It's never too late for dance lessons.
Posted on 03/22/2005 4:50:48 AM PST by billorites
President Bush famously rewards loyalty and competent service. There is one more promotion logical for him to make in his second term: engineering the 2008 GOP presidential nomination for Dick Cheney.
Such a move is not, of course, within the president's plenary authority. Others will surely want the nomination. Republican-primary voters will have to be heard from. But as the 2004 election demonstrated to the surprise of many, Mr. Bush is something close to a beloved figure among Republicans nationally. That's true at the grassroots level, and it's true among the party's biggest donors. They all regard Mr. Bush as having persisted against huge adversity in a sober but bold fashion to the benefit not only of his personal political stature but also of the party. If Mr. Bush decides that he would like Mr. Cheney to succeed him, the momentum created would be huge and instantaneous.
The biggest obstacle to a Cheney candidacy is usually given as Mr. Cheney himself. I had a chance to put the question to him directly over the summer, and he convincingly stated, as he has on other occasions, that he was looking forward to 2004 as his last campaign, and that he believed an essential part of his effectiveness in offering counsel to Mr. Bush was the absence of further political ambition on his part.
That's plausible. If Mr. Cheney "retires" in January 2009, he will do so having compiled an extraordinary record of public service. His memoirs will be must reading. He will go down as possibly the most important and influential vice president in history. There will be competing biographies. His CV, come the final curtain, will hardly look incomplete. He may even emerge as a model in the selection of future vice presidents:
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
It's a gentleman's perogative to change his change.
And to even change his mind.
Cheney in '08. There is no alternative.
A mind is a terrible thing to lose...
Personally, I think he would make a fabulous president. But I think the perception that he is a walking heart attack waiting to happen, and that he has little of no chance of surviving in functional health for eight years, will be too big a negative to overcome.
I'm not sure he could overcome worries about his heart condition.
"A mind is a terrible thing to lose..."
You aren't Dan Quale, are you? :-)
Cheney is the only 'name' Pubbie I'd like to see in the race. Maybe Tancredo a second. None of the others seem more than professional politicians.
It's never too late for dance lessons.
Two other possibilities, as I doubt that the VP is going to change his mind...
a.) Senator John Cornyn of Texas
b.) General Tommy Franks (retired)
I think a ticket of Cornyn for President and former Virginia Governor (and Senator) George Allen would be dynamite.
Unfortunately, I don't think SecDef Rumsfeld could be convinced to run for President, although he would be AWESOME.
You are the only other person I have seen mention John Cornyn. I agree, I think he ought to be considered. Of course then there would be talk that the GOP was dominated by TX but so what. Cornyn seems well respected and he is veyr articulate.
Gen Franks would be a good choice also. If neither of these men want to run then I think we should go with a younger generation of leaders, most notably Sen George Allen and Govs Pawlenty or Sanford.
To my understanding, he has made a Shermanesque statement regarding any plans for 08...I take him at his word. McCain will be the nominee; better get used to it!
He's too old, anyway. He'd be 76 when he took office.
Hillary *is* going to run. Rice is the only viable alternative. Rice is a woman, black, really smart, acomplished, looks great and would whip Hillary like a yella yard dog. Any guy that runs against Hill is going to be eaten alive by the press. Rice is untouchable. No matter how the press tries to attack her, they come away looking like bullies.
McCain will NOT be the 08 nominee. AGE, health, and being a RINO will be the issues.
Unfortunately, I don't think SecDef Rumsfeld could be convinced to run for President, although he would be AWESOME.
I disagree!! Although I like the man, the MSM has given this guy such a bad reputation that it would be difficult for him to overcome. It would be far to risky for the Republican Party.
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