Tinfoil Alert: Assassination before Inauguration?

[LiberalTechie1337]

Out of curiosity, what would happen if both John Kerry and John Edwards were assassinated after the election but before being sworn into office? Would the Speaker of the House become President on January 20? Would there be another election? I'm wondering because the wingnuts will stop at nothing to remain in power, and I wouldn't put this past them.

[liberalmuse]

1. If that were to happen...

it wouldn't matter. We'd have a full-blown revolution. It sure as hell better not.

[aquart]

2. If we take the House, then Nancy Pelosi could be President.

Except that they never bother if that was a possibility.

So I suggest you get to work on the congressional elections.

[salonghorn70]

3. Interesting, Yet Morbid Question

One factor to consider would be whether it happened before or after the Electoral College meets. If it happened before the Electoral College meets, then electors may be able to vote for another individual, It would probably depend on state law. If it happened after the Electoral College meets, then I think that under the Constitution the office of President and Vice President would be vacant and the Speaker of the House would assume the office of President and would appoint the VP.

[DemWitch]

4. yet a mysterious plane crash?

seems they're very popular these days among Democratic Politicians that are ahead in the polls...

[RoyGBiv]

5. This has been asked before...

It depends partly on when it occurs. If it happens before the electoral votes are actually counted, then the electors could coordinate to fix on another candidate. If they couldn't reach a majority, possibly due to state law preventing electors for voting for anyone other than the candidate to whom their votes are committed, then standard rules would apply, and the selection of President would be thrown into the House.

If it occurred after the electoral vote, then the Speaker of the House would serve as President.

The first reply actually probably gives the correct answer: full-scale revolution.

[Dookus]

6. No

the speaker doesn't automatically become President.

The XX amendment provides for such a case, but just says Congress may by law decide what to do.

3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.