how does the attorney general ensure continuity of government?

[teryang]

CNN just reported that in the event of a terrorist attack, cabinet member AG Alberto Gonzales will not attend the SOTU address in the chamber.

Does anyone know if he is in the line of succession? Wouldn't surviving members of Congress appoint a new VP and President if the line of succession were lost? Or are they just presenting a horrible scenario to make bush's drivel somehow more palatable?

[Kagemusha]

1. Uh, both houses keep at least one member away

If the surviving House appoints a Speaker, wouldn't that person take over temporarily?.. I don't understand the point of throwing Gonzales out there.

[sarge43]

4. Good point. n/t

[cloudbase]

2. The cabinet members

are in the line of succession.

[sarge43]

3. Yes the AG as a cabinet member is.

Someone from the line of succession is always absent from the SOTU just in case. There's no Constitutional provision for Congress to appoint a POTUS or VP.

[teryang]

6. Didn't they appoint Ford as VP?

if surviving members chose a new speaker of the house, isn't that person the President in the event that the POTUS and the VP somehow were lost at the same time?

[sarge43]

7. No, Nixon appointed Ford after Agnew bailed

Congress confirmed the appointment.

Again, good point about what remains of Congress chosing a new Speaker.

[teryang]

10. thanks n/t

:)

[originalpckelly]

5. He is the designated person in the line of succession, he will be President...

if they all get killed.

Yes, No Habeas Gonzales would be President. God let's hope nothing goes wrong.

[951-Riverside]

8. ...but he would be the first hispanic President.

:D

[Generator]

9. Oh funnypants!

Apparently this is Bush's sick joke. He KNOWS just how twisted Gonzalez really is. This is what he really thinks of America!!!!