[xzins]

who as Ronald Reagan's secretary of state famously declared he was in charge after the president was shot,

I have no water to carry for Al Haig, but I heard that comment of his on the news at the time. I never thought he meant he was the successor to the president. I always thought he was simply letting people know, AN AN GOOD MILITARY OFFICER WOULD, that the post wasn't abandoned, but that a responsible person was there as OIC.

[xzins]

"As of now," Haig said, "I am in control here in the White House, pending the return of the vice president and in close touch with him (Vice President George H.W. Bush was flying back from Texas). If something came up I would check with him, of course."

[Max_850]

I agree completely. The comment strictly came from his military background and I believe had the intent of just trying to give a sense of order, not chaos, in the wake of the shooting.

The media ran with that and tried to turn it into him trying to take over the White House. I remember the media and Wash Post articles were really over-blown. I was military at the time and worked part time as a contractor on the State Dept Cryptology equip. Had the occasion to work on Gen Haig’s house equipment a few times. I always had the impression he was a good and honorable man.