Robert Gates will be at an undisclosed location in the event of a worst-case scenario tomorrow

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/washington/washington/entries/2009/01/19/the_worstcase_s.html

The worst-case scenario

By Ken Herman | Monday, January 19, 2009, 10:15 AM


Here’s something you don’t even want to think about. It comes by way of a statement from White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.

“In order to ensure continuity of government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been designated by the outgoing administration, with the concurrence of the incoming administration, to serve as the designated successor during Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20th.”

The “designated successor” become president in case of an Inauguration Day disaster that takes the lives of everybody else in the succession plan.

[Richard D]

1. You're right

I don't even want to think about that.

[no limit]

2. Shouldn't Obama be the one to pick this person?

[Statistical]

5. Sounds like it was a joint decision

“In order to ensure continuity of government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been designated by the outgoing administration, with the concurrence of the incoming administration, to serve as the designated successor during Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20th.”

Remember the Presidential succession still holds firm. Gates doesn't jump to the top of the list he simply will be one of the few high ranking officials not in DC to ensure if the worst happens we have a functional executive branch.

Since Obama is keeping Gates (the only person from Bush admin to stay?) it would make logical sense that Gates was chosen.

[Patsy Stone]

3. I was just coming to post that.

"And with just a day left of his term, President George W. Bush made calls from the White House to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and other world leaders to thank them for their work with him over the last eight years. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, meanwhile, was designated by the Bush administration to stay away from Tuesday's inaugural festivities "in order to ensure continuity of government," said Bush spokeswoman Dana Perino."

Here's the AP story: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJKgWvqj_NGE3zAYxnidI319krhgD95Q9SC80

ed: I was wrong.

[pleah]

4. Oh, fuck.

So, have they got plans in the works? :tinfoilhat:

[zorahopkins]

6. If ANYthing Happens, It Will Be Bush's Fault

I have to believe that if anything like this sort of disaster takes place, it will be because Bush either engineered it to happen (with the help of the evil Cheney), or because Bush was so lax (a result of either being terribly drunk or high on cocaine!)

[tanyev]

7. We already had worst-case scenarios on inauguration day 2001 and 2005.

[Dennis Donovan]

8. I'm glad there's a plan - although I wish it was someone other than Gates...

[Patsy Stone]

10. It could have been Cheney.

Just sayin'...

[Dennis Donovan]

11. I don't think so...

He is only VP until noon tomorrow. They needed someone who would hold the same position in the line of succession before and after noon tomorrow. I guess Nancy Pelosi's going to be at the inaugural, so Gates was probably the only choice.

[Patsy Stone]

12. I think it's always someone

from the outgoing administration. If the inauguration didn't happen, there would be no claim to an incoming cabinet member, especially if they weren't confirmed. I think they can can pick anyone in the current administration. But, I could be wrong.

[Dennis Donovan]

14. In 2000, no one was that concerned about an attack on the Inauguration...

...another thing to thank Bush for - we have more enemies than ever.

[Horse with no Name]

17. and most of them are republicans. n/t

[Nickster]

9. They don't mention that this is SOP. They always leave one Cabinet level member behind for this

type of scenario, nothing unusual about this.

[peacetalksforall]

13. What I don't like is the phrase - 'continuity of authority'. Remember the meetings

they had to determine a new chain of command in the event of another 9-11. They came up with their own - abandoning the plan we've had for a century to two.

[Davis_X_Machina]

19. Done for every SOTU address, as well. n/t

[lovuian]

15. I thought the Constitution had all this figured out

and no where did I see the Defense the heir apparent

[deadmessengers]

18. It's there.

The constitution specifies the VP is next. But then, it also says: "and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President" The Presidential Succession Act is that provision in law, and the SecDef is about 5th in line according to that law.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Succession_Act

[MiniMe]

20. I would expect Pelosi to be at the inauguration too

When the President gives the State of the Union address, there is always a cabinet secretary at an undisclosed location to assure continuation. Since Gates is part of Obama's cabinet, it makes sense, unfortunately.

[Horse with no Name]

16. What about the Constitution?

In other words...if something terrible happens....they retain power?
Has this doomsday Inaugeration Plan ever been done before?