AND THE NEXT PRESIDENT IS . . . . .

November, Election Day, and David Orville Consodine, known as Doc, has won the White House. But wait! He's dead! Who will become President? The winner's campaign organizes to secretly choose a replacement acceptable to their presidential electors when they vote in six weeks. Recall Bush-Gore 2000, that the President is really elected only when the electors cast their ballots. A reporter, Alden Crooks, learns that Doc was dead even before the balloting and that the opposition party has secretly mobilized to cajole, strong arm and extort electors to vote against the designated successor so that they may gain what they did not win at the ballot box. He also learns of possible foul play in Doc's death and plans a tell-all book for before the electors vote. Both parties threaten him with ruin and worse if he discloses the truth. Alden Crooks challenges the forces against him. While the opposing parties head for the conclusion of their efforts, his fate hangs in the balance.