected. It likewise implies that a president ought to be judged by themselves merits and achievements, rather than on the power they have actually quit. Gilmore's quote stresses the importance of a president's capability to lead and make choices individually, without having to quit their power in order to be re-elected. It also indicates that a president must be judged by themselves merits and accomplishments, instead of on the power they have quit. Ultimately, Gilmore's quote speaks with the importance of a president's capability to lead and make decisions independently, without having to quit their power in order to be re-elected.