Terry Bracy: When disaster strikes the Presidency

On Oct. 2, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson (1913-21) suffered a severe stroke that left him bedridden for the remainder of his second term. Wilson had led America through the First World War, which ended with the disastrous Versailles Treaty, but also with the American President’s design for a new League of Nations, which he hoped would end all wars. As he campaigned across the country to build support for this grand plan, in a train loaded with top government officials, the press and the President’s medical team, Wilson’s entire left side became useless, rendering him bedridden for the remainder of his term. From that moment until his presidency ended almost two years later, his second wife Edith effectively became the “secret president.” Capable as she reportedly was, it was a job for which Edith Wilson had not a single qualification.

The same situation might have occurred a decade later when Franklin Roosevelt, already wheelchair-bound, began in his third term to suffer a series of medical setbacks related to high blood pressure and small strokes. With America at war, and FDR being a crucial leader against Hitler and the Japanese, the press helped conceal the President’s disabilities. Death in his fourth term intervened before any question of competence would arise.

Health concerns have never been far from the modern presidency: Dwight Eisenhower’s heart attacks, John F. Kennedy’s Addison’s disease, Ronald Reagan’s dementia.

This reality led the 89th Congress in 1965 to send to the States the 25th Amendment which among other provisions established a process to replace a living President who is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” It was adopted by the states two years later.

The Amendment allows for the transfer of power when the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House that the President is no longer able to perform his or her duties. The Vice President becomes the Acting President until the disabled President presents a “a written declaration to the Contrary.”

As of this writing, the major parties plan to present the oldest two nominees in American history, which makes the issue of succession one of the most relevant considerations of the 2024 campaign. It is interesting to speculate on how the Biden and Trump camps might deal with the incapacity to govern.

After a disastrous debate performance, President Biden’s age and health has reemerged as the primary concern of Democratic leaders. Now 81, and not as nimble in speech and gait as in 2020, the President reinforced the public’s preconceived idea that his aging had accelerated. In politics, that is usually the death knell. Yet, he remains a beloved figure among Democrats, and may yet survive.

If Joe Biden were to win reelection and at some point become disabled, who are the people likely who would be forced to consider replacement? First would be the President himself, were he still able to act. If it were tragically to occur today, the team making the decision would necessarily include Vice President Harris and Cabinet members of the caliber of Antony Blinken, Deb Haaland, Janet Yellen, Lloyd Austin, William Burns. All of them widely respected.

It is difficult to assess the state of Donald Trump’s health except to note that at 78, he is at least fifty pounds overweight and dines, according to his own testimony, on a diet that would clog the arteries of a horse. Were Trump to be reelected and experiences a health crisis, who might be counted on to enforce the 25th Amendment?

One can only speculate, but the names prominently associated with Trump would include Steven Bannon, William Barr, Rick Perry, Steven Miller, and Tucker Carlson.

The central event of my youth was the assassination of President Kennedy. This vile act awakened a post-World War II generation to the dangers that lurked at a time when America’s victories left us believing that the world was now safe. It is not — and has never been. What followed was the Cold War and the bilateral Balance of Terror between Russia and the US. The Cuban Missile Crisis brought us to the brink to be saved by the wisdom of JFK and his government.

President Reagan and his successors followed with nuclear disarmament, until now when we find ourselves in the crosshairs again. The choice we make in 2024 could be as important as saving the planet. We must choose carefully, and if it is to be between two old men, I’ll take Joe!