what if a political party's official president nominee died during the campaign?

[msongs]

do we suppose there is an official policy in place in the political parties? Can an election be delayed? does the Vice Presidential candidate become the presidential candidate? then who would become the new VP candidate on the ticket? anybody know?

Msongs

[frogcycle]

1. an intriguing question

My guess is that there is no set policy. I expect any replacement candidate would have to do the necessary stuff to get on the ballot - there is no "order of succession" defined like for a sitting pres. So the VP candidate of that party might be the only one possible. I am sure the VP candidate would be whomever the new P candidate wanted, like when McGovern replaced Eagleton.

Given the propensity for parties to run people for VP who could never win on their own (Quayle, Cheney) this would seem a potential trap. OTOH, if the vp candidate was at least a candidate for pres - say like Gore w/Clinton - then the succession would make sense.

[tavalon]

2. That is an intriguing question

I hope the wonks come out to discuss this one. I have no answer, just a great interest in what the answer may be. I recommended in hopes that a larger audience of wonks will see this. Bravo on the thinking cap.

[seriousstan]

3. It is totally up to the party.

They could have a special convention, take the second place person or do rock, paper, scissors. They probably could get the election date moved back but that would take bipartisan support.

[CK_John]

4. There is a procedure in place, remember Eagleton was replaced as VP. The

convention puts in place a candidate replacement committee for such problems.

[whistle]

5. Like who?