With all this talk about security, remember Pelosi (as Speaker) is only assumed to be 2ed in line

[RB TexLa]

to the Presidency. The constitutional status of The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 placing people who in the constitution are expressly not "officers of the United States" in line for the presidency has not yet been determined.

[bryant69]

1. I assume that that situation won't actually come up

Be interesting if it did, but i have to say I hope we can avoid it (assuming we can't get Bush impeached, of course).

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[RB TexLa]

2. It could have most recently in 1981

The question of Bush not being in contact with the White House, thusly incapacitated from office. Tip O'Neil could have resigned to become acting President, and Al Haig could have walked right into the Supreme Court to file suit. Actually he could have just taken the oath of office from a judge the moment the cabinet voted that neither Reagan or Bush could execute the office. Both he and O'Neil could have taken oaths and there you go.

[TheWraith]

3. As far as I'm aware, it's never been challenged, and I doubt it really could be. NT.

[RB TexLa]

4. Of course it hasn't been challenged, no one has had standing to challenge it yet.

And I would bet it will be challenged the first time it is used, especially if it is a situation with differing parties.