GOP could still take over

Although President Obama can claim an election night victory, a loophole in the Electoral College process might allow the Republicans to claim the White House.

On Jan. 6, Congress meets in joint session to count the electoral votes and declare the winners of the election. As part of the process, the Senate and House of Representatives each appoint two tellers to count the electoral votes.

However, the Republican House majority could boycott the meeting. Absent House leadership, the House cannot convene and appoint its tellers to count the votes.

The Electoral College process is stopped. On Jan. 20, Barack Obama and Joe Biden cease to be president and vice president of the United States.

The person next in the line of succession, House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican, becomes President of the United States.

Robert Urbanek