I would agree with your assessment 100% on the VP.
Yes. If Bush had picked a younger dynamic VP, we would have a viable candidate now. He did not do the party any favors in picking Cheney, much as I love him.
I don't think I've remembered to tell you:
I've had 6-7 freepmails in the last few days by people who are following this very closely and are closet Rudy fans. They don't want to take the grief the whining men are shoveling out and so they're playing it close to the vest right now, but they're rooting us on.