IJPSD

ISSN: 2360-784X

 International Journal of Political Science and Development
 

International Journal of Political Science and Development

Vol. 8(7), pp. 340-343, August, 2020. 

DOI: 10.14662/IJPSD2020.240

ISSN: 2360-784X

Review

A New Speaker Rises—Could Wilson, Polk, and Article 1 Section 2 help map an early Biden ascendancy?

Charles A. Sills¹ and E. S. Sills²

¹ Arts & Sciences Faculty (PhD student), American University of Beirut; Beirut Lebanon

² Graduate School, University of Westminster; London UK

^*  Correspondence to:  College Hall, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh; Beirut 1107 2020 Lebanon   ccs06@mail.aub.edu  ( +1 678-372-2856

Accepted 31 August 2020

The American political climate now features at least three worrisome storms: 1) unresolved racial inequality and cultural unrest, 2) the Covid-19 pandemic, and 3) economic depression accompanied by high unemployment. Against this background, limited media reports (thus far, all repudiated) have speculated that the President might resign or withdraw his candidacy to allow the country to move forward quickly under new leadership. One published variation explores a Vice Presidential resignation after Election Day, with replacement by the President-elect as the then-validated winner of the 2020 Presidential contest. The new Vice President then rises to the Presidency when the incumbent President also resigns. Crucially, this scenario requires coordinated participation of both President and Senate. Records reveal President Wilson considered a similar step-aside for his opponent Charles Evans Hughes, had Wilson’s 1916 reelection failed. The current analysis considers a non-responsive executive branch, outlining a longshot Congressional bypass: President and Vice President are both impeached with prompt Senate conviction. However, before these offices are vacated, the U.S. House would convene in special session to name the President-elect as Speaker, using its Article 1 Section 2 powers which do not require the Speaker be an incumbent member. This approach puts the President-elect (as Speaker) in line for Presidential succession, irrespective of White House cooperation. As the prospect of Presidential election results being disregarded or challenged must be contemplated, atypical options warrant discussion with a view to preserve civil order and avoid government crisis.  Here, selected contemporary issues, historical factors, and Constitutional mechanisms concerning a Speaker-to-President transition are outlined.

Key words: election; U.S. Constitution; Presidency; succession