Is there any provision in the Constitution for a President to be declared insane?

[hisownpetard]

Seriously, folks - ya know, people who have been heavy drinkers can get Alzheimers at an early age.

If such a circumstance did occur, who would have the power to decide that the President needed to be examined?
And what if - just, what if - a sitting President were to be declared legally insane or mentally incompetent?
How many Democrats - er, I mean, DOCTORS - would have to sign off before the diagnosis was accepted as fact?

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Yes, the 25 ammendment

[daninthemoon]

3. Interesting, but in our current situation that would require Darth Cheney

to assume the office, after agreeing to bushler's removal. Impeach him first.


Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. You asked and I gave you the anwer

though I could make the argument that Chenney is also unfit to assume the presidency for health reasons

[okoboji]

6. a bit off topic ... but ....

I thought some anonymous dude on the internet was predicting that Darth Cheney was going to resign. I guess that was just too much to hope for wasn't it?

[rasputin1952]

7. Under Section 3....

bush could send the President pro tempore of the Senate a note saying, "hey, I'm a little nuts."

Under Section 4....cheney and the Cabinet can write to Pesident pro Tempore of the Senate, "hey, the president is a littel nuts."

Either/or both.

And voila! cheney can become president!

Holy shit, this story just gets worse!...:scared:

[Kutjara]

2. Doesn't someone have to have a mind in order to be capable of mental illness?

Chimpy would easily slip through on this loophole.

[hisownpetard]

4. Oh, yeah. Damn!!