Watching the new tv series "Designated Survivor"
question Why during the President State of the Union address does the VP
need to sit there when he should be the Designated Survivor and not be there.
Seems pretty dumb to have him there just sitting.
But I'm an intelligent person not a politician.
The President and Vice President should NEVER be together.
Baltimore Bob / Righteous Robert
He's also the President of the Senate.
They've done it at every state of the Union in modern times....not a problem if you think the Capitol is secure
The two never being in the same place, at the same time, even under the most secure of circumstances (such as the SotU), would make being true partners rather difficult. The entire point of the SotU is that the President is supposed to be addressing the country, and just as importantly, the decision makers that lead this country in all facets.
An easier answer to your question though is this: the Senate attends the SotU address. The Vice President is head of the Senate, and is thereby expected to attend.
[deleted]
There are some good answers below. But it does make me question if such a protocol like designated survivor is real. And if not, maybe it should be.
shareIt's a backup plan that has existed since the cold war, this lists some of the designated survivors since 1981:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_survivor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decapitation_strike
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_line_of_succession