Gale Norton (The Capitol Burns)
From Alternative History
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| Order: | 44th |
| President from: | January 29,2002- present |
| Vice President: | Richard B. Myers |
| Preceded by: | George W. Bush |
| Succeeded by: | Incumbent |
| Born: | March 11, 1954 Wichita, Kansas |
| Political Party: | Republican |
| Spouse: | John Hughes |
Gale Ann Norton (b. March 11, 1954) is the 44th President of the United States, ascending to the office on January 29, 2002 after the death of President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and most of the Cabinet on that date during a terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol building. Norton, Secretary of the Interior at the time, was the 'designated survivor' and was thus not present during the attack. She is the first woman to become President, the first President from Colorado and the first pro-choice Republican.
President Norton's first action was to nominate a strong Vice President, in the form of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Richard Myers, then invoked the 25th Amendment and recused herself from office. She said at the time, and repeated later, that she needed some time to herself after being 'catapulted' into the most powerful office in the world. She also said she chose Myers because he was the most qualified person in America to lead in the wake of such a disaster.
President Norton has enjoyed high approval ratings throughout her time in office, as high as 97% immediately following the attack. Her popularity is higher among independent voters than either of the major parties. Democrats, though they support her actions in response to the 1/29 attack, have criticised her on her environmental record and support for polluters, while many Republicans have attacked her on her pro-choice stance. The President's critics refrained from making their attacks until the 2004 election; with the 'state of emergency' persisting for so long, partisan politics was deemed inappropriate by both parties and the media.
| Preceded by Wikipedia: George W. Bush | President of the United States of America January 25, 1999 - present | Succeeded by Incumbent |
