Is Cheney ready to do what's got to be done in this election campaign?

Brilliant | 2/17/2004 | Brilliant

[Brilliant]

My personal opinion is that this is going to be the nastiest Presidential race since the 19th Century, and I think that Cheney does not have the personality to go toe to toe with Kerry and his number two. I think that Guiliani would be a better choice. Guiliani is too liberal for my tastes, but on the other hand, he might be able to deliver NY, and he is certainly the kind of guy who could sling mud with Kerry. I don't think it would be smart for Bush to wade too deep into the mire, and Cheney's too easy going to do it.

[BobS]

Ann Coulter for VP!

'nuff said:)

[alwaysconservative]

I totally agree about the smell. LOL!

[Let's Roll]

Cheney looked great against Lieberman ... somebody is smoking something. Also, he's the only one I'd rather have in the oval office if it couldn't be GWB - and isn't that the point?

[Neets]

It's the way they work....come all, all nicey nice...agree with everyone for a while..then WHAM!! Move in for the kill.

An unadulterated act of Non-Brilliance.

[Hand em their arse]

Cheney is the man we want on the ticket for 04' unless there is some Haliburton mess in the background that we have not found out about. I doubt there is but Dick seemed to be in the public eye much more than he has been lately.

Bush did transfor into the man and president we see before us now and that could be why Cheney has stepped back. Bush has now demonstrated he presidential he is. However, I can see Cheney step down in 06' and I would enjoy seeeing someone like Condi asked to replace him and then spank the ever-loving snot out of NY closet-lesbian in 08'!!

[labard1]

"I'm sure he wouldn't run if he knew his health was a potential issue."

I don't disagree with you. On the other hand, how can his health not be "a potential issue"? He's a very intelligent, hard working, extremely solid guy. And a excellent wit. I have nothing but respect and affection for him. But I just think the health issue takes him out for 2008, even if it is much more likely than not that he could survive his term.

And I should not have raised the issue of his age. Thanks for the facts.

[hershey]

Cheney's a very, very big gun in this admin.. Remember back a couple of months ago when some RAT reporter was complaining that it wasn't fair that Cheney had so much control over Bush's thinking? He sits in on all the national security meetings, plus daily meetings, then gets to talk to Bush in private on the way back to the oval office,(thus brainwashing Bush, who, according to the RATs hasn't the brains to think for himself). Cheney has extraordinary influence. The RATS hate him because he's a conservative, who has America's best interests at heart.

[demkicker]

Kerry is already swinging, and Bush/Cheney are just taking the punches. Someone has got to fight back. It's got to be Cheney. Where is he?

You've got to be kidding! It isn't the V.P.'s job to defend Bush. Bush has the bully pulpit and HE should use it more. Cheney is great with appearances and interviews and does them often. He doesn't come out daily defending their administration because it would be inappropriate and the press would have another field day calling him "the REAL president".

As I said before, when Dick Cheney merely walks into a room, he makes the E.F. Hutton crowd sound noisy. Other than Rumsfeld, no one threatens and scares liberals in to death. I thank God everyday that Bush is influenced by Dick Cheney on many critical issues and draws from his wisdom and intelligence.

[texasflower]

Outstanding post. I am 100% in agreement.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I'm comfortable with the fact that Cheney can chew up and spit out anything the Democrats could place in the VP slot. The only thing that could lessen an appearance by Cheney in a VP debate in the fall - would be some silly format ("town hall", "voter forum", etc. etc. etc.). Republicans who negotiate with the Democrats over location and format of the single VP "debate" should make it more of a formal debate structure than any of the silliness that has been delivered in the Democratic Primary appearances. In a serious point-counterpoint, punch-counterpunch format - Cheney is capable of grinding up anyone.

But of course, this assumes that Cheney will be the VP nominee. The Republicans are totally in the driver's seat due to the scheduling of the conventions - I think there may be 10-14 days from the Democratic convention to the Republicans - and if Bush needs to pull a rabbit out of his hat and switch VP's (Dr. Condoleezza Rice, anyone?) he'll have a good look at the Democratic ticket and time to poll and test combinations.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Kerry is going to make it look like beating Dukakis was hard.

I look at it, and I see the same thing. Kerry dramatically threw his claim to military valor away onto the WH lawn--yet after that leadership by Kerry we are supposed to think of GWB as a slacker if the reporters and other Democrats can insinuate that Bush didn't cross every "t" and dot every "i" in the Air National Guard??? By the logic Kerry promulgated at the time, Bush was wrong not to throw monkey wrenches into the works of every plane on the base!!

Bush only gave up the bottle and got serious twenty years ago--and he's spent the past decade of that time as governor of Texas and president of the United States. People don't become president at all if they don't attain national office within 15 years of becoming a senator or governor; Kerry is old news in his twentieth year in the Senate. And people like executive experience in their presidential candidates; I know of no case of a senator winning election to the presidency over a former governor, never mind a sitting president.

All that screams "Landslide!" And then there is the cold reality that Bush won by 2 electoral votes in '00, and by about 500 votes in FL . . .

[labard1]

You're absolutely right. But Cheney has his influence because he is smart, knowledgeable, and has a powerful persona. He would have all that if he were a member of the second term Bush team, almost without regard to his nominal title. His role is not now mainly determined by being VP, but by his relationship with Dubya. My impression is that Secretary of State is likely to be open in the next term. Cheney could be strong there, for example. (I didn't mention Secretary of Defense because Rumsfeld is so fabulous in that role.)

[Rokke]

Oh, I was definitely being sarcastic. Cheney was absolutely brilliant and a key part of Bush winning in 2000. His brilliance has faded. In a debate, he would make Kerry look like a simpering, whining rat, but unfortunately he won't be debating Kerry. He will be whipping the floor with whatever poor sap is too stupid to refuse Kerry's offer to be his running mate.

[kaki]

Ain't NO WAY that Cheney should not run!! The idea of him stepping down in 2006 and preparing another (knowing he does not want the Presidency) a good possiblity. Mayor G may be the only one "SO FAR" to defeat Hillary in '08, but we have time to "groom" someone much more socially conservative!! Anyone have any thoughts??

[Rokke]

Oh, I was definitely being sarcastic. Cheney was absolutely brilliant and a key part of Bush winning in 2000. His brilliance hasn't faded. In a debate, he would make Kerry look like a simpering, whining rat, but unfortunately he won't be debating Kerry. He will be whipping the floor with whatever poor sap is too stupid to refuse Kerry's offer to be his running mate.

[demkicker]

Thank you.... I look FORWARD to when Cheney debates the dem V.P. candidate. Can you say mop up the floor?

[MissAmericanPie]

What campaign? Is there a campaign going on? Where?

[2nd Amendment]

I think this is kind of a stupid question. Cheney's experience has been invaluable to Bush. What this election is about is whether we can hold off the 50% of this country that is comprised of immoral moraons. Without the 500 or so bingo players in Florida in 2000 we would alrready be in moral oblivion. Gird up your loins and prepare to fight for the Bush-Cheney ticket now!

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

What's happened to Not As Brilliant As He Thought? He's not defending his position anymore. Where could he be?

[Rokke]

Dammit. I've been having computer problems all day. Hence the double posts. Please change "His brilliance has faded" to "HASN'T faded".

And I will go find a new computer.