THAT’S A RELIEF
If there should be a terrorist attack on the Capitol tonight during the State of the Union address, killing the President, his cabinet, the members of the Supreme Court, the Joint Chiefs, and most of the elected representatives of the people, rest assured that Sen. Harry Reid (D, Nev.), the Assistant Democratic Leader, will be at a safe location prepared to step into the breech.
Certainly a load off my mind.
Surely VP Cheney will be in his secret bunker?
Nope–his only “real” job–other than serving as a spare–is to preside over the Senate. He’ll be sitting up their next to Hastert behind Bush.
Sen. Reid will have to wait in line. As you know, James, one member of the Cabinet is always designated to stay away from the SOTU.
In future years I can see this “honor” falling to the Secretary of Unsightly Undershirt Stains or some such.
You can relax. Reid isn’t on the Order of Presidential Succession – the only Senator who is is Ted Stevens (he’s President pro tem and therefore third behind Cheney and Hastert). Some Cabinet member will also be staying away, as per usual.
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