I'm not sure she would consider Senator even then, and I can almost guarantee W wouldn't ask.
Here's some observations I've made recently that have me thinking about another possibility. See if you agree.
It seems to me that Dick Cheney has been much, much more visible since November 2nd than he formerly was. That includes the Imus interview, interview with Brit Hume, being the front man on the obvious threat regarding Iran, the inauguration, the trip to Afghanistan, the coming trip to Auschwitz and visits to European leaders, and so on. Not that many, but you could not list that many non-campaign public events that he did in the entire 3 years after 9/11.
Visibility during the inauguration goes without saying, but he seemed to be more 'out there,' more animated, and allowing himself to be more visible than usual. Also, W was heavy in his praise of Dick Cheney during and after the inauguration. That might be to lay to rest any rumors of Cheney's resignation, or just to express his genuine gratitude and admiration for the man, which is no doubt considerable, but it could have other reasons as well.
In the VP's interview with somebody (Brit, I think) he listed a number of reasons why he told George Bush in 1999 that he was not a good choice for VP. I could be mistaken, but I do not believe he listed as one of the reasons that he would never run for President, and therefore could be a Republican liability (in the future). We have heard him say many times that one of his strengths to the President is that he is not running for President himself. I could be mistaken, but I don't believe I've heard him say that in public lately.
Also, in a recent interview he was extolling the virtues of Condoleeza Rice at great length. Now, that might be only in support of her candidacy for SoS. But somehow I read between the lines to other possibilities.
All of these things leave me to wonder -- is it possible that Dick Cheney is contemplating a change of heart (quite literally) about running for President in 2008 if his health continues to be good through the next 2-3 years? And probably if he could talk his family into it. I'm thinking Lynne might not be enthusiastic about the possibility.
Is it possible that W, Cheney and Condoleeza Rice, maybe with the agreement of Republican higher-ups, have decided among themselves to leave open the possibility of a Cheney-Rice ticket for 2008, with Rice to run in 2012?
Just food for thought. And it's definitely not just wishful thinking on my part. Dick Cheney is one of my favorite men and most-admired politicians ever. I would really hate to see him thrown into that maelstrom. But if he were to choose it, it would certainly be because he wants it. I know I'd work hard for a Cheney-Rice ticket.
Just watch to see if he becomes far more visible in the next year, and far more accessible to the media. That will likely tell us all we need to know.
He said he wasn't running for anything in '08 during the VP debate.
Maybe. It could also be that G.W. is no longer bound to the myth that Cheney runs the show, making it possible for Cheney to be more prominent.
I'd love Cheney to run, but I just don't believe he will. I DO believe the W.H. could dangle Condi and Cheney out there as a possibility to keep people guessing. This plus his proven coattails in elections could keep Republicans in line even if neither seeks to run. Even putting Jeb's name out there, don't think he'll run, may serve to temper those that would seek to regulate G.W. to a lame duck status as excuse to do nothing the next four years.