AllMovie

While provisions are in place for just such an occurrence, the death of a president is always a shock to the nation. The statistics are sobering: nearly one in five presidents has died while in office. The American President: Happenstance takes a look at events set in motion once this happens, and how the man formerly second-in-command reacts when suddenly elevated to the presidency. When a vice president has been selected to complete a campaign ticket for reasons other than strong and charismatic leadership abilities, can he rise to the demands of the highest office in the nation?