Republicans Rally Around Cheney as Rumors Swirl

Yahoooo via Reuters ^ | 2/25/04

[areafiftyone]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) and other Republicans are rallying around Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) as they seek to quash rumors that Bush might ultimately replace Cheney on his re-election ticket.

Some pundits believe that if Bush is struggling in the polls a few months from now as the 2004 campaign moves into high gear, he might boost his chances for re-election by picking a running mate other than Cheney.

Helping to spur an already active Washington rumor mill was the Feb. 14 cover story in the National Journal which depicted a stern-faced Cheney standing next Bush.

"Just the ticket?" queried the headline. "Does having Dick Cheney as his running mate help or hurt George W. Bush in 2004?"

The article mentioned potential successors to Cheney such as former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (news - web sites) and Bush national security adviser Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites).

At a Republican governors fund-raiser that marked the kickoff of his 2004 campaign, Bush gave a ringing endorsement of Cheney and in a joking way, alluded obliquely to rumors he might be mulling a change.

He quipped that he had put Cheney in charge of his vice presidential search committee, as he had originally done in the 2000 campaign.

"He tells me he's reviewed all the candidates, and he's come back with the same recommendation as last time," Bush said. "In fact, I made the choice myself, and I have taken the measure of this man. They don't come any better, and I am proud to have Dick Cheney by my side."

The National Journal article said there were "grumblings" among some Republicans who felt that removing Cheney from the ticket might be helpful to Bush because the vice president has been a key target of Democratic attacks for such issues as his past role as head of energy company Halliburton Co., the energy firm that contracts in post-war Iraq (news - web sites).

Cheney's negative ratings in public opinion polls regularly are the worst of anyone in the Bush administration.

DEMOCRATS MORE LIKELY TO BELIEVE RUMORS

There seem to be far more Democrats than Republicans, however, who buy into the rumors that Cheney might end up off of the Bush re-election ticket.

The scenario envisioned by some political analysts is that Cheney might bow out of the Bush-Cheney re-election race sometime before the Republican convention begins in late August.

The vice president, who has a history of heart trouble, could cite his health as a way to take himself out of the race without it appearing that he was pushed out, said Douglas Brinkley, a historian and author of a book at the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites)..

"If there's a feeling that if Democrats have momentum (ahead of the Republican convention), a shake-up will be in order and Cheney will, due to health reasons, resign," Brinkley said.

While opposition to Cheney may help energize the Democratic base, the flip-side is that he also spurs the base of his own party.

"There is a better likelihood that I will be abducted by aliens than that Cheney will get dumped from the ticket," said one Republican official, who called Cheney "indispensable" to the Bush administration.

Cheney, considered by many historians to be one of the most influential vice presidents in modern times, has had crucial roles in everything from helping to shape and sell Bush's tax cuts to advocating action in advance of the Iraq war.

He is frequently the White House's key liaison to Capitol Hill when sensitive issues arise, such as a deadlock during the fall over Bush's proposals to overhaul energy policy and decisions over whether to appoint a commission to investigate flaws in prewar intelligence on Iraq regarding weapons of mass destruction.

"I don't think he's an impediment in any way to President Bush's re-election prospects," said Gary Bauer (news - web sites), head of American Values, a group that advocates conservative social positions

[beckysueb]

How long does Cheney have to pay for being a former employee of a company? Besides who else but the Dims are questioning Haliburton. Looks to me like all Haliburton is guilty of is being a big corporation. They do work around the world that no one else can do. and besides, something like the last 4 or 5 presidents used the services of Haliburton. I don't understand peoples jealousy at other peoples success.

[MEG33]

You know this ,how?The President made a point of knocking down this rumor at the Republican Governor's dinner,saying Cheney is his pick.Do you know somthing the President doesn't know?

I think Cheney is terrific.

[beachn4fun]

He quipped that he had put Cheney in charge of his vice presidential search committee, as he had originally done in the 2000 campaign. "He tells me he's reviewed all the candidates, and he's come back with the same recommendation as last time," Bush said. "In fact, I made the choice myself, and I have taken the measure of this man. They don't come any better, and I am proud to have Dick Cheney by my side."

Isn't it funny how you haven't heard much from the liberals/media about Cheney until the President put this in his speech?

[rocky88]

"It's in the media and right here on FR.I wonder if some suggesting Guilliani replace Cheney are really Republicans.I like Guilliani but he is not a good replacement as a VP.He is more likely to be a good candidate for NY Senator."

I'm one of those people, and I'm a Republican! I think Guiliani is a good Veep choice against a Kerry/? ticket because Guiliani appeals to swing voters MUCH more than Cheney. Cheney is perceived by many as sneaky and inaccessable. And besides, even though Guiliani is not as conservative as we'd like, how much damage could he do as a Veep?

[DoctorMichael]

"...Bush-Frist '04..."

Colon Bowel steps down (thank goodness)........

.......Cheney becomes Sec. of State.........

........Bush-Frist '04

No problem.

[areafiftyone]

Even though I am a Guliani fan - I don't believe Bush would give up Cheney. Cheney can smash any one of the dems in a debate. He is a quick wit too. Bush has a great team and knows it. He is not going to give up Cheney unless he is a major risk to him and Cheney is not a risk. He has to be deaf on homosexuality because of his daughter. He should not be on the bully pulpit with this issue out of respect for her. He is playing it smart. This is a personal matter for him and his daughter and should not be put on the stage for all to see. Its the stupid media and gay rights advocates who can't leave his daughter out of it with that stupid website they put up.

[livius]

The only rumors that are swirling are the ones the media is starting

Too true. For some reason, Cheney has the press and the Dems quaking in their miserable little boots.

[af_vet_1981]

At a Republican governors fund-raiser that marked the kickoff of his 2004 campaign, Bush gave a ringing endorsement of Cheney and in a joking way, alluded obliquely to rumors he might be mulling a change. He quipped that he had put Cheney in charge of his vice presidential search committee, as he had originally done in the 2000 campaign. "He tells me he's reviewed all the candidates, and he's come back with the same recommendation as last time," Bush said. "In fact, I made the choice myself, and I have taken the measure of this man. They don't come any better, and I am proud to have Dick Cheney by my side."

This is just another reason why I am voting for Bush/Cheney in 2004. I hope everyone here will join me.

[livius]

Frist? Who has managed to accomplish absolutey ZERO in his time as Majority Leader? Yes, the Dems would love that ticket, if that was what you meant by no problem.

[ex-Texan]

This rumor is getting legs because of Cheny's health. Saw Tim Russert in an interview weeks ago and he was of the opinion that Bush would tap Condi Rice to run as his Veep.

Read More on this web site which predicted a change to Condi Rice last year.

[carton253]

Well, didn't you just add great insight into this thread.

I'll put you down as "not a fan of Cheney."

[j_k_l]

"...Mr. Bush has to do with the Texas Rangers..."

Now that you mention it, the Rangers just traded A-Rod (the best player in the game) for a bag of balls and agreed to pay part of his contract. How could you vote for Bush knowing that he ran an organization like that?

The above was brought to you by Kerry 2004

[Protagoras]

The only rumors that are swirling are the ones the media is starting, and the wishful thinking of the DemonRATS.

Not unless they are long time posters on this site, many of whom have been speculating on this for months, if not years.

[BlackRazor]

Take it to the bank....Bush-Frist '04

The governor of Tennessee is a Democrat. I doubt the GOP wants to give up a Senate seat in a 51-48-1 Senate, so I can't see this happening.

[areafiftyone]

I am definitely voting Bush/Cheney. I could never ever vote for Kerry. The whole idea of Kerry in the White House scares the hell out of me.

[ex-Texan]

Oops! Better Link !

[BlackRazor]

If the GOP doesn't prepare a successor to Bush for 2008 we are setting ourselves up for a hard lesson.

What lesson would that be? You do realize that sitting vice-presidents have lost 3 out of 4 elections in the past 50 years? Maybe the lesson is that the party should turn to a fresh face, unaffiliated with the current administration.

[Oldsailor]

Looks to me as though you are on the wrong forum here. Maybe you could do a search and find the "pro Kerry" forums.

[SuziQ]

The only rumors that are swirling are the ones the media is starting, and the wishful thinking of the DemonRATS

You got that right!! They are trying to sway some squishy Republicans into thinking there are problems with the Bush/Cheney team. Ain't gonna happen!

[BibChr]

I agree with everything you say except about Cheney and his daughter. I will continue to give him a pass on that, as long as he continues not to carry his moral blind spot into his governance.

I don't agree that he "has to" be blind on that issue. I have four kids; I don't change my moral stances to accomodate wrong or destructive things one of my children might choose to do. Instead, because I love them, I try to warn them away from them, one way or another.

These parents who come out "supportive" of children who've chosen soul-destroying, suicidal, repulsive lifestyles are failing them badly. If they loved them, and had a clue, they'd not support what will ultimately destroy their child.

Dan