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From: Paul S Person <psperson@old.netcom.invalid>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
Subject: Re: (ReacTor) Five SF Scenarios Involving the US Presidential Line of Succession
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2024 08:55:34 -0700
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On 8 Oct 2024 14:16:07 -0000, jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

>Five SF Scenarios Involving the US Presidential Line of Succession
>
>The American Presidential Line of Succession determines who replaces=20
>a suddenly absent President. More importantly, it is an invaluable=20
>narrative tool.
>
>https://reactormag.com/five-sf-scenarios-involving-the-presidential-line=
-of-succession/

I've occasionally wondered: in the event of a complete wipeout not
actually destroying the entire USA, so that most States could replace
their Senators and Representatives, would whichever of the Senate (by
electing a President Pro Tempore) or the House (by electing a
Speaker), depending on which is faster, actually be electing a
President of the USA?

As to maintaining order, I suspect the highest ranking military
officer would temporarily assume de facto control. As opposed to, say,
one of the Federal Attorneys scattered around the country. The
military does have one advantage: there is /always/ someone who
outranks everybody else, so "who takes charge?" is clear.

Once a President exists, of course, the rest of the gummint (with the
advice and consent of the Senate, of course) would follow, and the DoD
could be put back under civilian control.
--=20
"Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"