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Introduction: Presidential disability and presidential succession

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2016

Robert E. Gilbert  and
Erik P. Bucy
Robert E. Gilbert
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science Northeastern University Boston, MA 02115 r.gilbert@neu.edu
Erik P. Bucy
Affiliation:
College of Media and Communication Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 79409-3082 erik.bucy@ttu.edu
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Abstract

This introduction to the special issue on presidential disability and succession focuses on the distinctly positive contributions that invocations of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment have made to American political life since the Amendment's ratification in 1967. It also underlines the importance for Presidents, their family members and aides to understand the necessity for putting the welfare of the country first, above all else—even at times above the wishes of a disabled Chief Executive. As the articles in this special issue make clear, the Twenty-Fifth Amendment provides an effective constitutional mechanism by which the country's well-being can be maintained while simultaneously showing compassion and respect for a disabled leader. The idea for this issue emerged from a conference organized by Professor Robert E. Gilbert focusing on presidential disability and succession held on the campus of Northeastern University in April 2014. Papers from the conference assembled here clarify and add to the historical record about presidential inability while illuminating the many political, legal, and constitutional contingencies that future presidential administrators may face. Contributors to this issue have varied disciplinary and professional backgrounds, including expertise in American politics, constitutional law, the presidency and vice presidency, presidential impairment, and, of course, the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.

Keywords

Presidential disabilitypresidential successionTwenty-Fifth Amendmenttransfer of powerpresidential powers and duties
Type
Special Issue: The Presidency and Disability
Information
Politics and the Life Sciences , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , Fall 2014 , pp. 2 - 10
Copyright
Copyright © Association for Politics and the Life Sciences 

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References

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