Question about electoral Tie.

[JimBob2232]

This is a VERY real possiblity. According to the recent tradesports projections, Bush has 254, kerry with 242. There are 4 toss up states (IA, OH, NM, WI). If bush wins WI and NM and loses OH and IA, both candidates end the day with 269EV.

I konw in this situation the president is chosen by the newly elected senate (and in this case bush would prevail), but according to the constitution the Vice President is selected by the House of Representitives. Per the constitution they get to choose from the "Top 3 electoral vote getters" Does this mean they get to choose from bush and kerry or from cheney and edwards?

I guess I am just confused as to whom can become VP under these rules. I dont think a bush/edwards administration would be too hard to fathom, but a bush/kerry one...now that would be interesting to say the least.

[W00lygimp]

As much as I want Bush to win, I wouldn't mind Kerry winning VP. Usually governments don't function well with a split administration but I think it would be interesting as well...

[El Barto]

You got it backwards. The President is selected by the House from the top 3 Presidential candidates, with each state delegation getting 1 vote. The VP is selected by the Senate from the top 2 VP candidates, and becomes acting President if the House has not resolved the Presidential selection.

Assuming no elector breaks from their voting commitment, the House must choose between Bush and Kerry. The Senate must choose between Cheney and Edwards. The GOP has a majority of state delegations in the House and a majority in the Senate.

[David Steele]

I think you have it backwards, the House gets to pick the President if there is an EC tie.

I have heard of a senario where if the House and Senate were both tied, Chenney would cast the deciding senate vote for himself to become VP, then he could assume the Presidency (it not being filled because of the house tie) and therefor would have chosen himself with no other voting. Best system on earth, doh!


D.

[JimBob2232]

Yeah, i knew that...oops. thanks for the clarification guys. I was having trouble interpreting who would be eligible for the VP slot. I know back in the day the top vote getter was Pres, and 2nd got VP, so I wasnt sure if this was some kind of tossback to that era.

[Dynasty]

[ QUOTE ]
The GOP has a majority of state delegations in the House and a majority in the Senate.

[/ QUOTE ]

It will be the newly elected Congress which casts these votes. So, the Senate isn't guaranteed to be Republican. The Democrats have an outside shot of gaining control of the Senate. The House almost certainly will remain Republican.

[vulturesrow]

It wouldnt be interesting at all. Edwards would be marginalized as much as possible (if its hard to marginalize the VP any more than usual) and if the worst were to happen and Kerry became President he'd probably be way behind the curve.