If Trump falls below 270 votes, who is your best guess for who congress would install as President?

[Quixote1818]

Editing to correct my misunderstanding of this. It sounds like congress would chose between Clinton and Trump so Trump ends up getting it anyway.

https://www.romper.com/p/what-happens-if-donald-trump-does-not-get-enough-electoral-votes-congress-gets-the-vote-24718

[Barack_America]

1. Joe Biden.

Hey, let a girl dream.

[CincyDem]

2. I'll have two of whatever you're drinking ! :-) n/t

[nycbos]

78. Same it must be really good stuff.

[dmr]

81. Me, too. I'd love to be drunk on Joe Biden.

[flamingdem]

83. If I get religion and pray could this happen?

What if we all do for the next few..

[Statistical]

3. It would be up to the electors.

The house picks the President but only from the three candidates with the most Electoral Votes.

[FarCenter]

7. Which is why the faithless electors have to agree on a third person acceptable to a house majority

I think that Kasich has been floated as such a third party.

[RealityChik]

22. Kasich out...

Doesn't want to dragged into this circus...at least that's what he told CNN et al:

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/06/politics/john-kasich-electoral-college-donald-trump/index.html

Hopefully NOT Pence because Trump's whole cabal would likely remain in charge.

[tinrobot]

12. Three candidates, each state in the House gets only one vote.

If it was between Clinton, Trump and Kasich, there's a remote chance Trump/Kasich could split the vote just enough to let Clinton win.

If so, the Senate picks the VP from the top two - one vote per Senator. Slight possibility of a Clinton/Pence White House.

Our system is weird.

[exboyfil]

18. You would send Pence to some foreign funeral

every time it looks close to a 50-50 vote in the Senate. Other than that you just put him on the shelf. Give him security briefings in the event of the a disaster, but otherwise keep treat him like a mushroom.

Not going to happen though. Even if collusion is demonstrated, Trump is going to get his 270 votes. Pence will be Vice President.

[FarCenter]

35. A majority of 26 states must vote for the candidate to win.

The following rules regulate the House's choice of the President:

Only the top three vote getters in the electoral college are to be considered.

Regardless of its population and number of representatives, each state delegation in the House has only one vote, for a total of 50 votes. The District of Columbia, which sends a nonvoting delegate to the House, has no vote.

The state's choice is determine by a vote within its delegation. If that vote is a tie, the state loses its vote.

A winning candidate must receive the votes of a majority-26-of states.

There is no limit to the number of ballots in the House. If the House fails to choose a President by Inauguration Day, January 20, the Twentieth Amendment requires that the Vice-President-elect, provided that the Senate has chosen one, serves as President until the House makes it choice.

http://lwv.org/content/who-will-elect-president-electoral-college-system

[roamer65]

4. Mitt Romney.

He's Paul Ryan's buddy.

[Jean-Jacques Roussea]

5. Tim Kaine

[onenote]

14. Who is casting presidential electoral votes for Kaine?

And what is the likelihood that Kaine would be the third highest presidential electoral vote getter?

If he isn't, he can't be considered.

[Jean-Jacques Roussea]

15. Tie in the house, goes to the senate, Kaine is elected

like in Veep.

[onenote]

16. Link?

[Jean-Jacques Roussea]

17. Good show

In the wake of the confusing 1800 election, Congress ratified the 12th Amendment , which laid out what would happen in the event of a tie.

It reads, “The House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President” and “the Senate shall choose the vice president.”

All representatives within a given state vote as a bloc with each state having one vote, determined by the majority of votes in the bloc.

If the House fails to decide, the vice president acts as president.

The amendment reads, “If the House of Representatives shall not choose a president whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the vice president shall act as president, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the president.”

Remember: This was before the 20th Amendment moved the start of a new session of Congress to January.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/hoh/veep-season-5-fact-checked

[onenote]

45. You're assuming that just because Trump doesn't get 270, Pence doesn't either

But there's absolutely no reason to think that would happen.

And you're assuming that if Pence didn't get 270, there would be a tie in the House choosing the VP, which also is something that there is no reason to think would happen.

And finally, you're assuming that there is a tie in the states and that the vote goes to the Senate, which has a Republican majority, and that they pick Kaine over Pence. And there's absolutely no reason to think that would happen.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

72. Only if an electoral vote is cast for him n/t

[La Lioness Priyanka]

6. Paul Ryan

[pangaia]

8. Pretty Quixotic of you....

[eppur_se_muova]

9. I would hope they would just postpone any decision until a re-vote could be held.

Leave BHO in office until a majority of voters can agree the vote count was fair.

[onenote]

13. Not allowed by Constitution.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

30. Not sure about that. Obama for another four years would be the perfect compromise...

At least I could sleep nights.

[longship]

33. Not fucking allowed by the constitution.

People need to actually read it once in a while.

Sheesh!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

37. Could always pass a constitutional amendment... and take out the Electoral College while we're at it!

[longship]

38. A constitutional amendment will likely take years.

Meanwhile we would still have Drumpf, because even if one could pass quickly -- which it cannot -- it would not be retroactive.

Nice try, though, but dream on.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

44. All we had to do was nominate Bernie and we wouldn't be having this conversation. President Sanders would be leading us and setting a progressive agenda, but, alas...

I guess you're right... we're stuck with Never-My-President Adolf tRump.

[longship]

47. Well, Bernie did not win the Dem nod.

I voted for him in the primary, to no advantage. I gladly voted for Hillary in the GE. Both were easy votes.

And I dismiss your argument that if Bernie had gained the nod, that he would have won the GE.

That would credibly be termed as a contrafactus. Bernie did not gain the nomination, so nobody can credibly state what would have happened if he had.

If my grandmother had wheels, she might have been a wagon.
Montgomery Scott.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

48. I too gladly voted for Hillary, after the bitter disappointment of the primary, but having attended rallies for Bernie in the primary, and then for Hillary in the general...

the difference between the overwhelming enthusiasm for Bernie at those rallies, as compared to the much more muted response for Hillary, was like night and day. Perhaps you missed that, but, yes, that's how I know in my heart that Bernie would have won... easily!

The Fuhrer Elect was absolutely the worst presidential candidate in our history and should have been trounced. It's embarrassing that this racist fuck will be running the country (into the ground).

[longship]

49. The last thing we should be doing is playing the idiotic blame game

That, my friend, is a losing strategy.

Unite, or fail! I would think Democrats would have learned that by now.

Apparently not. Too damned bad for us if that's what's happening.

Learn!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

50. The only thing that's idiotic is your being condescensing and treating fellow DUers like WE'RE the enemy.

Good day!

[longship]

53. But unlike some folks here, I want us to be united against Drumpf.

Instead of playing childish, infantile blame games.

My best to you, sir.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

56. lol... did you even bother to read what I posted before starting with your insults? I wasn't blaming anyone for anything...

I merely suggested two Constitutional Amendments and that had Bernie won - and, yes he would have had we nominated him - we wouldnt have to consider amending the Constulitution.

I wasn't blaming a sole. Hell, I dont even blame you for being so condescending... it's perfectly understandable, as we're all upset at the results of the election.

You're certainly within your rights to disagree with what people have to say. I only suggest, however, that you direct your anger at the Fuhrer-Elect and not your fellow DUers.

I gladly accept your apology in advance... best to you too.

[longship]

58. When are those two amendments going to pass 2/3 of the states?

Please! Don't tire us with contrafactus dreams of what might have been if Bernie had won the nod. Remember, I voted for him in the primary. But I do not have the unbridled hubris to claim that he would have won in the GE if he had obtained that Dem nod. I don't know that, and neither do you... nor anybody else.

And how in the Sam Hell is any Democratic Party effort going to get two constitutional amendments through 2/3 of the state legislatures when the GOP has 2/3 of them?

The universe is a bitch.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

84. I appreciate what you're saying longship, and respect your right to disagree... but, ironically, you eloquently illustrate my point by your suggestion of a contrafactus conundrum of sorts...

that posits an extreme negatively balanced cognitive dissonance... and THAT is truly the ultimate hubris!

[longship]

85. Just read your constitution, my friend.

My best to you.

[Lil Missy]

52. He couldn't beat HRC, so a bad choice to run again. n/t

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

86. Well, it is Bernie's turn...

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[AngryAmish]

39. Constitution is just a piece of paper.

We can get new pieces of paper, perhaps installing a just form of government.

[longship]

40. Sorry! Unless you are being sarcastic, that's a crock of shit. nt

[texasmomof3]

60. That is what we did when we fought....

an actual war with England. You don't just go get a new piece of paper. It is fought for. Are you willing to actually do that?

[AngryAmish]

61. Nice try, Agent Bob.

[Yo_Mama]

70. But the Supreme Court is, due to the fact the procedures are specified in the Constitution.

This sub-thread has me laughing so hard.

Why not speculate on an alien invasion to put things to rights!!! There's no proof it couldn't happen, whereas there is proof that the election can't just be cancelled.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articleii#section1

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxii

The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term, be elected, as follows:

Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector.

The electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;--The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;--the person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

71. Sure, I'll speculate... I give the odds of Fuhrer-Elect tRump starting an inter-Galactic war, leading to an alien invasion, at 34.667%.

[eShirl]

10. Pence?

[LonePirate]

11. The House will elect the Racist-in-Chief as they fear the wrath of his armed and angry voters.

[spin]

19. In my opinion it is quite possible that if Trump loses the Presidency...

there will be hell to pay. That assumes there is no concrete evidence proving the Trump campaign worked with Putin to insure Trump's win.

You might even see a number of states secede from the Union.

[msongs]

20. gee what if the red states had to actually pay their own way instead of sponging off the

blue states

[spin]

21. We may find out. ...

While I honestly believe the chances of Trump's victory being overturned are slim to none this has been the most unusual election in my life.

It might be a fitting end to this election. It is definitely one for the history books.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

67. Pretty surreal, actually IMHO

It's amazing how this almost makes Election 2000 look "normal"

[rzemanfl]

76. It may be the end of history books. n/t

[Sorceress]

25. True, but there will be hell to pay if Trump doesn't lose as well.

Not necessarily from the blue states seceding but, rather, Trump's instability and Russian influence. I hate to sound paranoid but our country's democracy and independence is at stake.

[spin]

64. The next few years will be a bumpy ride. (n/t)

[cwydro]

23. This is not going to happen.

But keep dreaming.

[McCamy Taylor]

24. I hope and pray some not too crazy Republican like Chuck Hagel.

Would the Dems be able to block it if the GOP can't get a 2/3 vote?

[canetoad]

26. So what's wrong

With the clear winner of the popular vote?

[Mike Nelson]

27. Not thinking this will happen, but...

...the Republicans control everything, including the number of Electors. Now what may be interesting is to see what happens if the Republican electors split between Trump and another - say Pence - and throw the majority to Hillary. That would be justice!

[SickOfTheOnePct]

73. Hillary doesn't have 270

Splitting 306 between Trump and Pence only leaves Hillary 232...not a majority.

[Mike Nelson]

75. What I meant was..

...Hillary keeps her 232 and the Trump delegates split. Bulk going evenly between Trump and Pence, with a smaller amount to Hillary. Three can receive votes, in my scenario. I thought this was provided for in the Constitution (I may be wrong). But, it won't happen.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

79. In theory, yes, that could happen

In reality, the vote of any Trump faithless elector will be tossed, and if enough go the faithless route, the House will vote in a Trump v. Hillary contest.

JMO.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

28. Bob, the Capitol janitor

1. He's been in the Capitol Building more times than Trump (zilch!)

2. He's used to cleaning up the crap the Republicans leave behind.

[pipi_k]

63. Really...

he's got just as good a chance as anyone.

Seriously, though.

It makes me sad to see lots of otherwise intelligent people keep wishing and hoping to stop Trump from taking office.

Oh, maybe such fantasies are their only defense against reality, but it's gonna happen in spite of all the scenarios people can come up with.

I don't like it any more than the rest of everyone else here, but, as they say, it is what it is. We'll have to deal with him for the next four years unless something truly drastic happens.

[DetlefK]

29. It would be utter chaos, because the GOP is a cesspool of infighting.

Which faction would win?
The Trumpers?
The Tea Party?
The capitalist establishment?
The national security-hawks?
The Evangelicals?

The GOP would need to find a compromise-candidate. And the GOP has spent the last 8 years convincing itself that "compromise" means getting everything while the other side gives something up.

[Raine]

31. Trump, they wouldn't have guts to pick anyone else. nt

[Renew Deal]

32. In theory, someone else will come in third place

But I think the republicans will stick with Trump. That's why Hillary would need to get to 270

[longship]

34. Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate

Dante: "Abandon all hope ye who enter here."

[NightWatcher]

36. I'd take Lindsey Graham or McCain at this point

They at least understand the office.

[Vinca]

41. They wouldn't have to choose Clinton or Trump, they could choose anyone.

Since we're in the minority there is always the chance they could put someone even worse in office . . . hard as that is to believe. Paul Ryan, for example, would probably be worse because he would definitely be on board with an end to all social programs. Trump, on the other hand, changes his mind from moment to moment so he might be convinced to veto the end of Social Security. It's a giant clusterfuck no matter what happens.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

74. Congress can only choose

between the top 3 electoral vote winners. So unless faithless electors vote for another candidate, the choices will be Trump or Clinton.

[brooklynite]

42. Not going to happen, so what's the point fantasizing about it?

[mnhtnbb]

43. Don't think the "if" will happen. We are going to be stuck with Trump

until he resigns and Pence assumes office;

until he is impeached and Pence assumes office;

until he is taken out by unknown (CIA?) assailants and Pence assumes office;

until his plane crashes and Pence assumes office.

Those are the scenarios I can imagine and they all end up with Pence as POTUS.

[dawg]

46. Donald Trump

[jberryhill]

51. Vladimir Putin - cut out the middleman

[sarcasmo]

54. Paul Ryan

[CanonRay]

55. I would predict Pence would get it.

[Adsos Letter]

57. That would be my guess also.

And the Republican leadership gets what it wanted all along.

[CanonRay]

59. Makes me want to throw up though

a little less violently than with Trump.

[Coyotl]

62. Trump, of course, were it today. But a lot can happen before then.

By Jan., the Republicans might just vote for Putin and cut out the middle man ....

[Oneironaut]

65. It's simply not going to happen. Trump will be President.

First of all, ignoring the terrible precedent treating electors as the only voters that matter would create, of those who can cast a vote against the election result, none will. I don't think electors have ever mounted a successful campaign to reject the President-elect. I don't think they've even come close.

The "the electors will reject Trump" theory is just a pipe dream. It has virtually no chance of happening. Even if Trump won by just a few electoral votes, it would probably still be near impossible.

It's time to focus energy on other (more useful) things.

[book_worm]

66. House Republicans would still elect Trump

[Yo_Mama]

68. Correct. n/t

[Jose Garcia]

69. Probably Trump

Most GOPers in Congress weren't willing to stand up to Trump during the campaign even when it looked like he was going to lose. Why would that change now?

[Motley13]

77. Pence

not as obnoxious, but he would be worse

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

80. My pick ...

[kudzu22]

82. 99% Trump

1% Kasich. If I recall correctly they have to choose among the people who got electoral votes so that rules out any rogue candidates like Biden.