For what reasons would the President of the United States hand over temporary command to someone else?

Question

I'm writing a novel, and i need to know some possible reasons the president might temporarily hand over the presidency to someone else.

Answer 1

Vice President Nixon on three occasions stepped in temporarily and unofficially, to run the government while President Eisenhower was ill.  

The Twenty-fifth Amendment deals with succession of the presidency.  And deals with how the Vice President can assume office as acting president when the president is unable to carry out his duties.

Answer 2

As many d**n reasons as the president can think up. He does not need a reason to voluntarily hand over temporary power, but three letters.

In the past, this has been done for anything that would render him incapable of performing his duties.

The other method (never invoked) is if the VP and the majority of the cabinet deem him unable, at which point they forcibly turn power to the VP.

Answer 3

He's undergoing surgery.

Answer 4

The only real example I can think of is surgery, when the President is incapacitated.

The TV show "24" has already been mentioned.  I think "West Wing" had a plotline where the President turned power over to the Speaker of the House (there not being a V.P. at that point) because his daughter had been kidnapped.

Answer 5

Obviously, health related or if he were killed, assasinated or plane crash.. Good Luck..

Answer 6

If he was in a coma.

It happened on 24 after the president was shot.  He handed power over to his VP and then got power back when he woke up from his coma.

Answer 7

Injury, like an assassination attempt, Major surgery where he would be under anesthetic, sometimes when they are out of the country, they will transfer power while gone.