Posted on 03/25/2005 10:26:44 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
Vice President Dick Cheney, in public and private, is being urged by a small but growing number of conservatives to reconsider his refusal to run for president in 2008. So far, the vice president is unmoved by the fledgling Cheney-for-president boomlet.
"I'm not running for president in '08," the vice president told columnist and TV host Lawrence Kudlow last week. "Four years from now, I don't plan to be here."
Yet Mr. Kudlow, along with fellow conservatives Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard and Tod Lindberg of Policy Review, have written columns this month pining for a reversal by the vice president. They say his foreign-policy credentials make him the most qualified heir to Mr. Bush's legacy of Middle East democratization.
"He's the logical successor," Mr. Barnes said. "He has the experience at the highest levels of government that no one else can match. And he is the embodiment, along with President Bush himself, of the achievements of the Bush administration."
Former Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming, Mr. Cheney's home state, scoffed at such talk. "It just ain't gonna happen," the Republican said. "And I don't usually say things with that clarity, but I know him well, and I love the guy."
What about other names being discussed for the Republican nomination in 2008? The list includes Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Bill Frist of Tennessee, and George Allen of Virginia; Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
"It's a field of strong individuals, each with a particular weakness," Mr. Barnes said. "Every one of them seems to be weak in one area or another. I don't think Cheney is."
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Would be better for Chaney and Condi to swop jobs in '06
Please change your mind. Then I won't have to bother to vote.
I love this VP to pieces, and his is the most active and perhaps most intelligent ever. He's a great man.
My worries are his health, and lack of appeal to the common voter.
He doesn't posses the Bush likability.
Two operations while VP.
Not a great choice, but I would be the first to say he is a great person.
God Bless him and the President.
I think he would be awesome as President. I think he could beat all contenders including the she who's name we need not mention.
I always thought Cheney would have been a better Prez than W. Regardless, his health will preclude this option... unfortunately.
Amen to that, brother!
I'd love to see Cheney as President, but his age and heart condition are not factors supporting him.
Whoever runs in '08 needs to be a true, strong conservative. That rules out Jeb Bush!
Lord, I miss The Great Ronald Reagan!
Imagine the debates between Cheney and Hill. He'd wipe the floor with her. The MSM would call him a meanie and declare her the winner.
I agree. Cheney is the best of the field, but he deserves a long, happy retirement.
And just how do you know who the GOP will run?
The definitely not electable list in 2008 includes Cheney, Jeb Bush and Bill Frist.
The electable but not likely to be nominated list is headed by Rudy Guliani. However, those crying for Guliani to take Hillary out in 2006 are barking up the wrong tree. For one thing, if Rudy runs, the witch can simply announce she's not running in order to concentrate on 2008. If Rudy runs and wins, there will be backlash for only serving two years and massive pressure to resign even if he is number two on the ticket. Remember, Republicans are always held to a higher standard than Democrats.
The nominatable and electable list is rather thin-- governors from marginal Bush or Kerry states. Bill Owens of Colorado might be good, but his prospects were badly damaged by Democrat gains in the state in 2004. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota has virtually no national name recognition. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts isn't particularly popular among conservatives. This is a pretty thin list to take on the Hildebeast unless one of them gets Condi Rice to reconsider and join the ticket.
I think they'll have to pick a pro-life candidate. So much of the vote is on that issue.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Republicans choose someone out of surprise in 2008.. which a lot of people could rise to national prominence in the next few years. The field isn't looking huge for someone that has all hte Republican party's current objectives. Outlined in their platform for 2004.
Cheney, Bill Frist and Jeb Bush are about hte only 3 I can think of which are nationally known. However Cheney may have the medical problems, Jeb is the dynasty problem.. Which leaves Bill Frist, but he has got to show his leadership first.
Which is why I am guessing some of these people close to the decision makers in the party, are pushing the idea of a Cheney run.
You are right the nominee will be pro-life and will be a surprise.Mike Pence is getting so much done on a daily basis for conservatism that it will not be long before his name Id is higher than that of Pawlenty(if not already)We must have the total package to unite the party,Pence is it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54940-2005Mar21.html?referrer=emailarticle
http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/031705/gop.html
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