Bill Clinton Constitutionally Eligible to 'Inherit' 3rd Presidential Term? Legal Experts Say Yes...

The New York Post ^ | Tuesday, May 7, 2002 | Liz Smith

[codebreaker]

The other day someone lofted a weird proposition that bears thinking about, even if-as we always say when we are treading hypothetically-it is a completely unfeasible idea.

This scenario posted that Hillary Clinton would eventually run for President and her Vice Presidential candidate would be Bill Clinton.

This raises an interesting constitutional question.

Should the hypothetical President Hillary die in office, (or resign for ethical reasons) would her husband be allowed to ascend to the Oval Office?

The Constitutional amendment that I and many others happen to think is 'unconstitutional' demanding that no one run and serve as president of the U.S. for more than two terms, would still be in effect.

So could Bill Clinton be president for a third time, having 'inherited' the office?

He would still have to 'run for it,' in a manner of speaking.

Several smarties I know tell me it would be 'legally possible.'

But I'd love to hear from some Constitutional experts.

[codebreaker]

'Legally Possible' means probable in Clinton speak.

[Howlin]

What the HELL is she talking about? If this is in tomorrow's paper, she's made a fool of herself in front of the hole country.

[Charles Henrickson]

The Constitution is a living document, you know.

[Howlin]

Ah, Ms. Wordsmith, can you tell me what Liz is talking about? :-)

[Mike K]

In order to be VP, you've got to be eligible to be President. Dirty bill is not eligible, having served his terms.

[Charles Henrickson]

This reminds me of the idiot Jonathan Alter, on Election Night 2000, basically saying, "Forget about the Constitution. Who pays attention to the Constitution? Algore should just become President anyway."

[bybybill]

The ammendment, I think it might be the nd, that term limits the Pres forbides this... the monster can`t be our President again

[pubmom]

I'd like to know who the "smarties" were that advised her of this.

[Political Junkie Too]

This should already be addressed.

The rule actually is: 2 terms or 10 years. This allows a vice-president to fulfull less than half of one term and still be eligible for two of his/her own. Since Bill Clinton served two full terms, he is ineligible to run again. I would think that if he were to be VP and the P resigns/arkancides, succession would fall to the speaker of the house. On second thought, I would think that he'd be ineligible for the VP on the grounds that he could not assume the presidency in the event of an emergency.

-PJ

[Thane_Banquo]

To be technical, the 22nd Amendment says, "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice..."

If he isn't elected...

[bybybill]

22nd..sorry

[Charles Henrickson]

The amazing thing is that the draft-dodgin', lyin' sack of sh*t was ever elected President in the first place. (Not to mention a second time, too.) I still can't believe it.

[Howlin]

Thank goodness you all agree with me! I had to read it about four times to make SURE she was wrong........and then I still doubted myself because it was IN PRINT......LOL.

[bybybill]

the jokes on us....who said that Hillory could be elected?

[Howlin]

Then how would he "ascend" to the office???????????????

[ladyinred]

Nothing the Clinton freaks would be allowed to do would surprise me. Laws do not apply to those two, they are the Rodney King, OJ Simpson's of the country.
This prospect is just chilling to me, I think I need a drink......or two.

[Bobber58]

Bush got in when Clinton thought Gore would be there instead and be able to destroy all evidence of all the BS he pulled for 8 years...why do you think the Dems on the inside are constantly shooting themselves in the feet? 41 knew where to look for everything since it was his job to tidy up from Reagan...not that that was a bad thing....but the truth is, the Clintonian Proletariat and the Dems are going down of their own volition this time around because they sold out the country and W was able to find the goods on them...end of story...but W is a goodhearted man and will allow their demise to be percieved as an honest fight...does anyone here honestly think any hard-drive can be truly "erased"....

[nopardons]

Poor old Liz is a Clintonoid kneepadder, who doesn't know what she's talking about and regularly makes an idiot of herself. If she has " experts " telling her that this is even in the realm of possibility, they are no " experts " ! It is clearly written, that NO ONE may even ru for the V.P., unless that person is capable of being president. Since Slick has had two ghastly terms, already, in that position, and NO ONE may serve more than two presidential terms, he is inelligible to run for V.P. !

[jwh_Denver]

hole country

Yep, I do believe that's the way Bubba views this country.

[A.J.Armitage]

Yeah, he can get around the two terms based on the "elected" thing, but he can't get past the ten year limit.