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onenote

(42,700 posts)
39. What is theoretically possible and what is within the "realm of conception" are different things
Fri Mar 24, 2017, 11:07 AM
Mar 2017

It is theoretically possible the Democrats in Congress will all band together to vote for the repeal of Social Security. It is not remotely within the realm of conception that they would do so.

So too with the "extremely extremely unlikely" scenario you postulate. Let's imagine that there was evidence that Trump, Pence, Ryan and Hatch were somehow complicit in something unlawful relating to the election. There are a number of conceivable scenarios as to how that might play out -- scenarios that are far more conceivable than the one you suggest and that push your concept to the outer boundaries of the realm of conception or beyond.

Put another way, removing Ryan and Hatch from their positions in the line of succession, and replacing them, requires only a majority vote (removing them from Congress requires a 2/3 vote). Why wouldn't the republicans simply vote for a replacement from their own ranks, who would then succeed to the presidency upon the resignation of Trump and Pence? What leverage do the Democrats have to force a convoluted game of musical chairs to install Clinton (or any other Democrat for that matter) in the White House? The threat of impeachment? As noted, that could be avoided by Trump and Pence resigning, which is part of your proposal. The threat of prosecution? The new president could and would pardon them and the Democrats would be unable to stop it. If the situation is so bad that even Republicans feel that Trump and Pence and Ryan and Hatch have to go, they wouldn't participate in a charade that let's them avoid prosecution -- they'd let the new president, presumably there as a caretaker until Cruz/Rubio/blah blah blah runs in 2020.

So, yes, magical thinking.



I'd like that, though it's not likely. SharonAnn Mar 2017 #1
There is no constitutional mechanism lapucelle Mar 2017 #2
I agree lapfog_1 Mar 2017 #4
Stolen elections should have consequences too Generic Brad Mar 2017 #6
Exactly, steal an election, rot in jail. L. Coyote Mar 2017 #13
except it was a scam. triron Mar 2017 #7
There is no legal way to do that. hrmjustin Mar 2017 #3
Ummm, how exactly do you propose this be done? PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2017 #5
I get your point... forgotmylogin Mar 2017 #16
There really is a difference between being stranded on a desert island and removing a stupid pillow PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2017 #20
Okay Poindexter. forgotmylogin Mar 2017 #21
I actually like that image: me throwing down my clipboard and leaving the room. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2017 #42
There was a war crime committed to install a treasonous bastard. That isn't an "election". boston bean Mar 2017 #40
There is no "upholstery law". former9thward Mar 2017 #28
Wouldn't the airline in this case own the pillow? (nt) bekkilyn Mar 2017 #30
It matters not who owns the pillow. former9thward Mar 2017 #47
Unless! bekkilyn Mar 2017 #48
Yes, I'm aware. forgotmylogin Mar 2017 #46
Thanks for this post. Stay creative and have courage. triron Mar 2017 #8
Could you get me a pony while you're at it? onenote Mar 2017 #9
kick for visibility triron Mar 2017 #10
It won't happen, but if it did... Orrex Mar 2017 #11
false equivalence triron Mar 2017 #12
Vapid objection Orrex Mar 2017 #14
If the election was a scam perhaps there is a legal mechanism? triron Mar 2017 #15
There is a legal process in place for removal of the President and succession Maru Kitteh Mar 2017 #23
You could definitely "appoint" HRC or any other Democrat within the confines of the law. forjusticethunders Mar 2017 #34
Magical thinking. onenote Mar 2017 #35
It's extremely, extremely unlikely like I said. forjusticethunders Mar 2017 #36
What is theoretically possible and what is within the "realm of conception" are different things onenote Mar 2017 #39
No. It is not. Maru Kitteh Mar 2017 #43
Let them have an illegitimate president for 4 years ProudLib72 Mar 2017 #17
Magical thinking. truebluegreen Mar 2017 #18
A lot of that around here lately. cwydro Mar 2017 #31
That would be lovely. But constitutionally, it cannot happen. NurseJackie Mar 2017 #19
And we never had this type of interference in our elections from an enemy of our nation before.. iluvtennis Mar 2017 #22
Sure. All you need is a super-majority in both houses or ratification by 2/3 of the states. Maru Kitteh Mar 2017 #24
This "election" will be seen as a joke ck4829 Mar 2017 #25
Everything can have a precedent. A first time. Keep believing. caroldansen Mar 2017 #26
Everything can have a precedent. A first time. Keep believing. caroldansen Mar 2017 #27
As much as Republicans detest "judicial activists" Mr. Ected Mar 2017 #29
We cannot be bound by an outdated impeachment process. BSdetect Mar 2017 #45
With this Congress? Supreme Court? GWC58 Mar 2017 #32
Is Michael Scott available? sl8 Mar 2017 #33
Both me and my magical unicorn would love to see that happen. Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2017 #37
How about one of the guys from Marvel comics? grantcart Mar 2017 #38
I hereby declare the last election null and void. HeartachesNhangovers Mar 2017 #41
knr triron Mar 2017 #44
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