The Man Who Would Be President
June, 2005
Not only is Michael Chertoff the new head of Homeland Security, he just got in line to become commander in chief. The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 established the order, with Cabinet members arranged by the date their agencies were created. If the president becomes incapacitated, dies or resigns, the first U.S.-born official on the list who is alive and well serves until the next national election. In these uncertain times, it's good to have backup. If a plane went down with the president...
