Secretary of Energy Steven Chu (right) and Sen. Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, ... more >Outgoing and embattled Energy Secretary Steven Chu was chosen by President Obama on Tuesday night as the “designated successor” — the person in the Cabinet who does not attend the State of the Union address.
Mr. Chu, who has announced his departure, was to stay away from the Capitol in the event that a catastrophe stuck the site of the president’s speech and all other government officials were incapacitated.
In that unlikely event, Mr. Chu would take control of the government temporarily.
The energy secretary is leaving after four years plagued by his role in the Solyndra solar-energy fiasco, in which the firm went bankrupt after the administration rushed ahead with more than $500 million in federal loan guarantees for the firm.
Mr. Obama has not chosen his successor at Energy.
© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Dave Boyer is a White House correspondent for The Washington Times. A native of Allentown, Pa., Boyer worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 2002 to 2011 and also has covered Congress for the Times. He is a graduate of Penn State University. Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
By Rand Paul
Obama acts as though we no longer have a Constitution
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Empowering mind/body/spirit and health dialogue along with cutting-edge, conscious social, political, and world commentary with Adam Omkara. Join the Evolution!
Viewing and reviewing the Los Angeles experimental and classic punk scene with a nod to Rodney's English Disco
One man’s perspective. Exploration and commentary designed to challenge the conventional thinking of day on the political issues affecting our nation.
Benghazi: The anatomy of a scandal
13 Photos
Vietnam Memorial adds four names
18 Photos
Cinco de Mayo on the Mall
11 Photos
NRA kicks off annual convention
8 Photos
California wildfires wreak havoc
37 Photos
