Political question

[TheGoofster]

OK, first of all, I'm not looking to open a can of worms. I'm not attacking anybody, and I don't want to see a repeat of pre-election sparring.
What I am doing is asking a simple hypothetical question.

My question is this - with all of the problems coming out of Chicago right now, what would happen if something were to come out about Obama that were to dis-qualify him to become the President? (Again, I'm not saying that it will or that it should only what if) Would Biden become the President instead? And would Hillary (assuming her nomination goes through) become the VP?

I'm thinking that this is how it would break down, but I'm not positive, so I thought I would let my fellow Dissers confirm it, or better educate me.

Thanks.

 

[John Smith1]

Wishful thinking, huh?

At least it's not Palin

 

[Galahad]

Other than the electoral college not really voting him in this week nothing could actually do this. He would have to be impeached after he took office. Can't think of anything that could prevent him from taking office.

 

[Hoodie]

Depends on the timing I think.

If after the election is certified by the Congress in January, I would guess Biden would be Pres. Hillary wouldn't automatically be in the VP slot though. As Sec of State, she would come after Pelosi and the President of the Senate. Biden would select a VP and it could be her.

 

[burberryplaid]

My question is this - with all of the problems coming out of Chicago right now, what would happen if something were to come out about Obama that were to dis-qualify him to become the President? (Again, I'm not saying that it will or that it should only what if) Would Biden become the President instead? And would Hillary (assuming her nomination goes through) become the VP?

Next in line after the VP is the Speaker of the House, isn't it?

 

[Master Mason]

First let me say that nothing is going to stop him from taking office assuming that the Electoral College votes him in (which is pretty much a given but is still the one sticking point)

Having said that, if for some reason he can not take office, then Biden would do so. No one would become the VP until then President Biden nominated someone and they were confirmed.

If neither Obama or Biden could take office, then I am fairly certain that Pelosi would become president.

 

[TheGoofster]

Wishful thinking, huh?

At least it's not Palin

Actually no. The thought of Pelosi getting nearer the White House is hardly a wishful thought.
Honestly, I was just asking more about the Political process or procedure. My wife and I were talking about this, and she thought that the Sec. of State would automatically become V.P., but I wasn't sure.
I also didn't know if a Pres-Elec had the same rules as a sitting Pres.

 

[Strangeite]

First let me say that nothing is going to stop him from taking office assuming that the Electoral College votes him in (which is pretty much a given but is still the one sticking point)

Having said that, if for some reason he can not take office, then Biden would do so. No one would become the VP until then President Biden nominated someone and they were confirmed.

If neither Obama or Biden could take office, then I am fairly certain that Pelosi would become president.

This is correct. The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 states that in the event that neither Obama nor Biden can become President due to death, resignation, or removal, then Pelosi would become President, followed by Byrd. If both of them were incapacitated, then it would fall to the Secretary of State. However, Clinton has not been approved as Secretary of State by the Senate.

Also, short of a complete revolt by the electoral college, resignation, death or complete incapacity, Obama will be President.

 

[Master Mason]

This is correct. The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 states that in the event that neither Obama nor Biden can become President due to death, resignation, or removal, then Pelosi would become President, followed by Byrd. If both of them were incapacitated, then it would fall to the Secretary of State. However, Clinton has not been approved as Secretary of State by the Senate.

Also, short of a complete revolt by the electoral college, resignation, death or complete incapacity, Obama will be President.

Yep if it got to Sec State, Condi Rice is the current Sec State.

 

[Strangeite]

Yep if it got to Sec State, Condi Rice is the current Sec State.

That is true. However, there are two different things that could happen, depending on timing. If this unthinkable act occurred BEFORE the electoral college votes this month, then they can vote for whomever they want. If it happens AFTER they vote, then it would fall to the current Secretary of State; however, Bush can appoint whomever he wants to Secretary of State before January 20. Obviously they would have to be confirmed in a Democratically controlled Senate.

However, the above scenerio about what happens if the tragedy occurs after the electoral college votes should be taken with a grain of salt, because the 1947 Act does NOT specifically deal with this scenerio and a court challenge would obviously be filed. This would shoot straight to the SCOTUS. If we had a 5-4 breakdown similar to Bush v Gore (which I don't think would happen, Roberts is smart enough to know that it would HAVE to be a unanimous decesion) then all hell breaks loose in the country and the people will immediately call for a new Constitutional Convention. We haven't had one of those in a while but I would wager my life savings that it would happen given the above situation.

 

[Strangeite]

However, the above scenerio about what happens if the tragedy occurs after the electoral college votes should be taken with a grain of salt, because the 1947 Act does NOT specifically deal with this scenerio and a court challenge would obviously be filed. This would shoot straight to the SCOTUS. If we had a 5-4 breakdown similar to Bush v Gore (which I don't think would happen, Roberts is smart enough to know that it would HAVE to be a unanimous decesion) then all hell breaks loose in the country and the people will immediately call for a new Constitutional Convention. We haven't had one of those in a while but I would wager my life savings that it would happen given the above situation.

But now that I think about it, if the above happened, we would be in such a mess (think total nuclear armegeddon) that people will be too worried about staying alive to give two hoots about a federal government.

 

[Master Mason]

But now that I think about it, if the above happened, we would be in such a mess (think total nuclear armegeddon) that people will be too worried about staying alive to give two hoots about a federal government.

I agree, the chances of Obama, Biden, Pelosi and Byrd all being whiped out is astronomical. Interesting for mind games, but not much else.

 

[Master Mason]

But now that I think about it, if the above happened, we would be in such a mess (think total nuclear armegeddon) that people will be too worried about staying alive to give two hoots about a federal government.

I've got a good one for you though.

I have a brother of my lodge that turns 100 on Feb 1, when his brother turned 100 we got him bday greetings from all the elected officials. So I wanted to do the same. The current Whitehouse will not accept the request, because he won't be there then, and the office of the president elect will not accept the request, because he is not the president yet. So somehow I need to find a way to get the request in and filled between Jan 20 and Feb 1. grrrrrr

 

[Minnie-n-Mickey4ever]

If neither Obama or Biden could take office, then I am fairly certain that Pelosi would become president.

God forbid Pelosi become president! That woman irritates me as much as Palin does.

Just my opinion.

 

[Strangeite]

I've got a good one for you though.

I have a brother of my lodge that turns 100 on Feb 1, when his brother turned 100 we got him bday greetings from all the elected officials. So I wanted to do the same. The current Whitehouse will not accept the request, because he won't be there then, and the office of the president elect will not accept the request, because he is not the president yet. So somehow I need to find a way to get the request in and filled between Jan 20 and Feb 1. grrrrrr

If it was me, I would call the Chief of Staff of the Representative of your district, explain the situation to him or her and ask for them to intervene on your behalf. It would be a fairly simple matter for the Chief of Staff to be in touch with the President-Elects office that circumnavigates the "regular" channels that we have to use.

The same can be tried with your two Senators, but it will be much easier to get the Chief of Staff of your Representative on the phone. You might even suggest that this "constitutional dilemma" would make a great news story for the local paper. It should be easy for them to solve and good press for everyone.

 

[Master Mason]

If it was me, I would call the Chief of Staff of the Representative of your district, explain the situation to him or her and ask for them to intervene on your behalf. It would be a fairly simple matter for the Chief of Staff to be in touch with the President-Elects office that circumnavigates the "regular" channels that we have to use.

The same can be tried with your two Senators, but it will be much easier to get the Chief of Staff of your Representative on the phone. You might even suggest that this "constitutional dilemma" would make a great news story for the local paper. It should be easy for them to solve and good press for everyone.

I tried Fienstiens office, they said they couldn't do anything so I gave up on it, but I'll try the Reps office. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Strangeite]

I tried Fienstiens office, they said they couldn't do anything so I gave up on it, but I'll try the Reps office. Thanks for the idea.

Find out who is the Chief of Staff ahead of time and ask for them by name. Otherwise you will end up talking to an intern.

 

[eliza61]

I agree, the chances of Obama, Biden, Pelosi and Byrd all being whiped out is astronomical. Interesting for mind games, but not much else.

Wasn't this the basis of a comedy many years ago with John Goodman called King Ralph? Some thing happen to the monarchy in England that wiped out the entire royal family and the next in line was John Goodman

Man I watch way to much cable.

 

[Master Mason]

Wasn't this the basis of a comedy many years ago with John Goodman called King Ralph? Some thing happen to the monarchy in England that wiped out the entire royal family and the next in line was John Goodman

Man I watch way to much cable.

Yea but I liked that movie, it was sappy but fun.

 

[TheGoofster]

This is correct. The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 states that in the event that neither Obama nor Biden can become President due to death, resignation, or removal, then Pelosi would become President, followed by Byrd. If both of them were incapacitated, then it would fall to the Secretary of State. However, Clinton has not been approved as Secretary of State by the Senate.

Also, short of a complete revolt by the electoral college, resignation, death or complete incapacity, Obama will be President.

Thanks for the explanation.