How exactly did Haig neutralize Speaker Tip O'Neill and Senator Strom Thurmond the two men ahead of him in the line of succession? And why did Haig call himself "chairman" a term used by the very enemy he blamed for the assassination? Doesn't exactly invoke a lot of confidence in his emergency administration by shirking the title of President. And the counter coup that North pulled off would merely enable Donald Regan (secretary of the treasury) to the position of acting president until the Speaker and Senate Pro Temp's ultimate fates are learned, or until a Vice President is confirmed and would ascend to the presidency for the remainder of Reagan's term. In that case there might be a strong movement to put either Carter or even Ford in there.