The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[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]

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.

[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?

[sleepyjeff]

I could get excited by Gingrich(the only true fiscal conservative on either list) save for my nagging doubt that he is really serious about running....probably just trying to sell more books.

[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.

[Nephythys]

Don't you think they should govern something before considering running?

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Don't you think they should govern something before considering running?

Nope. I think they should have appropriate experience for the job, which can be obtained through other political service, but can also be obtained through other avenues. I don't think there's a magic formula. Should candidates have to be a senator first? How many terms? Should they have to have been a governor? What about a 20-year member of the House of Representatives? At the state level, we've seen candidates from the Land of Business who are lauded for their success in the business world AND their lack of "contamination" from conventional political roles.

Heck, I think that philosophy applies to any job. There's rarely only one way to acquire the necessary skills and connection. If 1/2-term senator A can name that tune in 3 notes and 2-term governor B needs 5 notes, then senator A wins my game of Name that Tune.

[CoasterMatt]

Chicken Hawk-In-Chief George W. seems to be doing the opposite - the longer he stays in office, the less he seems capable of doing.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Don't you think they should govern something before considering running?

Like, for instance, the Screen Actors' Guild.

If you're looking at executive experience, Gore is obviously the most qualified. You can say most Veeps don't have real power, but Gore was more involved in things than Bush Sr. (or George Bosh, as Reagan called him at the 1988 convention). Further, if kind of being around while the president makes decisions qualifies as experience, Hillary is the second most qualified. This is probably why voters feel comfortable voting for the wives of dead politicians (The Widows Bono, Carnahan, etc.) And let's not forget Edith Wilson, who really ran the show for a while.