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New presidential trivia!

metsguyinmichigan Nov 20 2008 11:26 AM

Well, trivia, but not about the new president. Only one speaker of the House has gone on to become president. Who might this be?

Willets Point Nov 20 2008 11:38 AM

Napoleon of the Stump.

SteveJRogers Nov 20 2008 11:50 AM

Gerald Ford due to no VP after Agnew resigned.

Gwreck Nov 20 2008 11:53 AM

Ford was appointed VP under the provisions of the 25th amendment after Agnew resigned. The correct answer is Polk.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 20 2008 11:55 AM

Nobody has ever ascended to the Presidency from anywhere other than the Vice Presidency. Having the Speaker be third in line is relatively new; it was introduced some time in the 20th Century, I believe. Before that, the Secretary of State came next after the VP.

Frayed Knot Nov 20 2008 11:56 AM

Ford was Republican House leader but never SotH because the Dems always had the majority the in those days.

metsguyinmichigan Nov 20 2008 12:08 PM

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Nobody has ever ascended to the Presidency from anywhere other than the Vice Presidency. Having the Speaker be third in line is relatively new; it was introduced some time in the 20th Century, I believe. Before that, the Secretary of State came next after the VP. That's true. I should have phrased it to say that a House speaker went on to be elected president. And, correct, James Knox Polk, among your 10 best presidents according to the recent survey.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 20 2008 12:39 PM

I knew what you meant, Michigan. I was responding to Steve's post about Ford.

RealityChuck Nov 20 2008 01:15 PM

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Nobody has ever ascended to the Presidency from anywhere other than the Vice Presidency. Having the Speaker be third in line is relatively new; it was introduced some time in the 20th Century, I believe. Before that, the Secretary of State came next after the VP. Prior to that, it was the President Pro tem of the Senate. The president and vice president candidates for one party can't come from the same state (well, they can, but if they do they can't get any electoral votes from that state). In fact, the president and VP usually come from states that are far apart to provide geographical balance. What president and his VP came from adjoining states? (I think there was only one pair, but don't have time to double check)

Willets Point Nov 20 2008 01:18 PM

Clinton & Gore. I remember crossing the Mississippi River at Memphis in 1996. In one direction the sign said "Welcome to Arkansas, home of Bill Clinton". In the other direction it said "Welcome to Tennessee, home of Al Gore."