I've been toying with this idea for a while, it might be a bit confusing, so if you need any clarification, let me know... but is there any way we can get the post-1800 United States to resemble the Holy Roman Empire structurally? Now don't worry, I'm not suggesting that it become an elective monarchy with an emperor crowned by the Pope. Rather, I was thinking of a scenario where the U.S. once again decentralizes into a weak confederation, with nearly all real power in the hands of the states, but with a figurehead President of the United States and an impotent Congress still around on the national level. However, here's the catch: I want this powerless, titular presidency to consistently remain in the hands of whoever is Governor of Virginia.
So just as the Prince-Electors always elected the Hapsburg heir as the next Holy Roman Emperor, I want the electors of the Electoral College to always select the current Governor of Virginia as President. Maybe its because the Governor is so wealthy he can always bribe the electors, or maybe its because Virginia has become such an overpowering state that the Governor threatens to declare war on the states on any electors who refuse to vote for him. Of course, being the President doesn't mean much anymore, and is simply a pretentious title that the Virginian governors possess, and while it theoretically makes them the supreme head of the whole confederation known as "the United States of America"; in practice it doesn't give them any extra power or inflluence.
So any ideas of how we can make this happen with a POD anytime after 1800?
So just as the Prince-Electors always elected the Hapsburg heir as the next Holy Roman Emperor, I want the electors of the Electoral College to always select the current Governor of Virginia as President. Maybe its because the Governor is so wealthy he can always bribe the electors, or maybe its because Virginia has become such an overpowering state that the Governor threatens to declare war on the states on any electors who refuse to vote for him. Of course, being the President doesn't mean much anymore, and is simply a pretentious title that the Virginian governors possess, and while it theoretically makes them the supreme head of the whole confederation known as "the United States of America"; in practice it doesn't give them any extra power or inflluence.
So any ideas of how we can make this happen with a POD anytime after 1800?