# Reaction to this path to Clinton Presidency **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 12, 2017, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314 "2017-12-12T19:16:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/21 "2017-12-12T20:58:38Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > I’m imagining that Pelosi does this to put the popular vote winner in the White House, something many people have said should have been the correct result. … Nobody gives a shit about the popular vote, and no serious person contends that Clinton should have been awarded the presidency because she won the popular vote. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/22 "2017-12-12T21:00:38Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > I’m imagining that Pelosi does this to put the popular vote winner in the White House, something many people have said should have been the correct result. And where does this idea that everybody dislikes Clinton come from? When did 66 million voters change their mind? I know I didn’t. If there’s any dislike from them it’s because of her failure to get what they think should have been an easy win. But you can be sure that if this scenario were to play out many of those same people would feel that she got what was rightfully hers. The popular vote means nothing in the US. That isn’t the ‘correct result’ unless and until we correct it. If Pelosi, having jumped through all of the fantasy hurdles to actually become President decides she is going to honor that fiction then she would be an idiot and probably shouldn’t be President anyway. I certainly wouldn’t want someone in there who would be seemingly stupider than Trump…I wouldn’t think that’s even possible. As for the voters, many people (myself included) voted for Clinton because Trump was the alternative. I felt she would make a better President than Trump, but, again, that’s not saying much. At this point, I don’t think there is a groundswell of people yearning to have Clinton in office if Trump was impeached and sent to the big house…just about anyone who isn’t Trump would do. Hell, my WAG is most Democrats would rather have Pence or even Ryan than Trump. Given the choice between Pelosi and Clinton, I’d go out on a limb here and say that Democrats would MUCH rather have Pelosi. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/23 "2017-12-12T21:00:55Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > But you can be sure that if this scenario were to play out many of those same people would feel that she got what was rightfully hers. Much of the reason that she’s not in the White House is that she believed it was rightfully hers. Nobody is seething because Hillary isn’t in the White House - they are seething that Trump is. "Anybody but Trump’ is a thing, and Pelosi is anybody. > [@Chronos](#): > > Even most of Clinton’s supporters supported her because she’s a Democrat and far better than Trump. A few, I suppose, supported her because she’s a woman. In both cases, once Pelosi got in the White House, it would be Mission Accomplished. For what conceivable reason would Pelosi abdicate in her favor? What he said. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/24 "2017-12-12T21:02:37Z")
> [@XT](#): > > … At this point, I don’t think there is a groundswell of people yearning to have Clinton in office if Trump was impeached and sent to the big house… Her post-election blame game certainly soured a lot of people. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/25 "2017-12-12T21:07:36Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Impeaching Trump would be fine. Impeaching Pence would be a big problem unless they had a really good reason. I agree. But what do you think would be considered a really good reason? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/26 "2017-12-12T21:11:20Z")
Pence lawyered up for Mueller’s Russia investigation just as fast as the rest of them. Maybe he had a reason. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/27 "2017-12-12T21:17:56Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > I agree. But what do you think would be considered a really good reason? Politically I’d say that the Dems would be reaching if they also went after Pence unless they have an overwhelming amount of evidence. Even going after Trump whole hog might be problematic, though it certainly seems to me as if the evidence is mounting (but I’m hardly an unbiased person in this). You are talking about taking down a sitting President, so there is bound to be backlash. Also taking down the VP AND having the new President coming in from the other party after the dust settles would be a major issue for a lot of people. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/28 "2017-12-12T21:28:09Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > How did Hillary Clinton get a reputation for starting wars? > [@dalej42](#): > > Bernie Sanders and his cult were constantly accusing Clinton of being too hawkish, probably related to the Iraq vote. Uh, no. Hillary has been hawkish for years. Besides her Iraq vote, there is her insistence that Obama get involved in Libya and her talk of instituting a no fly zone in Syria. I’ve been saying this about Hillary long before Bernie burst on the scene. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/29 "2017-12-12T21:34:42Z")
Ok, let’s try to salvage this silly hypothetical a little. Let’s assume that, for whatever reason, (1) Pelosi gets the presidency and (2) for a private reason of her own, she doesn’t/can’t keep it at all. Who _should_ she appoint as a VP? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/30 "2017-12-12T21:40:39Z")
> [@squidfood](#): > > Ok, let’s try to salvage this silly hypothetical a little. Let’s assume that, for whatever reason, (1) Pelosi gets the presidency and (2) for a private reason of her own, she doesn’t/can’t keep it at all. Who _should_ she appoint as a VP? Warren? Assuming she’d take it? I’m not sure who the up and coming Dems are, but Warren seems to be one of their stars and I’d think would make the Dems happy while simultaneously causing the Republicans to have collective fits. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/31 "2017-12-12T22:48:28Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > No one wants Clinton to be president. Even those of us who supported her. It won’t be just “Republican outrage” if this happened. I am good with it, speak for yourself.😛 Mind you, I would be happy with just about anyDem. Pelosi might pick Chuck Shumer. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/32 "2017-12-12T23:00:36Z")
> [@squidfood](#): > > Ok, let’s try to salvage this silly hypothetical a little. Let’s assume that, for whatever reason, (1) Pelosi gets the presidency and (2) for a private reason of her own, she doesn’t/can’t keep it at all. Who _should_ she appoint as a VP? If it’s an “our long national nightmare is over” and bring-us-together type of interregnum, then Joe Biden. Anyone else would be seen as being slotted for the 2020 campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/33 "2017-12-13T02:17:01Z")
Is this the long awaited sequel to Charlie Kaufman’s freshman masterpiece, _Being John Malkovich_ in which I get sucked into a portal to experience the inner mind of Hillary Clinton for fifteen minutes and then unceremoniously dumped on the side of the Pennsylvania Turnpike outside New Stanton? If so, I’m not liking it nearly as much as the first one. I want my $200 back! Stranger ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/34 "2017-12-13T03:05:06Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Nobody gives a shit about the popular vote, and no serious person contends that Clinton should have been awarded the presidency because she won the popular vote. [http://https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-more-americans-believe-popular-vote-should-decide-the-president/](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-more-americans-believe-popular-vote-should-decide-the-president/) A majority of Americans would disagree with you. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/35 "2017-12-13T04:41:08Z")
Besides, Pelosi would not be able to just name a vice-president. Congress (both houses) has to approve whoever she picks, and that isn’t happening with Clinton. Amendment 25 of the Constitution: “2. 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.” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/36 "2017-12-13T06:10:45Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > [http://https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-more-americans-believe-popular-vote-should-decide-the-president/](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-more-americans-believe-popular-vote-should-decide-the-president/) > > A majority of Americans would disagree with you. Did you read your own cite? > [@](#): > > More Americans support the popular vote over the Electoral College as the method for electing U.S. presidents, but a majority thinks the 2016 electors should cast their vote for the candidate who won the most votes in their state. Emphasis added. Most Americans want to change the system, but they don’t think we should subvert it and make Hillary president. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/37 "2017-12-13T14:21:35Z")
Frankly, the biggest assumption in the hypothetical is than Nancy Pelosi would resign. She’s as motivated a politician as there’s ever been. She finds herself - somehow - in the big seat she ain’t giving it up for nobody. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/38 "2017-12-13T15:14:30Z")
If the goal is to make Clinton President, the House can simply elect her Speaker at the appropriate moment. The Speaker is not required to be a House member. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/39 "2017-12-13T16:56:45Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > Imagine it’s 2019 and the Democrats control Congress. They impeach both Trump and Pence, making Pelosi President. She then nominates H. Clinton as VP, and Congress approves. Pelosi immediately resigns, making Clinton President. > > The question is, with what details to this scenario would there be the least amount of Republican outrage? I’m assuming zero outrage is completely improbable, but under the right circumstances zero acceptance is not. Depends. Are they flying a flag with or without gold fringe in the room in which Pelosi resigns? ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314/40 "2017-12-13T17:29:54Z")
Yes my scenario is not very plausible, but it’s not impossible. Yes it’s more likely that Pelosi wouldn’t do this, but theoretically she could, and for the reason I give. And it could be argued that a Democratically-controlled Congress wouldn’t go along, but you can’t say definitively they wouldn’t. And even many of her supporters would think it would create a dangerous precedent millions of others who voted for Hillary because they liked her and also believe the election should go to the popular vote winner would be happy. I see no evidence that this group of people does not exist, even if they would be just a minority of the population. Is it really that hard to move past this wouldn’t happen to if it did? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-this-path-to-clinton-presidency/804314.md?page=3)