POTUS Hillary in '08, Senator Bill in '09

What if Hillary wins the Democratic nomination and is elected President in 2008, and when it comes to the appointment of her replacement for Senator from New York, Gov. Patterson picks Bill Clinton (who was mentioned as a possible candidate IOTL)? What would that be like? Having a former President who is simultaneously First Gentleman and New York Senator?
 
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Speculation is pointless, because the chances of Patterson appointing Bill to succeed Hillary as US senator after she's elected POTUS is between zero and zilch. While an epic clintogasim to be sure, it's an idea that is politically DOA.
 
Speculation is pointless, because the chances of Patterson appointing Bill to succeed Hillary as US senator after she's elected POTUS is between zero and zilch. While an epic clintogasim to be sure, it's an idea that is politically DOA.

Why? Why exactly would that be the case? I mean think about ten or fifteen years ago, and the idea of First Lady Hillary becoming Senator from New York and then coming so close to the Presidency, would have sounded just as crazy, unlikely, ludicrous, and could have just easily been described and dismissed as a "Clintogasm".
 
Its pointless because it violates the Ineligibility Clause.

I believe that only applies for members of the Executive during their terms in office, and since Bill Clinton is an Ex-President, who does not currently occupy any office, he is eligible to be Senator.
 
I believe that only applies for members of the Executive during their terms in office, and since Bill Clinton is an Ex-President, who does not currently occupy any office, he is eligible to be Senator.

He would be First Gentleman of the United States, which has its own office within the Executive Office of the President, which is a part of the executive branch of government.
 
He would be First Gentleman of the United States, which has its own office within the Executive Office of the President, which is a part of the executive branch of government.

Umm... he would probably just not officially take the office, anyway. The "Office of the First Lady [Gentleman]" would officially lapse for a few years.

Hillary was still First Lady from January 3rd, 2001 to January 20th, 2001, while Senator, and I don't think there was any uproar then.
 
He would be First Gentleman of the United States, which has its own office within the Executive Office of the President, which is a part of the executive branch of government.

Umm... he would probably just not officially take the office, anyway. The "Office of the First Lady [Gentleman]" would officially lapse for a few years.

Hillary was still First Lady from January 3rd, 2001 to January 20th, 2001, while Senator, and I don't think there was any uproar then.

Yes, good point there Tim. In such a scenario, Bill Clinton;
(a) could be both First Gentleman and Senator at the same time if they go with the reasoning that it is not an official position as its holder receives no salary (and present clear legal justification for this) and the precedent mentioned above, and nobody takes much issue with that (except maybe Fox News and Conservatives looking for something to complain about very early on in HRC's Presidency)
(b) doesn't have to be "official" First Gentleman. They could do what was done towards the close of the OTL Clinton Administration and have Chelsea act in that capacity (as Hillary was busy campaigning for the Senate).
 
Speculation is pointless, because the chances of Patterson appointing Bill to succeed Hillary as US senator after she's elected POTUS is between zero and zilch. While an epic clintogasim to be sure, it's an idea that is politically DOA.
Patterson was a loose cannon with no political future. He wasn't beholden to anyone, which is why he chose the relatively obscure Gillibrand over someone more connected.

I believe that only applies for members of the Executive during their terms in office, and since Bill Clinton is an Ex-President, who does not currently occupy any office, he is eligible to be Senator.
Right. Ex-presidents can serve as Senators. Just ask Andrew Johnson.
 
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