Could bu$hco nullify the election results after an attack?

[maveric]

Kerry wins decisively, then in December we have an attack on US soil. The warning goes to red, martial law is declared...
Could this administration put the election results aside in the name of "National Security", and continue the bu$h presidency even after the inauguation date? Is there something in the patriot act that give them that power?

[Goldmund]

1. Me thinks...

...if that's what they're planning on doing, they'll do it before the election is ever held, not after.

[coloradodem2005]

2. Possibly.

Though, I don't think the American people will stand for it. If Kerry won decisively, and their was another attack, as little faith as I have in people to be brainwashed over 9/11, I don't think they will be brainwashed a second time. After all, didn't Bush make us safer? Another attack wouldn't help him.

[Walt Starr]

3. That's Plan "D"

Plan "A" = Diebold
Plan "B" = October Surprise rollout of Osama's body/
Plan "C" = Postpone Election
Plan "D" = Martial Law which nullifies the constitution and and all elections.

Any plan above which they believe they can get away with will be put in full force.

[Racenut20]

4. The Old Guard

The ones you saw doing RR's funeral, would arrest him and anyone else who was involved. He may be Commander in Chief, but the Army will always uphold the Constitution.

[MallRat]

6. Armed Forces Enlistment Oath.

"I, ___________________________________, do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed overme, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."


Allegiance to the Constitution comes before the President. Damn straight.

-MR

[MallRat]

5. Once the election is held, Bush can't really stop the transfer of power.

In a national emergency, Congress (read: the GOP-controlled Congress) would have the authority to change the election date.

If, for some reason, the election is rescheduled for sometime after January 20, 2005, Dick Cheney would become acting President, since Bush is not permitted to stay in office for more than 4 years without being re-(s)elected.

But once the election happens, if Kerry wins, he's in. The only thing the GOP could do then is reschedule the date of the electoral vote count in the Senate. The backlash from doing something that brazenly undemocratic might well destroy the Republican Party once and for all.

-MR