The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[wendybeth]

I doubt anyone in their right minds would think anything other than what the poor guy probably intended and I kind of pity him the backlash here. I also pity Seattle; they're always trying to do the PC thing and nearly always getting knocked for it. Seattle is really a pretty cool town and people who live there just want to make sure no one gets slighted in any situation. Unfortunately, there are times when common sense just sort of flies off the tarmac......

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Prudence

As of tonight they're putting the trees back. Once again, Seattle is proud to make the national wire.

Ohhh cool. Does this mean that I can finally get them to put up a giant black snake as a ode to Set?

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Happy Jewmas everyone!!

[Strangler Lewis]

Oy, tannenbaum!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Ironic ponderance of the day: What if Senator Tim Johnson ends up on a feeding tube?

[Alex]

I've been wondering the some thing. Which is sleezier:

Taking advantage of a death or medical incapacitation to give the seat to the other party (even though this is pretty much standard practice), or:

Keeping a person in office that can't represent his constituents to prevent that switch.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm not following this story in particular ... but what if he can't serve? Does the governor appoint someone, and is the governor of his state a Republican? Is there another election? What's the procedure.


Yeah, I'm too lazy to look it up. Sue me.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I'm not following this story in particular ... but what if he can't serve? Does the governor appoint someone, and is the governor of his state a Republican? Is there another election? What's the procedure.

The governor appoints a replacement for the remainder of the term (two years). It is a Republican governor so presumably he'd appoint a Republican.

This is pretty much standard practice. The last time this happened was in 2000 and the Democrat governor of Georgia appointed a Dem to replace a dead Republican.

However, so long as this guy is alive there is no mechanism in place to force his resignation. If he dies it is in the governor's hands but if he is alive and refuses (or his handlers refuse) to resign then he would technically be in office for the next two years but never participate. This too has been done before several times when senators have been medically incapacitated. I think the record is three years for time technically in office while performing no duties of office.

[Nephythys]

Iowa poll-
McCain 27
Giuliani 26
Romney 9
Gingrich 7
Rice 4

On the Dem side:

Edwards 22
Obama 22
Vilsack 12
Clinton 10
Gore 7

So- how are dems feeling about the choices out there. I know on the other side there is not a lot of excitment about some of the GOP choices.

How can anyone think Obama should run for anything (VP or POTUS) yet?

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

How can anyone think Obama should run for anything (VP or POTUS) yet?

I don't think of political positions as a conveyor belt through which potential candidates must move in the approved order. I don't think you have to serve a sufficient time in position X before you're eligible for position Y. I think it generally works out that it takes time to build up sufficient name recognition to make running for the office of President or VP a reasonable option (and if I were feeling grumpier I might vent about that seeming to be the only qualification needed/wanted these days), but I don't think "time in service" should be a limiting factor. Heck, I thought many people wanted fewer career politicians. Perhaps less exposure to D.C. or state politics could be an advantage?

That being said, I know little to nothing about any of the candidates on either side. It's just too depressing to think about right now. Plus, I tend to get charmed by one particular candidate, only to see them get snowed in the primary. I'm trying to resist heartbreak by not getting involved until the primaries are over, but given the vast political spectrum covered by my immediate family that's not likely to happen.