What would you do if you were President for one day?
It happened…sorta…
QUICK: Who were the 11th, 12th, and 13th Presidents of the USA?
Many Americans — even history buffs — would answer wrong! At least Constitutionally…
- #11 was James K. Polk
- #12 was David Rice Atchison
- #13 was Zachary Taylor
David Rice WHO?
You might not remember him from History class.
Official records show Zachary Taylor as President #12, not 13.
TRUE STORY: David Rice Atchison — from Frogtown, Kentucky — was appointed to the United States Senate to replace a Senator who had died. He stayed for 12 years, 1843-1855.
Then it happened:
- President James K. Polk was scheduled to step down from office at noon on Sunday, March 4, 1849.
- But President-elect Zachary Taylor was a religious man and refused to be sworn in on the Sabbath. He insisted on waiting until the following day.
- So WHO would serve as President for 24 hours? Normally, the vice-president would. But VP George M. Dallas’ term would have expired along with Polk’s…if he hadn’t already resigned as President of the Senate on Friday, March 2nd.
- The House of Representatives was dismissed so there was no Speaker. Next in line? Recently re-elected President Pro Tem of the Senate, David Rice Atchison, who technically became President for 24 hours, though he was never sworn in.
- When asked what he did that day, he said “I WENT TO BED. THERE HAD BEEN TWO OR THREE BUSY NIGHTS FINISHING UP THE WORK OF THE SENATE, AND I SLEPT MOST OF THAT SUNDAY.”
So what would you do if you were President for one day?
5 responses so far ↓
Dolores // May 19, 2008 at 6:31 pm |
I wouldn’t sleep the day away. Would declare it a National Day Off for all Americans. Like Reality TV, would let Americans follow me through the routine of that day as well as a tour of the People’s House – the White House – from North Portico to South Portico, East Wing to West Wing, top to botton. Do the same of The Capitol.
Jim Bohannon // May 21, 2008 at 10:33 pm |
I’d direct CIA agents worldwide to place burning bags of fecal matter outside the front doors of every Iranian, Syrian, and North Korean embassy in the world–knock–then run like hell.
Dave Frandin // June 8, 2008 at 6:44 pm |
I’d repeal as many of the encroaching, unconstitutional executive orders that the last few presidents have instituted..I’ll bet I could repeal a good lot of them in 24hrs..
Jacquelyn Wyer // November 8, 2008 at 7:05 am |
Please, please, please – make Al Gore head of the EPA.
And make a federal law repealing gay marriage bans in all states. We didn’t “let the states” decide whether they wanted to recognize interracial marriage – this is the same matter: the government interfering in a person’s right to choose their own spouse. In addition, social security and other federal benefits should be extended to married gay couples. If homophobes continue to claim that marriage is a religious institution rather than a legal status, then the government should no longer recognize “marriages” and all couples, gay or straight, should have civil unions.
michael t. malley // February 15, 2009 at 10:28 am |
i’d maybe call all of congress to camp david for a very informal party where they are not allowed to talk about those big subjects that they like to argue about. they need to just chill.