Posted on 02/19/2005 4:43:15 AM PST by pookie18
Vice President Dick Cheney likely will step down next year due to health reasons and be replaced by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, according to a report by geopolitical expert Jack Wheeler.
On his website, To the Point, Wheeler reports there's a "red-breasted rumor bird" flying around Capitol Hill that has whispered the same thing to most congressional committee chairmen.
"We all know that Dick Cheney has been the best vice president of modern times, perhaps in American history," one such chairman told Wheeler. "And we know that he absolutely will not run for president in 2008. Further, he has an unfortunate history of heart trouble. So let's just say none of us will be surprised if, sometime next year, he will step down from the vice presidency due to his health."
Continued the source: "Should this happen, President Bush would need to appoint his replacement, just as Richard Nixon chose Gerald Ford to replace Spiro Agnew. It is quite clear to us whom the president would choose should he need to: Condoleezza Rice."
Wheeler goes on to analyze what such a scenario would mean for the 2008 presidential election.
Writes Wheeler: "Being a sitting vice president places Condi in an impregnable position for the GOP nomination in 2008 and sucks every breath of wind from Hillary's sails. Historically, it's hard for a party to keep the White House after they've had it for eight years. This is George Bush and Dick Cheney's way to buck history – and make it."
Serving as Bush's national security adviser during his first term, Rice took over the State Department last month.
**My son had the same surgery as Clinton after Clinton had his and looks terrific..I do know about Clinton's health..but he does not look "healthy".**
Exactly especially when you consider Cheney had the same op in August 1988 and then was appointed Sec of Defense in Jan 1989 one definely wonders what health Clinton is in he seems to aged dramatically IMHO since the op he did not look that bad at the DNC last year
Uh yea. Duh. The whole point of the discussion is IF Cheney steps down the best person to replace him is Condi. Do you have a better suggestion for VP is Cheney leaves? If so, Pony up!
Typical World Net Daily fare.
Condi to replace Cheney next year? Report: Vice president likely to step down 'due to his health' ^
Really?..This rumor has been going on for so long.
I think you recall correctly. But he's also stated he won't run for the presidency. So that would leave the Republican party high and dry in 08. He can always claim after the statement that his doctors have insisted he step down.
If Hillary runs in 08, which she probably will, the Republicans have to run Rice or someone with similar demographic appeal. I don't think that's the way to get the most qualified person into the highest office on earth, but it would keep Hillary from that office.
Give me five good reasons why C. Rice should be seriously considered a POTUS candidate in 2008.
I can't think of one, but my track record of doing this off the top of my head isn't very good :)
I completely agree. Academic degrees are becoming less and less acceptable credentials to any type of office. She also has never been elected to a position so she has never had to listen to and work for a constituency. Playing the piano and speaking various languages mean nothing if you can't keep your voice from breaking when you're under pressure.
It's a shame politics has gotten to this, running someone for their demographic appeal rather than qualifications. If this happens, Rice would become THE poster child of affirmative action.
Beltway rumor mongers are far too numerous.
She will stay as Secretary of State.
I'm just curious, what changes has she negotiated that prove she's strong in international diplomacy?
Yes, I know that. I read the papers too. It is also the title of the thread, and hense the topic of discussion.
So, if you object to Condi then who better to replace Cheney?
I don't object..I simply am saying the VP is not exactly a a sure place to run for President..Only Theodore Roosevelt and Bush sr have successfully run for President this past century while serving as VPs.
I believe Rice is sorely needed as Secy of State.
This story is very poorly backed up. It's sheer speculation.
Even if Condi wants to run, and even if she'd be a stronger candidate as vice president than as (recently resigned) secretary of state -- both huge "ifs" -- I can't believe that Bush wants to lose Cheney, or that Cheney would quit if Bush still wants him, absent an extremely serious health issue. Things this dramatic rarely happen in politics, and Cheney is not an especially dramatic guy.
I am not disagreeing with you there. I believe that her psoition there is the best ave. for a Condi run in 08. However, I can think of no one better suited for Second in Command than Condi if Cheney steps down. Zell miller perhaps? LOL
You would think it is written in stone...Saturday fluff.
While intelligent and capable, Ridge has all the charisma of a cardboard box. It would be like Gore running for prez...again.
"A lot of guessing by the author of this article based on rumors."
Jack Wheeler- anyone know if this guy has been right on anything besides selling his newsletter?
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