Cheney could seize the presidency per 25th amendment

[The Sushi Bandit]

Lets see if this is possible....

Invoking Section 4, Cheney takes the Presidency away from Bush by declaring him "mentally incapacitated" and the majority of the cabinet agreeing. Then if Bush tries to fight it and announces he is fit again, Cheney again declares him unfit, calls an emergency meeting of congress the same day (important point: while it is in recess) to get just the votes he needs (the loyal ones were waiting for this and did not go home) to stop any challenges to his power grab. This bypasses everyone, even the courts. This is a COUP that can happen here!

Background...

Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the 25th amendment provides means for the Vice President to become Acting President upon the temporary disability of the President. Section 3 deals with self declared incapacity of the president, and section 4 deals with incapacity declared by the joint action of the Vice President and of a majority of the Cabinet. While section 4 has never been invoked, section 3 has been invoked twice.

"Section 4 - If the President does not so declare, the Vice President, if satisfied that such inability exists, shall, upon the written approval of a majority of the heads of the executive departments in office, assume the discharge of the powers and duties of the office as Acting President."

"Section 5 - Whenever the President makes public announcement in writing that his inability has terminated, he shall resume the discharge of the powers and duties of his office on the seventh day after making such announcement, or at such earlier time after such announcement as he and the Vice President may determine. But if the Vice President, with the written approval of a majority of the heads of executive departments in office at the time of such announcement, transmits to the Congress his written declaration that in his opinion the President's inability has not terminated, the Congress shall thereupon consider the issue. If the Congress is not then in session, it shall assemble in special session on the call of the Vice President. If the Congress determines by concurrent resolution, adopted with the approval of two-thirds of the Members present in each House, that the inability of the President has not terminated, thereupon, notwithstanding any further announcement by the President, the Vice President shall discharge such powers and duties as Acting President until the occurrence of the earliest of the following events: (1) the Acting President proclaims that the President's inability has ended, (2) the Congress determines by concurrent resolution, adopted with the approval of a majority of the Members present in each House, that the President's inability has ended, or (3) the President's term ends."

[hippiechick]

1. Cheney's already President ... George's just a spokesmodel.

n/t

[tkmorris]

2. I have no idea what the point of that would be

As was already stated, Cheney has all the power he needs right now, without having to actually play front man. An election will occur in 2008 in any case, and he has about as much chance of winning that one as I do.

So why?

[serryjw]

3. WHY go through all the hoola-hoops

He is pResident and does whatever he wants now?/

[Erika]

4. I don't see how the Cheney family keeps on walking

The ice water in their veins must have some effect. They are about the coldest family to ever exist in government. Cheney shooting caged farm birds, Mary being gay when it politically suited her. These people are plain sick

[longship]

6. Cold blood? Not a problem for a reptilian.

As SwampRat would show, Cheney is not a mammal.

[Cobalt-60]

5. Seize this Honkus

I just had to use that line.
Why should he rock the boat when he's already giving the orders?

[razors edge]

7. where can Cheney go from here?

He obviosly injested Dr Jarvic and no longer has any need for a heart as we know it.

His major screw up in life was to buy john mansville while he was head of haliburt,

short of negating any further payments to those pesky trial lawyers for lung disease, he can only ride the the wave of defense contractors.

How much money can he make from that? :sarcasm:

[patricia92243]

8. 1. I'd rather have Bush than Cheney. 2. We would be going down a slipper

slippery slope. If this way of getting rid of a president is used - and works - you can bet the farm that it will be used over and over - thus ending what little democracy we have left.

If the Republicans quietly and behind the scenes talk George into spending more time with his family is one thing - going through legal channels is another - and we would still be stuck with Cheney.

[The Sushi Bandit]

9. Does anyone get it?? a Coup can happen here Legally!

The point is not if you think Cheney is too old or too comfortable or too not going to do it, it's a fact that the Sections 4, and 5 of the 25th amendment make it not only possible, but even tempting for someone like Cheney to pull it off.

the darker side is once the presidency is secured, He can start a war, declare marshal law, make DHS secretary the VP, ect...

This is some scary stuff

[insanerepubs]

10. It's not a coup

if it's allowed by the Constitution...besides it ain't gonna happen.