Inspired by a reply in another thread of mine. Let's say Jim Jeffords decided to become an independent (allied with Democrats) much later. September 11st was more successful, killing President Bush, Vice President Cheney as well as Speaker Hastert in separate attacks. Strom Thurmond was now president of the United States. What next? Let's say he still dies in June 2003, would he resign just months after his inauguration after nominating a vice-president? Anyway, how would he respond to the September 11th attacks?