NYT Op-Ed: "Thanksgiving is next week. Bush could make it a really special holiday by resigning."

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Op-Ed Columnist
Time for Him to Go



By GAIL COLLINS
Published: November 22, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/opinion/22collins.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

Thanksgiving is next week, and President Bush could make it a really special holiday by resigning.

Seriously. We have an economy that’s crashing and a vacuum at the top. Bush — who is currently on a trip to Peru to meet with Asian leaders who no longer care what he thinks — hasn’t got the clout, or possibly even the energy, to do anything useful. His most recent contribution to resolving the fiscal crisis was lecturing representatives of the world’s most important economies on the glories of free-market capitalism.

Putting Barack Obama in charge immediately isn’t impossible. Dick Cheney, obviously, would have to quit as well as Bush. In fact, just to be on the safe side, the vice president ought to turn in his resignation first. (We’re desperate, but not crazy.) Then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would become president until Jan. 20. Obviously, she’d defer to her party’s incoming chief executive, and Barack Obama could begin governing.

As a bonus, the Pelosi presidency would put a woman in the White House this year after all. On the downside, a few right-wing talk-show hosts might succumb to apoplexy. That would, of course, be terrible, but I’m afraid we might have to take the risk in the name of a greater good.

Can I see a show of hands? How many people want George W. out and Barack in?

[lapfog_1]

1. President Pelosi

might even make some DU heads explode.

But I like it. Especially if she does everything that Obama wants.

But the question for Pelosi is, will she be Speaker once again after Obama is sworn in?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. If it worked the way it was stated, ok

but I would never want to have Cheney in charge.

[undeterred]

17. I think he's been in charge the whole time.

Assuming the presidency would make him more visible and he doesn't want that.

[roamer65]

3. Darth Cheney would step in for the next 2 months...NOOOOOO!!!!

Does anyone honestly think that Darth would pass up the chance at the reigns of power for 2 months? He could do a lot of damage then get out quickly. As much as I hate the Moron, he should stay right there until January 20th at this point.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

15. Nah...I think we're all in agreement that it would be an "either / or" deal...

...either Cheney goes first or it's no deal.

:patriot:

[liberal texan]

4. woodrow wilson planned

that if he lost the election on his second term he would make his opponent vice president and then resign in order to eliminate the lame duck period. This is what Bush could do.

[Bobbieo]

5. He's not leaving!!! He has some more uranium and gold mine leases and logging permits to hand out to

his corporate buddies

[crispini]

6. Heeheehee. Brilliant idea, not happening. nt

[dtotire]

7. It is a great idea, except"

According to the Constitution, Obama cannot begin his term until Jan. 20.



Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3rd day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

[stahbrett]

13. If Cheney resigned, Bush could appoint Obama VP, then Bush could resign

Not going to happen, but that scenario would result in Obama becoming President before January 20th.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

8. There's not much left to steal, but I am sure

that Chimpy and DicKKK can still find more ways to fuck up the country and tie Obama's hands over the next two months. They will continue to destroy until the last second.

[bluecollarcharlie]

9. I wish it could workout that way.......

.....it's obvious the old bubmler has checked out. The economic crisis has gotten worse, Paulson has no more hail marys to throw and even PelosiReid(i.e; worthless and feckless) dropped their balls(Although Reid dosen't really have any. Pelosi might.) and went home.
1/20/2009 can't get here fast enough.

[Stardust]

10. K&R! Well, that just made me smile. nt

[old mark]

11. Bush is still trying to fina an appropriate legacy to leave for the

American people.

How about New Orleans, George - We will remember that for a long time.

I know he won't really leave now, but we can always deram....

mark

[BrklynLiberal]

12. If there only was a way to move the Inauguration up 6 weeks!!!!

[pacalo]

14. Best op-ed I've read in a long time!

...we've been living a Technicolor version of "The Perils of Pauline." Detroit is tied to the railroad tracks and the train is coming! California’s state government is falling into the sea! The way we’re going now, by the time the inauguration rolls around, unemployment will be at 10 percent and the Dow will be at 10.

A big K&R!

[struggle4progress]

16. *waving hands furiously*

Me! Me! I do! Me!