THREAD: I’m surprised at the scant reporting on senators’ feelings about Vice President Pence, given that the presidency would go to him (not to Hilary Clinton or Nancy Pelosi) if the Senate, as unlikely as it might seem now, convicts Trump and removes him from office.
1/8
1/8
Senators’ feelings about the constitutional successor can matter greatly during impeachment.
In 1974, having the respected Jerry Ford next in line told the Republicans who voted for Nixon’s articles of impeachment in the House Judiciary Committee that things would be okay.
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In 1974, having the respected Jerry Ford next in line told the Republicans who voted for Nixon’s articles of impeachment in the House Judiciary Committee that things would be okay.
2/8
Back in Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial, concerns about who would take his place fortified that embattled president’s position.
Johnson had no VP; existing succession law directed that the Senate’s president pro tempore was next in line.
3/8
Johnson had no VP; existing succession law directed that the Senate’s president pro tempore was next in line.
3/8
In 1868, that was Ohio’s Benjamin Wade, who was, to put it mildly, unsuited for the presidency.
For example, he had long dared challengers to attack him in the Senate, having prominently placed two loaded pistols on his desk when he came into the chamber.
4/8
For example, he had long dared challengers to attack him in the Senate, having prominently placed two loaded pistols on his desk when he came into the chamber.
4/8
During the Civil War, Wade had personally held back a line of Union soldiers fleeing the disastrous first battle of Bull Run, threatening them with a squirrel rifle and vowing to “stop this damned run-away.”
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5/8
Republican representative (and future president) James Garfield of Ohio wrote to a friend about those who voted to keep President Johnson in office, “I have no doubt that the personal dislike of Mr. Wade had more power over them than they are aware of.”
6/8
6/8
Many factors contributed to Johnson’s acquittal, but Wade’s erraticism was high among them.
As one representative told a colleague, “Johnson in the White House is bad enough, but we know what we have. Lord knows what we would get with old Ben Wade there.”
7/8
As one representative told a colleague, “Johnson in the White House is bad enough, but we know what we have. Lord knows what we would get with old Ben Wade there.”
7/8
If any Republican senators now are going to give serious thought to casting a vote for Trump’s conviction and removal, you can be sure they will have given serious thought to the suitability of Mike Pence for that chair in the Oval Office.
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