Absolutely!!! Chaney will step down next year for health reasons and Bush will appoint Dr. Rice as VP, leaving her the front runner for 2008.
If I am not incorrect on this point, Dr. Rice will actually be the fourth person in line to succeed the President if such a disaster were to occur. Number Four to lead the United States of America, out of 250 million people. Not bad.
My prediction since Novemebr, give Cheney 1 or two years, Condi will be VP, dare them to go against her for VP. Then she's the UNBEATABLE nominee for prez, with (hopefull, for insult to injury) Jeb as VP.
I have speculated something like this along the same lines on other threads, but see George Allen as the likely candidate:
Bush is a business executive at heart with a Harvard MBA. Savvy business executives implement effective succession plans.
Bush may have a succession plan that sees Cheney serving through the 2006 election, resigning to become an advisor to the upcoming 2008 campaign. Then George Bush could appoint George Allen as his VP -- especially if a Republican governor is elected after Warner's term is up.
There would then be an sense of incumbency running against the Democrat pack in 2008 together with 2 years more of national name recognition for Allen and Bush's personal political grooming for the job when he retires from office.
Never happen.
Not gonna happen.
The first in line would be the speaker of the house.
Then Senate leader.