What would Watergate have been like without the 25th amendment? Who would become President? Would Nixon be pardoned?
I suspect that Congress would pass a different law on succession. Either making it a Cabinet line (which is much more sensible anyway) or possibly make provision for a special election
The only thing that would change is that Nixon could not appoint a new vice president. When Agnew resigns for his own problems, Nixon is stuck. He will still resign to save himself from impeachment. Speaker of the House Carl Albert would become president.
And that's why Nixon might sign a new law on succession.. . . Speaker of the House Carl Albert would become president.
That would be the Energy Czar William E. Simon- assuming Nixon still picks him.And that's why Nixon might sign a new law on succession.
Perhaps Secretary of State Henry Kissinger cannot become president since he's not native born. Maybe whoever is Sec. of Treasury would be next in line?
And that's why Nixon might sign a new law on succession.
Perhaps Secretary of State Henry Kissinger cannot become president since he's not native born. Maybe whoever is Sec. of Treasury would be next in line?
Which may cause some difficulties, given Albert's problems with the bottle...
Which may cause some difficulties, given Albert's problems with the bottle...
Which may cause some difficulties, given Albert's problems with the bottle...
If that was well known, the House could elect a different Speaker when it first looked like Nixon wouldn't finish his term.
Having James Eastland as Acting President during the Yom Kippur War may cause even more difficulties...
https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/a-very-bad-year-1973-pt-1.76630/#post-1365755
(Though without a 25th Amendment, at least he can't nominate Vice President Daley)
The problem seems to have been pretty well known:
"Vice President Spiro T. Agnew pleaded no contest to taking bribes. The next man in line under the Constitution, House Speaker Carl Albert, was being treated for alcoholism. The president himself, by some accounts, was drinking heavily..." http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/21/us/politics/21haig.html?_r=0
"After rumors following an auto mishap in 1972, Albert says he has all but given up drinking." http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20064674,00.html
"Questions about Albert's own drinking were raised in Anderson's column and later spilled onto the news pages when the speaker smashed up his car outside his favorite bar, the Zebra Room. Witnesses described him as 'obviously drunk.'" http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Governing+under+the+influence;+Washington+alcoholics:+their+aides...-a06306545
For an alcoholic, though, he sure lived long!Which may cause some difficulties, given Albert's problems with the bottle...