Krugman speculates how there just might be a Democratic president in January 2019

[kpete]

I generally stay clear of Russiagate, even though they look guilty as hell, bc I have no expertise. I don't even write much about the self-dealing of Trump and others. But the news that the RNC seems to have been paying off Pence's nephew gives me a weird thought 1/

Link to tweet

Suppose this really does take Trump down before the end of his term; and suppose (much less likely, but still) that Pence goes down too. Then it's the Speaker of the House, right? But by January that may well be a Democrat. Bizarre. But possible? 2/

Link to tweet

via:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/2/24/1744585/-Krugman-speculates-how-there-just-might-be-a-Democratic-president-in-January-2019

[Xipe Totec]

1. Constitution does not require the Speaker to be a Member of the House

So, perhaps, they could elect Hillary Clinton speaker?

[NightWatcher]

3. Imagine the sound of a few million trumphumpers' heads exploding.

Starting in November it will be interesting to see who starts making moves in Democratic Leadership.

I'd love to see an "Electoral Justice" movement to restore power to the legitimate winner of the election.

[Demsrule86]

5. No...lets keep it simple. Nancy Pelosi will be just fine.

[Xipe Totec]

8. You have your fantasies, I have mine. nt

[PDittie]

9. *ahem*

[Xipe Totec]

12. *cough*

[SunSeeker]

2. Make it so. Please. nt

[MichMary]

4. This would require

that both Trump and Pence would be simultaneously convicted in the Senate and removed from office, (which is mathematically impossible.) If Trump were to be removed, and Pence even only 15 minutes later, you can bet his ONE act would be to nominate a VP. Who would be a Republican.

This. Can't. Happen. I don't understand why someone as smart as Krugman doesn't understand that.

[Demsrule86]

6. It could happen if a deal was reached to avoid prosecution.

I think Ryan, Nunes and some other GOP types are in on the Russian Scandal. They could face charges too.

[MichMary]

7. They would probably fall on their sword

Take one for the team, and all. Can't see it happening.

[PDittie]

10. +1

[shanny]

11. Could happen.

Nominated VP would still have to be approved by majority votes in both houses of Congress.

'Course the Ds in Congress would have to play R-style hardball--which they never have--so most likely we wouldn't end up with the Speaker stepping up. Still, it is possible.

[MichMary]

13. If that would happen

I hate to think of the consequences. I assume that if the Congress wouldn't approve a legitimately nominated VP, which would only happen if the vote was 50/50 in the Senate, then the Speaker would probably become President. But, could Pence, as sitting VP break the tie? Probably not, since he would be president. Sounds like a real Constitutional crisis.

[shanny]

14. Everything is a constitutional crisis these days.

But if this were to occur at all, it would only happen after the 2018 election, if both houses change hands, and when a Democrat is Speaker. And if we need a new VP, then by definition Pence wouldn't be VP and wouldn't have a vote in the Senate. As for a "legitimately nominated VP", who sets the standard for that? Preznit tRump and the minions? New preznit Pence who is likely also implicated and possibly under indictment?

Regardless, the RW will call it a coup and lose what's left of their minds.

[MichMary]

15. "legitimately nominated"

as per the Constitution. The 25th Amendment states:

Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

The biggest problem with the whole scenario is that it would take 2/3 of the Senate to convict, and you know the Rs will vote straight party line, no matter what. There is no way that we will have 67 votes. 1/3 of the Senate is up for a vote every 2 years. This year of the 33 seats on the line, only 8 are currently held by Republicans. Democrats are defending 23 seats. The only thing that could conceivably happen that would lead to Ds having the kind of majority needed would be massive Republican resignations. Not going to happen.

[shanny]

16. I know what the Constitution says. In this instance

I can't say that "what the preznit wants" might induce Congress to rubberstamp his choices.

As to what could remove them both, it is certainly a long shot. I can see tRump quitting--taking his ball and going home--if presidenting gets much harder (as it would with a real shellacking in the midterms). What it would take to be rid of Pence is beyond me, he is certainly impervious to shame as are the rest of the pukes...but maybe even they (a few anyway) will be able to read the omens.

They only care about power, after all, and if the midterm outcome is as bad as it potentially could be, some might start pretending to be patriotic again.

[MichMary]

17. The Constitution always

has to be the final authority. There is no way, under our form of government, to usurp the Constitution. It is up to the SC to interpret the Constitution, but I can't see Alito, Gorsuch, Roberts, etc. to being the stand-up guys they'd need to be to find anything other than that the Prez, whomever it might be at the moment, to nominate a VP.

And, if Trump resigns, Pence will be President.

[shanny]

19. Duh.

The preznit can nominate whoever he wants. Congress can approve, or not. And the Supremes have nothing to say one way or the other.

[tritsofme]

18. If you really game it out, getting GOP votes to convict would be dependent on this scenario not

happening.

If Pence was truly at risk, he would resign, and and a new VP confirmed, ala Gerald Ford, that everyone would recognize as likely to become president.

Republican senators simply would not vote to convict if it made Nancy Pelosi president, but would be more likely to cooperate if it was assured that a Republican would finish the term.