Carl Albert

Carl Bert Albert (May 10, 1908 - February 4, 2000) was a lawyer and American politician from Oklahoma. He is most well-known for his service as Speaker of the House from 1971 to 1977. Known as the "Little Giant from Little Dixie," he held the highest political office of any Oklahoman in history. (see also: Little Dixie)

Related Topics:
May 10 - 1908 - February 4 - 2000 - Lawyer - American - Politician - Oklahoma - Speaker of the House - 1971 - 1977 - Little Dixie

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He represented the southeastern portion of Oklahoma as a Democrat for thirty years, starting in 1947. He was a Cold War liberal, supporting President Harry S. Truman's containment of , as well as such domestic measures as public housing, federal aid to education, and farm price supports.

Related Topics:
Democrat - 1947 - Cold War - Liberal - Harry S. Truman

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As Speaker of the House, Albert was next in line to assume the presidency following the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew. As the Watergate crisis began to unfold, many believed that President Richard Nixon would resign before Congress could appoint a replacement, which would have made Albert his successor.

Related Topics:
Spiro Agnew - Watergate - Richard Nixon

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Albert was confronted with the question of whether it was appropriate for a Democrat to assume the nation's highest office when there was a public mandate for it to be held by the opposing party. Albert considered that he had no right to a White House that the American people had entrusted to a Republican. He thus announced that should he need to assume the presidency, he would do so only in an acting capacity, and would resign immediately after Congress appointed a Republican Vice President. Though the scenario never panned out, Albert nevertheless established an important precedent. The precedent, if such, flies in the face of all previous successions.

Related Topics:
Republican - Acting

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Albert never was confronted with the issue of succession. However, during his last term in office, he was confronted with the Tongsun Park scandal and was accused of having accepted bribes from a lobbyist who was also a member of South Korean intelligence. Albert decided to retire at the end of the Congress.

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