Friday, September 19, 2008
A REPUBLICAN'S WORST NIGHTMARE
This writer is not a teller of tales – claiming no talent in composing fictional plots and stories. But sometimes he demonstrates an unusual gift in foretelling alternative futures from present day events and circumstances. This writer has undertaken to exercise this gift in looking toward one of those alternative futures extracted and projected from political events of recent weeks.
Let us look at the Palin “bump,” “kick,” or whatever name is given to the surge in interest in the republican presidential ticket is called. Then let us follow the future line expecting that the nation might repeat its history of 1972. That was when Richard Nixon was re-elected in spite of earlier breaking of news stories about a role in the Watergate break-in and in the illegal raid on the psychiatrist’s office.
In this future scenario the McCain/Palin ticket is really elected, in spite her meager resume’, impetuous speech, and the legal problems lurking in her background. Then let us suppose that she is later indicted and scheduled for trial on charges of abuse of power, travel claim fraud, and perhaps other charges. She is then forced from office, either by conviction, impeachment, or shame.
This would, of course, be a replay of the Spiro Agnew story, when the Vice President of Nixon’s choice was indicted, tried, and convicted for corruption and bribery while still a governor. House Speaker Carl Albert, a democrat from eastern Oklahoma, became the first in line to replace the president. The democrats controlled Congress.
Very graciously, and to the displeasure of many in his party, Speaker Albert put aside any personal ambitions he may have had. He invited the president to choose a member of his own party as vice-president. Wisely, Nixon chose Gerald Ford, House minority leader with friends on both sides of the aisle. He was approved by the House.
We know the rest of that story. Nixon resigned in shame, and Gerald Ford became the first president never to have been voted upon in a national election.
Now, let us suppose that history repeats itself with Sarah Palin. Let us suppose that the McCain/Palin ticket, by some joust with fortune, is actually elected. Then let us suppose that Palin is followed to the vice-presidency by her political past in Alaska. Let us suppose that she is indicted, or worse, for such crimes as abuse of power, filing false travel claims, or other charges stemming from current investigations and findings there.
Now comes the nightmare. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi becomes the next in line for the presidency. And then we ask ourselves the question: “Will Speaker Pelosi, in the current hostile partisan atmosphere, acquiesce to leading a move in the House to approve a new designee of President McCain for the vice-presidency.
The answer to that question is easy: “Likely not.”
Then let us suppose that the aging McCain, a man with recurring malignancies, passes on during his first term. Who becomes president?
You’ve got it -- Speaker Pelosi becomes President Pelosi.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a republican’s worst nightmare.
Dr. Edwin E. Vineyard, AKA The Militant Moderate.
Let us look at the Palin “bump,” “kick,” or whatever name is given to the surge in interest in the republican presidential ticket is called. Then let us follow the future line expecting that the nation might repeat its history of 1972. That was when Richard Nixon was re-elected in spite of earlier breaking of news stories about a role in the Watergate break-in and in the illegal raid on the psychiatrist’s office.
In this future scenario the McCain/Palin ticket is really elected, in spite her meager resume’, impetuous speech, and the legal problems lurking in her background. Then let us suppose that she is later indicted and scheduled for trial on charges of abuse of power, travel claim fraud, and perhaps other charges. She is then forced from office, either by conviction, impeachment, or shame.
This would, of course, be a replay of the Spiro Agnew story, when the Vice President of Nixon’s choice was indicted, tried, and convicted for corruption and bribery while still a governor. House Speaker Carl Albert, a democrat from eastern Oklahoma, became the first in line to replace the president. The democrats controlled Congress.
Very graciously, and to the displeasure of many in his party, Speaker Albert put aside any personal ambitions he may have had. He invited the president to choose a member of his own party as vice-president. Wisely, Nixon chose Gerald Ford, House minority leader with friends on both sides of the aisle. He was approved by the House.
We know the rest of that story. Nixon resigned in shame, and Gerald Ford became the first president never to have been voted upon in a national election.
Now, let us suppose that history repeats itself with Sarah Palin. Let us suppose that the McCain/Palin ticket, by some joust with fortune, is actually elected. Then let us suppose that Palin is followed to the vice-presidency by her political past in Alaska. Let us suppose that she is indicted, or worse, for such crimes as abuse of power, filing false travel claims, or other charges stemming from current investigations and findings there.
Now comes the nightmare. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi becomes the next in line for the presidency. And then we ask ourselves the question: “Will Speaker Pelosi, in the current hostile partisan atmosphere, acquiesce to leading a move in the House to approve a new designee of President McCain for the vice-presidency.
The answer to that question is easy: “Likely not.”
Then let us suppose that the aging McCain, a man with recurring malignancies, passes on during his first term. Who becomes president?
You’ve got it -- Speaker Pelosi becomes President Pelosi.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a republican’s worst nightmare.
Dr. Edwin E. Vineyard, AKA The Militant Moderate.
