‘Time for rethink on U.S. presidency?’

PRESIDENT Trump’s incapacitating attack of Covid-19 has alarmed not only his country, but the world. The looming election increases the tension.

It is true that, technically, the line of ad-hoc succession is clear. In the case of a president’s death or inability to carry out his or her duties, the vice-president takes over. Failing him or her, the next in line are the Speakers of Congress and the House of Representatives.

But who decides when a president is incapable of performing his or her duty?

Some might say that President Trump has never been capable, that the illness makes no difference in that sense, and that he has shown a frightening tendency to want to keep power at any cost to the constitution.

Perhaps we should consider a precedent. A few years ago I read a book titled ‘Rulers of the USA’. At first I wondered why it was not titled ‘Presidents of the USA’. Then I looked at the list of chapters.

One was on a woman – Edith Boll, the wife of President Woodrow Wilson, in office 1912-1920. In 1915 he married her, and in September 1919 had a stroke.

Edith virtually took charge. She and his aides did their best to keep it all quiet.

Let us contemplate the last few presidents. In a similar situation the wives of Obama and Clinton could have run the country.

Further back, the wives of the Bush presidents – Laura and Barbara – would probably have managed. They had common sense.

But the Trump family is different. Melania is not a successful businesswoman or trained lawyer. Nor was

she brought up in America.

The other Trumps are, shall we say, questionable. Might they not try to increase and perpetuate their influence? With the President’s support? Rather like putting a right-winger on the Supreme Court.

Perhaps this episode should force a rethink on the American presidency.

Should power be in the hands of a single man, and one subject to such a medley of influences? Some of those wielding the influence are not accountable.

Should there not be an improvement in the system of checks and balances?

Should there not be a weight limit on presidents? Trump weighs 17 stone. He was always a health risk. Should medical assessments be checked?

Would compulsory tests for common sense and sanity be impossible?

The next few weeks might

decide the fate of the planet. Even the most adventurous bookie is unlikely to take bets on what will happen.

One can only hope that if the U.S. survives, it never votes for anyone like Trump again.

MARGARET BROWN BURSLEM