Had Clinton Resigned, Gore Would Be President Now

Democrats Vs Republicans - The Continuing Clash | Thomas A. Bailey

[Doctor Raoul]

I'm going through an old book I acquired and it notes that every "accidential President" of the 20th century (Roosevelt, Coolidge, Truman and Johnson) were elected in their "own right" by formidable or comfortable margins.

So there you have it folks, while Democrats put party over country, they elected Clinton who put poontag over party and screwed them by not resigning.

Thank God for Bill Clinton's selfishness, otherwise Al Gore would be President in this time of crisis.

[expatpat]

Now, what was that remark about pigs flying?

[Cloud William]

I disagree. Gore would have been president from 1998 to 2000, but still would have lost in 2000, IMHO.

What leads you to that speculation? Gore damn near pulled it out without the incumbent's advantage that he would've enjoyed in 2000, had Slick Willie been taken down.

S'cuse me... I've got to go offer up another prayer of thanks.

[killermosquito]

I don't think Gore would quote the Bible. More likely Confusious or some other eastern religion.

[stanz]

Now that's a scary thought.

[ladyinred]

There were rumors during impeachment that one reason Congress didn't want to remove Clinton from office was because Gore would become President. I don't think he is very well thought of in Washinton DC.

[Consort]

[plain talk]

I respectfully disagree. My thought is that Gore would have had even more time to display how lame, stiff and arrogant he is and the people would have elected Bush by an even greater margin for a breath of fresh air. There's a big difference between a sympathy vote for electing a VP into his own right after an assasination vs a resignation. Gore would have been another Gerald Ford.

[Doctor Raoul]

You forgot the one example most similar to your hypothetical situation: Gerald Ford lost in 1976 to Jimmy Carter.

Good catch. This book was written before LBJ even announced he wouldn't accept his party nomination.

[Cloud William]

Shoot...Had Gore resigned as VP when x42i was impeached, Gore would have been president today.

True. Scary, but true. All he needed was a little more distance from X42. I'll bet Al just *loves* to review that videotape of the press conference wherein he states his support for the big scumbag. Hey, Al: You chose... poorly.

[GalvestonBeachcomber]

Thank God for Bill Clinton's selfishness, otherwise Al Gore would be President in this time of crisis.

There would not have been a crisis--The democrats have no cajones. Except maybe take out a tent or an aspirin factory.

[Cicero]

I think Gore would have won if he had been president for a year or two after a clinton resignation. He came very close to winning anyway, and one reason he lost was that he was tarred with the clinton brush.

Gerald Ford isn't a very good example. He was stupid, clumsy, a terrible campaigner, and had the entire press corps against him, especially after he pardoned Nixon. Gore, on the other hand, would have had the media strongly on his side. And he was a wooden campaigner but still, I think, more impressive than Ford.

[gaucho]

Thank God for Bill Clinton's selfishness, otherwise Al Gore would be President in this time of crisis.

You are funny! If Al Gore had been President on 9/11 we would have been hit with 100 planes and 20 nukes by now. There wouldn't be a crisis because most of us wouldn't be here...

[GOPJ]

I agree.

If Al Gore had been President on 9/11... There wouldn't be a crisis because most of us wouldn't be here...

[GOPJ]

I agree.

If Al Gore had been President on 9/11... There wouldn't be a crisis because most of us wouldn't be here...

[Salvation]

Horrors. This title sends cills down my back!

[SteveH]

I think there is still some controversy as to whether or not Johnson was an "accidental" president.

[doug from upland]

On many occasions I phoned, faxed, snail mailed, and e-mailed Gore information about the 25th Amendment. He should have used it.

[cyncooper]

I disagree. Gore would have been president from 1998 to 2000, but still would have lost in 2000, IMHO

I agree. I am of the opinion that doing the right thing (asking clinton to step aside as Nixon was) would have given Gore the position he had always desired. But he would have proven to be so uninspiring and boring, and maybe even screwed up a thing or two royally (more than the press could cover up for him) and out he would have gone.

Maybe wishful thinking, but everytime he speaks it's get the hook time or better than a sleeping pill.

[CyberAnt]

No he wouldn't! Gore would still have had to face an election of his own in 2000 - even if he took over from x42. Gore would still have lost! We need to get over this - what if Gore! It's NEVER GORE!!!

[SamAdams76]

Well Gerald Ford is the exception to this rule. But that said, it is obvious that Algore would be president today had Clinton resigned in 1998. As close as the election was, the incumbency would certainly have pushed Algore over the top in 2000. I don't think anybody could argue that.

Just goes to show that things happen for a reason.