Democrats may face losing the Senate - really?

[lars573]

We do that as well. But currently we have 306 of 308 commons seats filled. 2 are in need of bi-elections.

Yep. It's how they were intended. Sir John A. MacDonald described our senate as a place of "sober second thought" to curb "democratic excesses" of the commons, and give regional representation.

Except these days the regional representation is out of whack. My homeland of New Scotland has for less than 1 million people yet rates 10 senators. While Goofball's British Columbia has 6 senators for 4 million persons. Mean while Beirut's Quebec (along with Ontario) has 24 senators.

[Xiahou]

It's not likely to happen. As long as the guy still draws breath, he's going to keep his seat... whether or not he'll be physically in the Senate casting votes may be another matter.

[doc_bean]

IMO the US system *hates* reelections. This is probably due to historical reasons, but that's just the way the system works. Unless all 20 or so people in line for the presidency die they'll never have another presidential election before the standard term ends. Even if the lowest Secretary suddenly becomes president (and then there are Speakers and whatnot next in line I think).

On a side note, I heard the oldest senator ever, who retired last term (iirc) couldn't even stay awake during a sitting, so his assistants just raised his hand...

[Lemur]

Even if the lowest Secretary suddenly becomes president (and then there are Speakers and whatnot next in line I think).

Line of succession for the U.S. Presidency:

1. Vice President
2. Speaker of the House
3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate
4. Secretary of State
5. Secretary of the Treasury
6. Secretary of Defense
7. Attorney General
8. Secretary of the Interior
9. Secretary of Agriculture
10. Secretary of Commerce
11. Secretary of Labor
12. ... and there's a whole bunch of secretaries after that ...

And as everyone now knows, in case of sneak attack by the cylons, the Secretary of Education will become President of the survivors. Until she loses a rigged election to Baltar, but that's another story ...

[Major Robert Dump]

If the governor wants t be re-elected he will bend to the will of the people who voted for the Dem t begin with. Is he a lame duck? Soemone tell me.

Regardless, this is the law. It was written before this tool had a stroke. And Dick Cheney will be there to cast the tie vote breaker, god I loves America

[KukriKhan]

A few things to remember:

1) Originally, Senators were elected by State Legislatures, not direct popular election, so this 'replacement by appointment' thingee is a kind of throw-back to those days.

2) Each State Constitution handles Senate vacancy-filling slightly differently. Oregon and Wisconsin, for example, demand an immediate election be held (no Gov'r appointment). Alaska, Arizona & Hawai'i provide for Gov'r appointment, but restricts them to the same political party as the previous incumbent. Utah & Wyoming gov'rs pick from a list of 3 possibles put forward by the incumbent's party.

3) The Senator has to actually die, or resign in writing, for any of the above to be triggered.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

A few things to remember:

1) Originally, Senators were elected by State Legislatures, not direct popular election, so this 'replacement by appointment' thingee is a kind of throw-back to those days.

...and boy do I hope they repeal that ammendment. Aside from the 16th ammendment (Income tax in peacetime) no single decision has gutted state power so thoroughly and concentrated so much in the federal government as that one. What a string of idiotic modifications 16, 17, and 18 were. Took them up to #19 to finally do one that was intelligent.

[Ironside]

And as everyone now knows, in case of sneak attack by the cylons, the Secretary of Education will become President of the survivors. Until she loses a rigged election to Baltar, but that's another story ...

But that was on regular election time, she only sat the remaining time of the now dead president's time.

Evil Chanel 5 to show the 2 movie episodes and the a few regular episodes and then erradicate any traces of Battlestar Galactica from the tv-table. Cylon infiltration I say.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Thank you all for your information and perspective.

I understood that the States' governors have strong powers, and now have a better understanding of why. The US has the most fascinating political constitution!

[doc_bean]

I understood that the States' governors have strong powers, and now have a better understanding of why. The US has the most fascinating political constitution!

Meh, it's child's play compared to the Belgian political structure.