Can the president stop an election during a time of war
2007-07-17 04:27:41 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
Our system of government has THREE branches to check and balance each other. There is the Legislative (Congress), the Judicial (Supreme Court) and the Executive (President). No single one can do much of anything without the other(s). That's why you get all this debate about Congress doing something against the administration. They technically CAN, but it takes a two thirds majority (66.66%), rather than a simple majority (51%) to accomplish something major. If, say, the President vetos (says no to) a bill that has passed through Congress (by a simple majority); Congress can override the President's veto and pass it if they can get two thirds to vote for it.
Think of the Supreme court as the tie breaker. They are supposed to remain objective and base their decisions on Constitutional Law.
The short answer is "no"
2007-07-17 04:41:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, but this is not exactly a new idea. There was some debate during the Civil War in 1864 about the appropriateness of going through with the election; I'm not sure how long it lasted, or how serious the inquiry was (it may have been just newspaper talk), but of course the election was not cancelled. I think the situation today is not anywhere near as potentially disastrous as 1864, or 1944 for that matter.
I would not put it past Billary Clinton, if she were elected and the war lasted into the next four years (a distinct possibility in that contingency) to use the "emergency" as a pretext for making herself a lifetime President.
2007-07-17 11:44:49 · answer #2 · answered by nacmanpriscasellers 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, by declaring a state of emergency. Then Fema takes control, All elections are canceled, and the Armed Services take the place of Policemen, there is NO state government because everyone will be under federal Law. We are literally in a State of Emergency. I'm afraid this could happen during this administration, because of some attack by terrorists, or some natural disaster that happened to include many states.
2007-07-17 11:34:14 · answer #3 · answered by vanrynpa 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Nice question. Legally the answer is no. However, he could have it stopped if he wanted to. He has control of the military, so that pretty much makes him top Dog. This is called Executive prerogative. A real example of this is when Thomas Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase from France, he had no legal right to do it without approval from Congress. However, there was not enough time for him to go through the correct channels, so he used his Executive Prerogative to purchase the territory.
2007-07-17 11:33:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Only if SHE can get the Army to back her in a coup.
2007-07-17 16:07:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they declare it a national emergency, and martial law... yes. And the laws are in place to do so, and the term "emergency" is vague.
2007-07-17 11:31:26 · answer #6 · answered by ThomasS 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely not.
If Lincoln and FDR did not, then Bush won't either.
2007-07-17 12:43:11 · answer #7 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
boy I'd love to see the shitstorm that starts if bush tries to pull that off.
lol
2007-07-17 11:34:10 · answer #8 · answered by Eddie 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think he should be able to. It is only for the good of the country and the brave soliders to maintain the same ideals.
2007-07-17 11:30:54 · answer #9 · answered by mustagme 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
nope
2007-07-17 12:10:16 · answer #10 · answered by Mark A 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋