That means President Pelosi would know that she’d need to act fast to get anything done in the White House. Prior to ascending to the presidency, Pelosi would have kept a close eye on the confusion and delayed vote certification. The more confusion and delay, the better her chances to be named president. She would have convened her senior leadership and most trusted advisers to come up with a one-day plan, a one-week plan and a one-month plan for her “presidency.”

Job one could be the U.S. Supreme Court if it appeared that Pelosi might have some time in the White House. President Trump has listed 20 potential justices he would potentially name. And if Pelosi had enough time to get Senate confirmation, might Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87 and in poor health, and Justice Stephen Breyer, 82, both appointed by President Bill Clinton, resign to give her the chance to name progressive Democratic replacements to the court? Then, Pelosi could cast her eyes toward judicial vacancies at the federal level across the country.

Any president can do a great deal of good, or initiate a great deal of partisan mischief, in a short time — especially if a game plan is mapped out weeks before the inauguration.