From IP: Tuesday, December 7, 2000 Clinton Announces He Won't Leave on January 20

WASHINGTON, DC (Rueters) - President Clinton announced today that he will not leave office on January 20, regardless of the outcome of the current election controversy.

"Neither the Vice President nor the Governor of Texas have been able to establish themselves as the legitimate choice of the American people to be their next president," Clinton told reporters. "Both are seeking to usurp the office by manipulating the political and judicial processes. I am taking steps to ensure that this does not happen."

"This is about the rule of law," the president added. "There is a constitutional process for selecting the president, and I am doing this to save the constitution. I have a responsibility, as the last person legitimately elected to this office, to ensure that the office does not fall into the hands of those who would undermine the constitutional process."

Asked about the transition process for the various government departments and agencies, Clinton said, "I have issued an executive order directing all department and agency heads to refrain from cooperation in any transition efforts, and to remain in their offices on January 20 and not turn their office space or any papers or equipment over to anyone who is not a duly appointed representative of this administration."

When presented with the possibility of the Supreme Court declaring his executive order unconstitutional, Clinton replied, "I am the commander in chief of the military, and I intend to enforce my executive order. The Chief Justice can rule in whatever way he chooses, but he has no mechanism for implementing his decision."

"I have every confidence that the next presidential election in 2004 will produce a clear choice for the next president," Clinton added. "On January 20, 2005, I intend to step aside and let Hill- I mean, let the person chosen by the electoral process assume office."

Concluding his remarks to reporters, the president stated, "I wish to apologize to the American people for siding with the Vice President in his divisive efforts over the past few weeks. Now, by taking a stand against both candidates in their partisan maneuverings, I believe I can lead the country in forging a bipartisan consensus for the next four years."

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2000

Answers

roflamo, good one. Now, if Al Gore had been president in similar circumstances, I WOULD have believed that the article was genuine ....

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

"Klinton" is looking awful damn good at this stage in the game. I'd give him 8 more years, in a heartbeat.

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2000

Too bad Bush's camp smashed McCains bid for the whitehouse. I know I would have voted for him and believe many others, demo and repug would have also.

Maybe we should let him stand in until this contraversy is over... in two or three years.

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2000