President Elect Donald J. Trump

[Мастер]

I still have a gut feeling that DJT won't ever get sworn in,

If that would leave Obama in office, you can get 10:1 odds on that:
https://sports.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/bett ... 222881036/

Perhaps I don't understand the system as well as I thought, but my impression was that Obama was out on January 20th, no matter what happens.

[Lance]

Perhaps I don't understand the system as well as I thought, but my impression was that Obama was out on January 20th, no matter what happens.

I believe that as well.

But I wonder what happens if the inauguration was delayed for any reason.

ETA: According to a Snopes article:

President Obama's term of office expires at noon on 20 January 2017, period. It makes no difference whether or not a living, eligible, duly elected successor is on hand to immediately assume the presidency — there is no constitutional provision for Barack Obama to remain in office past that date.

[Мастер]

So let's say a big asteroid hits Washington at 11:55 on the morning of January 20th, and the new president-elect is nowhere to be found in the chaos that ensues. The old president, on the other hand, rode it out in his asteroid cellar, and emerged unscathed.

So does he just remain president for a while longer, or does he turn into a pumpkin at noon, with the office then vacant?

[Lance]

Please see my edit, above.

[Arneb]

There is a succession order for assuming the presidency, AFAIK, and from 12 noon, Jan 20, 2017 onward, it doesn't include a Barack Obama anymore. (I think it goes VP - Speaker of the House - Chief Justice of the Supreme Court).

Thinking about it, dropping something big on Congress Jan 20 around noon might be a pretty good opportunity for a "decapitation" strike, as most people on the succession list also seem to be on the guest list for that event. Uncle Volodya, are you listening, or are you too busy in Syria?

[Enzo]

Most is the operative word there, they do like they did in the movie, they always have someone high up held away for exactly that reason.

[Мастер]

Thinking about it, dropping something big on Congress Jan 20 around noon might be a pretty good opportunity for a "decapitation" strike, as most people on the succession list also seem to be on the guest list for that event. Uncle Volodya, are you listening, or are you too busy in Syria?

I think you should not be concerned about whether Vova is listening, but about someone else . . .

[Lance]

From what I've read, the VP-Elect is sworn in first. So if the President-Elect can't be for what ever reason, the VP would replace him.

Regarding the Designated Survivor scenario, I think that's what would happen. And it would probably who ever the previous administration had selected. Interesting...

[Arneb]

Most is the operative word there, they do like they did in the movie, they always have someone high up held away for exactly that reason.

Ah I see. Remember that seen form Battlestar Galctica when the lowly clerk of the Ministry of Education, who is at #44, suddenly becomes President of the Colonies?

[Lance]

We have a new TV series here, Designated Survivor staring Kiefer Sutherland, based on exactly this scenario. The President is giving the annual State of the Union Address to a joint session of congress, with the SCOTUS, JCOS, and everyone else who is anyone in attendance. And it's a real thing that does happen like that here every year in January. There is always one low level cabinet member, the "designated survivor" kept in a secure "undisclosed location" in case the capitol building becomes a smoking hole.

In the TV show, the new President's legitimacy is thrown into question when it comes out that the previous President was going to ask for the DS's resignation the following day. But since that never happened, he was the DS and ascended to the Presidency when the Capitol went poof.

I highly recommend it. It's a very good show. And Kiefer Sutherland is excellent in the role.

[Мастер]

And that whole Trump Hotel on Pennsylvania Ave. in DC has him in violation of a clause in the Constitution the moment he is sworn in.

What's this one about?

[Lance]

His ownership of the Trump hotel would cause him to receive payments from foreign governments.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

[g-one]

[Lance]

Apparently the Russians have video of Donald Trump receiving golden showers from prostitutes while on business trips to Russia.

So at least now we know why he's that color...

[Мастер]

Apparently the Russians have video of Donald Trump receiving golden showers from prostitutes while on business trips to Russia.

That's what we're hearing . . .

So at least now we know why he's that color...

[Lance]

via GIPHY

[Lance]

Is The Independent a legitimate and reliable source?

[Heid the Ba]

Yes, it is usually ok.

[Lianachan]

Except for stories about Scotland, when it suddenly changes into The Dependant.

[Heid the Ba]

Well yes, it is English.

[Мастер]

Headline at the Conformist News Network website reports that the golden-domed boy is already alienating many of the "alt right", who are wondering whether he's the right guy for them.

I can't think when a president-elect has pissed off so many people. Just imagine what it will be like when he takes office and actually does something.

[Heid the Ba]

I read an article yesterday about poor white electors who voted for him since they wanted to get rid of Obamacare. Not realising it is the Affordable Care Act they depend on.

[Enzo]

I recall a "man on the streets" interviewer - probably part of the Daily Show - asking people what they thought of Obamacare, and they hated it. he then asked the same people about the Affordable Care Act, and they felt it was a good thing. Some, he asked "which is better, Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act?" They universally preferred the latter.

[Heid the Ba]

Yep, the ACA is for hardworking Americans who have earned it, Obamacare is for Illegals and Welfare Queens who haven't.

Also.

[Lianachan]

Yep, the ACA is for hardworking Americans who have earned it, Obamacare is for Illegals and Welfare Queens who haven't.

Also.

Ha, what a cool site.