A potential VP succession problem for Dems

[RobertU]

If Biden does beat Trump but later resigns to give the presidency to Kamala Harris, the Democrats could face a succession problem. Any Harris nomination for her VP choice would have to be approved by a majority in both houses of Congress. If either house is captured by the Republicans, the GOP could deny Harris a vice president. If the GOP retains the House, the Republican Speaker of the House would then become next in line to succeed Harris.

 

[Ginger Ale]

This is another reason Joe should bow out right now and pass the torch, IMO.

 

[j brown's body]

Moses in the White House.

 

[MamboDervish]

Moses in the White House.

Very useful if we ever need to part the Red Sea.

 

[phoenix2020]

If Biden does beat Trump but later resigns to give the presidency to Kamala Harris, the Democrats could face a succession problem. Any Harris nomination for her VP choice would have to be approved by a majority in both houses of Congress. If either house is captured by the Republicans, the GOP could deny Harris a vice president. If the GOP retains the House, the Republican Speaker of the House would then become next in line to succeed Harris.

Interesting and good point. MAGA would never allow the appointment of any non-MAGA VP.

 

[Stealers Wheel]

OK, so the assumption is that if either house is controlled by the opposing party, they will automatically vote to oppose any nominee.

This may be true, based on the behavior of the senate during the Obama years. They automatically (on orders from McConnell) voted against every bill supported by Obama, even bills originally from the GOP. Additionally, McConnell wielded awesome power when he denied Obama a nominee for SCOTUS. And, if the House is the one controlled, the Speaker is first in line to ascend to the WH.

The only solution would be to have the SOH assassinated so that the line of succession then goes to the secretary of state. Since assassination of a top government official is a federal crime, the new president would then, in their capacity as president, pardon the assassin.

Yeah, we're pretty much done as a republic. The same thing essentially happened to the Romans. They had a much longer run than we did, though.

 

[BirdinHand]

If Biden does beat Trump but later resigns to give the presidency to Kamala Harris, the Democrats could face a succession problem. Any Harris nomination for her VP choice would have to be approved by a majority in both houses of Congress. If either house is captured by the Republicans, the GOP could deny Harris a vice president. If the GOP retains the House, the Republican Speaker of the House would then become next in line to succeed Harris.

This is another reason Joe should bow out right now and pass the torch, IMO.

And?

We have the House currently controlled by the GOP.

So either way, same scenario.

 

[Helix]

I wonder if a president Harris could illegally appoint her VP as an "official act." Republicans like "official acts," so they shouldn't have any issue with it.

 

[noonereal]

If Biden does beat Trump but later resigns to give the presidency to Kamala Harris, the Democrats could face a succession problem. Any Harris nomination for her VP choice would have to be approved by a majority in both houses of Congress. If either house is captured by the Republicans, the GOP could deny Harris a vice president. If the GOP retains the House, the Republican Speaker of the House would then become next in line to succeed Harris.

The problem in Harris not a VP.

 

[Rich2018]

If Biden does beat Trump but later resigns to give the presidency to Kamala Harris, the Democrats could face a succession problem. Any Harris nomination for her VP choice would have to be approved by a majority in both houses of Congress. If either house is captured by the Republicans, the GOP could deny Harris a vice president. If the GOP retains the House, the Republican Speaker of the House would then become next in line to succeed Harris.

Just because Kamala becomes president by default doesn't mean she's the automatic candidate for 2028

The goal is to stop the Republicans, and specifically Trump.

 

[Risky Thicket]

I wonder if a president Harris could illegally appoint her VP as an "official act." Republicans like "official acts," so they shouldn't have any issue with it.

That's a thought. Seems that under the SC ruling President Harris can simply skirt the 25th Amendment and appoint a VP.

With that understanding and that knowledge she would/should have leverage over the MAGA GOP. She could make her first nomination and when MAGAs sit on it and shuck and jive she can appoint her choice. Hold that possibility over their heads.

 

[Rich2018]

That's a thought. Seems that under the SC ruling President Harris can simply skirt the 25th Amendment and appoint a VP.

With that understanding and that knowledge she would/should have leverage over the MAGA GOP. She could make her first nomination and when MAGAs sit on it and shuck and jive she can appoint her choice. Hold that possibility over their heads.

That doesn't mean she would necessarily be the Democrat candidate for 2028.

 

[Risky Thicket]

That doesn't mean she would necessarily be the Democrat candidate for 2028.

I agree. She'd have to make it to and through November 2024 first.

At the present I believe she could and would compete well with Trump. She is certainly smarter, more experienced, more politically seasoned and more affable than Donald Trump. With the team Biden has assembled behind her I'd be comfortable with Kamala.

 

[Checkerboard Strangler]

There is no VP succession problem because as POTUS Harris could assassinate a GOP Veep and walk free because it was an official act.
God is this ruling going to bite them on the ass or what...

 

[acco40]

If Biden does beat Trump but later resigns to give the presidency to Kamala Harris, the Democrats could face a succession problem. Any Harris nomination for her VP choice would have to be approved by a majority in both houses of Congress. If either house is captured by the Republicans, the GOP could deny Harris a vice president. If the GOP retains the House, the Republican Speaker of the House would then become next in line to succeed Harris.

Why on Earth would Republicans deny Harris her choice for Vice President?

 

[acco40]

The problem in Harris not a VP.

Well at least the problem isn’t out Harris. ;-)

 

[gbg3]

Why on Earth would Republicans deny Harris her choice for Vice President?

I don't think either party would deny the other party their choice for VP in such a scenario.

 

[RobertU]

Why on Earth would Republicans deny Harris her choice for Vice President?

Why on Earth would Republicans deny Obama his choice for a Supreme Court justice?

 

[yankintx]

If Biden does beat Trump but later resigns to give the presidency to Kamala Harris, the Democrats could face a succession problem. Any Harris nomination for her VP choice would have to be approved by a majority in both houses of Congress. If either house is captured by the Republicans, the GOP could deny Harris a vice president. If the GOP retains the House, the Republican Speaker of the House would then become next in line to succeed Harris.

All the current projectiins show the GOP loosing there razor thin House majority in November.

It's pie in the sky

 

[Rich2018]

I agree. She'd have to make it to and through November 2024 first.

At the present I believe she could and would compete well with Trump. She is certainly smarter, more experienced, more politically seasoned and more affable than Donald Trump. With the team Biden has assembled behind her I'd be comfortable with Kamala.

Yes, I agree
And while Kamala doesn't have a great public image, it's nowhere near as bad as Hilary's is or as toxic as Trump's
It's a question of just how many independents she's turn off.

 

[Superfly]

Why on Earth would Republicans deny Harris her choice for Vice President?

Because they are dicks?

 

[Rich2018]

Because they are dicks?

And it's an automatic reflex for them.