Tales of the Designated Survivor Quiz

Answer: During the Cold War

During the Cold War when Americans feared a nuclear attack, the concept of a "designated survivor" was introduced. Surprisingly, according to sources read, the practice only goes back to 1981, when Terrell Bell, the Secretary of Education, was chosen to be the designated survivor when the President spoke before a joint session of Congress. Of course, the person selected for the role must meet the same qualifications as someone running for the office of President of the United States; they must be 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and a resident of the United States for at least fourteen years.

Answer: Presidential inauguration

The designated survivor will be chosen for an event which involves a large gathering of top government officials, such as a presidential inauguration. Another event during which a designated survivor would be selected is the annual State of the Union message that is given to Congress each January. Of course, the purpose of the position is to provide for an uninterrupted continuation of governmental matters if a tragic event, such as the simultaneous deaths of top government officials, were to happen.

Answer: Cabinet Secretary

The Vice-President of the United States seems a likely choice, and has been recorded as the designated survivor at times; for example, Dick Cheney was one of the designated survivors when President Bush addressed a joint session of Congress after the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Even though the other choices listed are important officials in the United States, the designated survivor must one of the officials listed in the succession protocol, and aside from the Vice-President, Speaker of the House, and the President pro tempore of the Senate, all of the others on the protocol are Cabinet members.

Answer: False

The protocol in place concerning the role of the designated survivor is very strictly enforced; it is considered to be a breach of security to give any information concerning the experience. It is, apparently, acceptable to discuss who was the designated survivor after the fact, given the ease of finding a current list, but according to an article in the "Washington Post", the designated survivors they tried to reach did not return calls or answer any questions regarding the event.

Answer: A specific unknown location

It appears that in the past the designated survivor had been allowed to choose their own safe haven; for example, in 1997 Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture, chose to stay at his daughter's home. Since September 11, 2001, it is believed that the designated survivor has been taken to the same secure government location, believed to be a couple of hours away from Washington, D.C.

Answer: Secret Service Agents

In addition to the protection provided by Secret Service agents, the designated survivor also has the company of military and communication aides for obvious reasons. Should such an event occur that would kill many of those officials in line for presidential succession, the designated survivor would need the assistance and advice of top aides.

The designated survivor is not given a briefing as to what MIGHT happen; instead the necessary people are available to him in case it does.

Answer: It may be necessary to rebuild both the Executive and Legislative Branches of government

In both of the situations where a designated survivor is commonly used, not only those members of the Executive Branch of government are present, but many members of Congress are there as well. It was considered a necessary move to have someone who could lead the rebuilding of the Legislative Branch as well. Lists of designated survivors do not always reveal this practice, but it must be remembered that it is considered to be a breach of protocol to discuss such matters.

In an article by the "Washington Post" it is stated that the use of two designated survivors has been in practice for the 'last decade', which means it would have been put into effect sometime in 2006.

Answer: False

There was a situation in 2010 which best illustrates the correct answer to this question. At the State of the Union Address, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan was chosen to be the designated survivor. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, however, was also absent from the speech because she was participating in a conference in London.

In the event of a catastrophic event, Secretary of State Clinton would have become President because she was a higher ranking official than Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Donovan.

Answer: A nuclear football

Also called an atomic football, the button, and the black box, the nuclear football is in a briefcase that contains the means to allow the President to declare nuclear war. The case contains launch codes and has a small antenna to allow for transmission; predetermined war plans are available to assist in determining which course the designated survivor should take. Carried by a presidential military aide, the nuclear football is readily available to the President or Acting President at all times.

Ministerial boxes, also called red boxes, are used by government officials in England to carry official documents.

Answer: Presidential Succession Act

Throughout the years, the rules of succession in the United States changed. For example, in 1792 the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore were included in the line of succession; by 1888 those two officials were removed. In 1947, President Harry S Truman signed the Presidential Succession Act, which is still used as the guide for presidential succession today.