So who do you think "President" Mackenzie Allen's VP pick is?

[CTyankee]

A little bit of Wes Clark, altho I like Clark too much to push that characterization too far.

I know, I know, with all the sh*t we have to worry about, why bother. I like the show and I can dream of better days...

[madmax]

1. His qualifications sound like Clark

but, he seems coarse compared to Wes. I met Wes in NYC in 2004 - he's a gem. :hi:

[SCDem]

2. That's what I was thinking of Clark

I was thinking Wes Clark from the start. But not exactly... he'll probably end up being a number of politicians we like or hate depending on what his stance is.

A Vice President needs to be confirmed by the senate?

[madmax]

3. A Vice President needs to be confirmed by the senate?

I was wondering the same thing last night.

[Connie_Corleone]

6. That's what they did in The Contender.

The VP has to be confirmed when he/she is not elected into office, I assume.

[davepc]

7. 25th Amendment

Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

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.

Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principle officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.


http://www.house.gov/Constitution/Amend.html

[SCDem]

9. Thanks

So In the West Wing episode where Bartlet invoked the 25th did there have to be a VP named for that short time and if there was in the show did they talk about confirming the VP?

[davepc]

14. my memory is all fuzzy on that

I *think* that they were dragging their feet on naming a replacement after the VP resigned, and then the whole stepping down thing happened which let the Republican Speaker become President.

John Goodman never talked about naming a VP as far as I remeber, since that whole plot line was resolved pretty quickly it never was an issue.

Then not to long after that they had a few episode arc where they brough in Bingo Bob.


In real life, since there is no time table specified by the 25th, the President could never name a VP if he didn't want too..making the Speaker the defacto VP. But I think there would be some intense pressure brought to bare to name one. I think the public wouldent stand for not having a VP for any length of time.

[mcscajun]

16. Goodman's character did talk about VP...but you're right.

as it turned out, there wasn't enough time to get that done by Acting President Walken.

[mcscajun]

15. The constitution is silent on timing.

Bartlet needed a VP, but not to invoke the 25th.

There was conversation about confirmation of their VP during vetting of the possible nominees.

[madmax]

13. Thanks davepc

:hi:

[davepc]

4. I've been disappointed by the show

The writing just isn't that good. I actually find the storyline of the 1st Gentlemen to be the most compelling one.

Also, whats with the newly sworn in President shaking down an African country? I thought threating other nations to act how we want them to act under threat of invasion was a Bush thing.

Shouldn't this topic be in the lounge?

[CTyankee]

8. I thought about that

before posting. However, I was really asking about the real life model for this character. There are some interesting responses, including yours, both here and another thread I discovered after posting this.

The show is, after all, entertainment so we can't get too exercised over the plot lines.

[SCDem]

11. I'm impressed with the show

It is not West Wing but a show like West Wing only comes once in a blue moon. I am enjoying the show and sometimes find myself saying if this were West Wing would the lighting be different or dialogue or whatever. But overall I really enjoy the show.

[mattclearing]

12. Yeah, well on that note, I thought Clark matched the description as well.

[Connie_Corleone]

5. His qualifications are almost exactly like Clark's.

But his personality isn't Clark.

[mattclearing]

10. Watched about half the episode last night .

Baseball pre-empted House, so we decided to check it out.

Any Oval Office show has to at least be in the same ball park with the West Wing as far as I'm concerned, and I was not impressed. Acting, writing, situations all seemed ridiculous.

Like any congresswoman is seriously going to strongarm the President on anything, much less her VP pick. That was lame.

[zbdent]

17. I thought the voice was familiar, and when he turned around, he

reminded me of a tall Kucinich . . . talk about your mind doing things to you . . .

I had thought that she was pulling a fast one on everybody, including the viewers.

At least she had the balls to call the guy's bluff . . .