| colonic polyps |
Two benign colonic polyps were removed in 1998 and 1999, while Bush was governor of Texas [37]. Bush underwent follow-up colonoscopy on June 29, 2002, at Camp David. He denied signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer, but underwent the procedure to be "super-cautious" about his health [37]. The results of the examination were reported to be normal.
Supposedly, another of the reasons Bush underwent the procedure was "to underscore its importance for people over 50 who are at risk" [21]. Before the 20-minute procedure, Bush invoked section 3 of the 25th Amendment, temporarily transferring Presidential powers to Vice President Cheney -- the first time an official transfer of power had been made under that provision of the Constitution. Bush commented: "I'm the first president to have done so (transferred power) under this type of procedure and/or physical examination. I did so because we're at war" [21]. Comment: It is often written that Ronald Reagan used section 3 of the 25th Amendment to transfer power to his Vice President on July 13, 1985 before undergoing surgery for colon cancer. However, Reagan did not explicitly invoke the 25th Amendement [1a]. Details of the procedure were released [More]. Bush will likely undergo repeat colonoscopy in 5 years [21]. |
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With the following letter to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate [34] (and to the Speaker of the House), Bush transferred power to the Vice President:
June 29, 2002
Dear Mr. President:
As my staff has previously communicated to you, I will undergo this
morning a routine medical procedure requiring sedation. In view of
present circumstances, I have determined to transfer temporarily my
Constitutional powers and duties to the Vice President during the brief
period of the procedure and recovery.
Accordingly, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the
Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, this letter
shall constitute my written declaration that I am unable to discharge
the Constitutional powers and duties of the office of President of the
United States. Pursuant to Section 3, the Vice President shall
discharge those powers and duties as Acting President until I transmit
to you a written declaration that I am able to resume the discharge of
those powers and duties.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
With the following letter to the Speaker of the House [35] (and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate), Bush reasserted power:
June 29, 2002
Dear Mr. Speaker:
In accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, this letter shall constitute my written declaration that I am presently able to resume the discharge of the Constitutional powers and duties of the office of President of the United States. With the transmittal of this letter, I am resuming those powers and duties effective immediately.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
Interestingly, these letters were faxed, not hand-delivered, to their recipients [37]. Comment: This opens an interesting scenario: what if the faxes had sat in the machine, unread?
June 29, 2002 was a Saturday. Maybe no one was working on Capitol Hill that day. If a fax is sent and
no one reads it, is it like a tree falling in the woods with no one to hear it?
Also note that I have preserved the exact punctuation of the White House web page.
It's beyond me why the President's staff feels it necessary to SHOUT HIS NAME all in capitals.
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