Re: (ReacTor) Five SF Scenarios Involving the US Presidential Line of Succession

On 10/8/24 08:55, Paul S Person wrote:

On 8 Oct 2024 14:16:07 -0000, jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
 

Five SF Scenarios Involving the US Presidential Line of Succession
>
The American Presidential Line of Succession determines who replaces
a suddenly absent President. More importantly, it is an invaluable
narrative tool.
>
https://reactormag.com/five-sf-scenarios-involving-the-presidential-line-of-succession/

 I've occasionally wondered: in the event of a complete wipeout not
actually destroying the entire USA, so that most States could replace
their Senators and Representatives, would whichever of the Senate (by
electing a President Pro Tempore) or the House (by electing a
Speaker), depending on which is faster, actually be electing a
President of the USA?
 As to maintaining order, I suspect the highest ranking military
officer would temporarily assume de facto control. As opposed to, say,
one of the Federal Attorneys scattered around the country. The
military does have one advantage: there is /always/ someone who
outranks everybody else, so "who takes charge?" is clear.
 Once a President exists, of course, the rest of the gummint (with the
advice and consent of the Senate, of course) would follow, and the DoD
could be put back under civilian control.

The name escapes me at the moment but a very good story of an
America and Earth under attack by the cosmos with a big meteoric storm.
It wiped out Washington DC and most of the Elected Federal officials.
However one lowly department heat is trying to help Mexico with its
problems and he survives. Returning to the USA via torturous routes as
Mexico in in bad shape from tsunamis he is kidnapped and held briefly
by the Government of Texas which of  course is very wealth people.
He escapes with the help of African-American and eventually assumes
the office of president and helps to suppress the Neo-Confederacy and
and reunites the nation.  There is more than one volume and lots of
action heroes, male and female. To the Best of My poor Recollection.
If anyone recognizes this story feel free to chime in.
bliss
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