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Duke Law

Series

2008

Constitutional Interpretation

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Law

Why The Incompatibility Clause Applies To The Office Of The President, Saikrishna Bangalore Prakash Nov 2008

Why The Incompatibility Clause Applies To The Office Of The President, Saikrishna Bangalore Prakash

Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy Sidebar

Professor Saikrishna Bangalore Prakash responds to Mr. Seth Barret Tillman's Article and defends the traditional interpretation of the Incompatibility Clause, under which a President is prohibited from simultaneously serving as a congressional representative. The ramifications that would result if a President could also hold a position in the Senate or the House of Representatives, Professor Prakash argues, are too problematic for Mr. Tillman's reading to replace the traditional understanding of the Incompatibility Clause. Therefore, the next President, whether Senator McCain or Senator Obama, would need to resign from the Senate before assuming the Executive Office.


Why Our Next President May Keep His Or Her Senate Seat: A Conjecture On The Constitution’S Incompatibility Clause, Seth Barrett Tillman Nov 2008

Why Our Next President May Keep His Or Her Senate Seat: A Conjecture On The Constitution’S Incompatibility Clause, Seth Barrett Tillman

Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy Sidebar

In this Article, Mr. Seth Barrett Tillman challenges the traditional interpretation of the Incompatibility Clause and argues that the President may serve both as the Chief Executive and as a member of Congress. Mr. Tillman utilizes the text, history, and structure of the Constitution to support his position. He ultimately concludes that whoever serves as the next President -- Senator Obama or Senator McCain -- need not resign from the Senate before assuming the Executive Office.