Comments on: Who’s Next? A Look at Presidential Succession

By: cyclon pro tem

cyclon pro tem — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:01:00 +0000

“Is what’s listed the entire line? I ask because the 12 Colonies apparently have a longer line . . . Laura Roslin was 47th in line, I believe (or some ridiculously large number like that). At least we know that lineage thing works . . . at least in science fiction.”

If we assume that each colony had a president, vp, cabinet, etc… each planet would have at least 4 to 12 int he line. If the president of the colonies dies, the VP, would assume, and once they run out of officers in the Colonies, then I would assume that the presidents of the individual colonies would be in line, followed by the VP, etc… So in reality, 47 seems kinda high for Roslyn, probably should be closer to 156th in line.

By: Maz2331

Maz2331 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:52:57 +0000

Always good to know how this one works!

By: Will

Will — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:49:44 +0000

this is a test

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:11:52 +0000

I also agree that “Designated Survivor” is the coolest term I’ve ever read.

Does anyone know if that is the official term or if Mr. Soniak made it up. Either way, it is still cool!

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:02:19 +0000

10 years limitation is designed so that if the VP (or anyone else in the line of succession) becomes president, they may run for 2 full terms if they serve less than half of the term they take over. So in that example, he would be ineligible to run a second time.

By: KJ

KJ — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:41:02 +0000

In a quiz on the Constitution in the newspaper, it says that a President can serve a maximum of 10 years.

So my question is this:
Suppose Pres X dies in the first month of office and the VP Y becomes president and serves out the term of 3 years, 11 months. Then he goes on to win two elections. Do we have to have a special election in the middle of his 2nd term? Or is he ineligable to run a 2nd time?

I don’t understand the 10 years limitation.

By: pc

pc — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:30:02 +0000

“Sprio” should be Spiro Agnew.

I only know Agnew as the headless body of Agnew, from Futurama. Aroo

By: leslie

leslie — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:25:21 +0000

That’s the size of every list I’ve seen. I teach Govt, so I have all kinds of useless/interesting trivia like that lying around.
Right now I’m checking on that prez-elect question. I believe that if the electoral college has met (Dec 16) then the elected VP would take over, since the vote has been cast and confirmed. If he died between Nov 5 and Dec 16, I don’t know what would happen. The electors MUST meet in December, and THAT is the official vote, not the one in November.

So, maybe the electors would be able to vote for whomever… they are always chosen from the winning party, but some states do not have laws requiring electors to vote the way the state voted, and the Constitution doesn’t require it, either…things could get pretty weird.

By: nutmeag

nutmeag — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:24:38 +0000

I agree, “Designated Survivor” is the most awesomest term ever.

Is what’s listed the entire line? I ask because the 12 Colonies apparently have a longer line . . . Laura Roslin was 47th in line, I believe (or some ridiculously large number like that). At least we know that lineage thing works . . . at least in science fiction. :-D

By: dagwud

dagwud — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:15:20 +0000

President Roslyn was head
of the Department of Ed
before the Cylon in bed
helped make everyone dead.

(Apologies for the rhyming mood).