MSNBC and FNC Democrat analyst thinks Cheney could still end up off the ticket

MSNBC-TV ^ | 1-2-04 | Me via watching MSNBC

[luckydevi]

No, it is not going to happen, he is pro choice.

[Republican Wildcat]

I disagree. Veeps historically don't do well.

[rbessenger]

I'm a "Big Time" Cheney fan, If the republicans dump Cheney for no good reason, I might dump them.
P> The GOP would never "dump" Cheney- if he is replaced on the ticket it will only be because he (and the president) have decided it is for the best. I agree it would be a good thing to have a younger, healthier VP to be set for a 2008 race against Hillary.

[Republican Wildcat]

It's mighty strange that Baker is there to apparently sweep out administration officials when he's spending all that time over in foreign nations. You'd think he was really just acting as the President's envoy to negotiate the reduction of Iraq's debt with those countries.

[Coop]

That's the genius of it all! ;-) By sending Baker in, a close compatriot and former colleague of Powell and Cheney, they'll never suspect a thing.

[JohnnyZ]

I'll bet a $50 donation to FR that if Cheney drops out, Ridge will replace him!

Ridge could be a caretaker choice at VP if Cheney were to retire @~2006. Someone who could attend state funerals and all that. But he's no president in the making. Dull as dirt, and a pro-abort to boot.

[Glenn]

Most pointless debate of the day award to this thread.

Thanks for your input.

[Cold Heat]

Cheney, by his own admission and verified by other family members came into the administration to help get it started and to lend his vast experience to the White House.

He is slated to retire, but he could stay. I think it would likely be up to him.

The Dem's have tried to make him a pariah with the Halliburton BS and now they are parsing his old speeches during the war.

What they do not seem to understand is that this president does not give a rats ass what they say.

To sum up, it would not surprise me if he backed out and left the position open for a 2008 prospect.

Condi is a possibility, but so are others. I would prefer to see Condi as a governor or Senator.

The VP slot is not a great place to position yourself from. Ask Al Gore! Personally, I think Colin Powell would be good for the job. It would be a natural evolution from the State Dept. and he would do a great job in that slot plus be good for the ticket, IMHO.

[JohnnyZ]

"I think Condi would be political gold..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Do you get the impression that only a handful of us get it?

Having a conservative black woman on the ticket would indeed be political gold for the GOP. But then again she's pro-choice, which would piss off a lot of social conservatives. And were she to run for the nomination in 2008 as sitting VP, the media would label anyone NOT supporting her -- her light resume, ideological weakness, and untested campaigning being three excellent reasons to support a stronger candidate like Jeb or Sanford or Pawlenty -- as racist. Republicans end up castigated as bigots and religious radicals while Democrats savage Condi as an Uncle Tom.

Political fools gold . . .

[Ramcat]

"I think Cheney will run again but, if not, I'd love to see Rick Santorum as the VP pick. Could secure Pennsylvania and maybe Ohio for GW."

This makes sense but I don't see it happenning.
The party needs a pro life candidate for 2008 and Rick wins elections in a Democrat state.

[ASA Vet]

VP Cheney will resign about 2006 (citing health reasons.)
Condi will be his replacement, giving her 2 years as incumbent VP.
Comrade Hillary will get go down in flames in 2008 running against Condi.

[Momaw Nadon]

Having a conservative black woman on the ticket would indeed be political gold for the GOP. But then again she's pro-choice, which would piss off a lot of social conservatives.

Condi Rice would be a brilliant choice for Vice President, EXCEPT SHE IS PRO-CHOICE.

Having a pro-choice Republican be the nominee for President in 2008 may tear apart the Republican party.

[Conservative_Nationalist]

Bush doesn't need a Powell or Guiliani for vice president when neither of those guys are even as conservative as Bush. Guiliani would help bush win reelection but then he would run in 08 and we would be stuck with an even more liberal republican. Bush needs a VP that is more conservative than he is and if it's not Cheney it should be someone like him. I don't think Powell, Guiliani, or even Rice are good choices. We need a very strong conservative for VP.

[JohnnyZ]

Tom Ridge is a terrific person and I'm sure he's a wonderful administrator/leader but he is about as inspriing as accountant or an actuary.

You best lay off the actuary comments 'fo we inspire your insurance rates to double!

[ASA Vet]

I've been thinking the same exact thing for the last 6 months

I know, and I'd like you to stop thinking so loudly.

[Bean Counter]

This is an interesting point to ponder. I repect Dick Cheney completely. He is a great vice president. However, looking down the road to the '08 race, it would make perfect sense to have someone on the ticket with Bush who would be in a position to challenge Hitlery; and Condi fits that ticket perfectly.

I have no doubt that Condi will run in '08, and running as the sitting Vice President, first female Vice President, first Black Presidential candidated, etc., would make her un-defeatable.

Again, replacing Dick Cheney with Condi would NOT be a reflection on Cheney. It would be a smart strategic move on Bush's part.

Go Condi!!