imatwitcher

Why Joe Biden can't resign, or be removed — or die

By Clayton Spann <https://www.americanthinker.com/author/claytonspann/>

American Thinker

August 20, 2021

In the wake of the Afghanistan debacle, demands have arisen in Congress <https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/08/16/republicans-call-for-ousters-over-afghanistan-exit-as-democrats-point-to-trump/?sh=7f88af675e5b> for President Biden to resign or to be removed via the 25th Amendment. Elements of the formerly pro-Biden media have joined in the condemnation <https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/bidens-failure-on-afghanistan-has-been-so-bad-that-even-a-friendly-press-corps-has-bailed-on-him/>.

Many silent Democrat officeholders likely want Biden out, as they fear that the systemic incompetence of his administration will bring them down come 2022.

But Joe cannot resign or be fired. The Democrat high command will not let either happen, no matter the short-term political cost.

On the surface, that makes little sense. Joe's resignation or removal would not alter Democrat control of the presidency and Congress. If Joe leaves, Kamala Harris becomes president. She is incompetent, too, but no more so than Joe, and is on board with the administration's radical agenda.

So. Why can't Joe quit the office or be removed?

Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution states: "The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote unless they are equally divided." The current Senate is equally divided with 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans.

As soon as Kamala Harris takes the presidential oath, the vice presidency is left vacant. In that case, a tie vote means that the legislation, resolution, or confirmation under consideration fails.

A Senate chamber without a vice president puts Mitch McConnell in the catbird seat. He can kill all Democrat initiatives, including any nomination to refill the vice presidency.

The Democrat agenda goes up in smoke. The 3.5-trillion-dollar budget reconciliation bill is blocked. The For the People bill is blocked. The Green New Deal is blocked. Packing the Supreme Court is dead. As is any attempt to scuttle the filibuster or grab guns.

Therefore, the Democrats will keep Joe in office. Even if he's reduced to talking gibberish and eating Jell-O. Kamala also stays where she is, and the Democrat dream of fundamental transformation remains alive.

OK. But what if Joe Biden dies? This 78-year-old man is certainly at risk. When Joe was three decades younger, in 1988, he suffered two brain aneurysms <https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/joe-biden/2019/03/18/joe-biden-2020-how-then-senator-overcame-life-threatening-brain-aneurysms/3002961002/>. Doctors at the time gave him a 50-50 chance of surviving.

"He's not a healthy guy," said Dr. David Scheiner <https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/lot-of-issues-former-obama-doctor-says-biden-is-not-a-healthy-guy> in 2020. Dr. Scheiner was concerned about Biden's potential for a stroke. Biden receives treatment for an irregular heartbeat and high cholesterol. Joe has also undergone surgeries for gallbladder and partial prostate removal, and on his sinus and nasal passages to treat sleep apnea.

If Joe dies, Kamala automatically vacates the vice presidency. The Democrats again face the throttling of their agenda. Mitch again rules.

The Democrat high command is not stupid. Indeed, as they proved during the last presidential election, they are quite willing to do whatever needs to be done. We must assume they have contingency plans in place.

Bad Bob Loc: Virginia

ACP45 Loc: Rhode Island

I see the logic in what he is saying, but the VP vacancy would be a temporary thing. "25th Amendment: Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress."

"In 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew stepped down and was convicted of corruption charges after pleading "no contest." President Richard Nixon then appointed House Republican Leader Gerald Ford as vice president. When Nixon resigned and Ford became president, Ford named former New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller as his vice president."
https://www.factcheck.org/2008/04/replacing-the-vice-president/

Tiptop789 Loc: State of Denial

Hey Einstein, she would appoint a like minded demo to take her place. Probably AOC. My god what an effing train wreck that would be. Talk about jumping from the frying pan to the fire.

CarryOn

AOC is too young ...

Also, if slojo was out of the picture and harris moved into the presidency, that would obviously leave the vp position vacant until she appointed someone who was then confirmed by a majority of both house and senate. IF the senate is 50-50, and there is no tie-breaking vote because the vp confirmation is the vote, the senate could block any replacement AND any bills the dems try to pass.

The problem with that is if something happens to harris, then pelosi would take over, and nobody wants that, BUT even at that she would still have the same problem with confirmation of a vp and passing bills.

Strange times we live in with these possibilities.

Smedley_buzkill

I don't think anyone ever claimed that the Republican Party didn't have it's share of unhung buttwipes.

The Ms.

But maybe a silver lining…. More people would wake up….