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.
I disagree. People will vote demographics; we've seen it happen. If the Dems do put Hillary up fot the top spot or any other woman, the Reps can not afford to look like the "Party of Old White Men". The "theme" will be "Let's Make History". It's worked before and it can work again (think Mosely-Braun and Obama). You may vote on values (your screen name intimates you're female), as will I (a black male), but there is a HUGE segment out there who vote on feelings, nothing more.
Race and gender may start out as factors but they dissolve soon after that and become secondary.
It hasn't work that way in the Black community for decades, though I seriously wish it would.
I don't want my kids to grow up in an America where abortion is still as easy as getting drive-thru fast food, or where they'll be discriminated against for "not being an underrepresented minority" or somesuch. The GOP heartland would just stay home in droves if Rice were nominated.
If the alternative is a Hillary or Barbara Boxer or Pelosi, they better not, because that is exactly what they will get. This last election was still too close for comfort IMHO. Don't rest on your laurels, yet; all of those who threatened to leave the US if GWB were elected haven't gone anywhere. They'll still be here in 2008. And even if there is a Repub Congress, we've seen how wimpy the Repubs can be. Especially on dealing with Mexico or other hot-button issues.
On the issue of abortion, I believe the majority strongly dislike abortion and want to see it restricted but not eliminated. Most people believe this is an intensly personal issue and not something the government or other people should be involved in. Overall, I think the Dems are now so far to the left, they will either split or implode. Then the Repubs are assured victory.
Everyone keeps talking about Hillary's stance on illegal immigration. What is it? I haven't heard. At this point, if she really is wanting to put a stop to it, she will have a LOT of people backing her. Something the Republicans had better acknowledge soon.>>
Yeah, if they don't all 29 of the Free Republic wingnuts on the issue will bolt to the democratic party. Big loss.
I cant think of any woman I would want in her place!
(Mega)ditto!!
Rumors, rumors !!
Where do they come up with this stuff?
My Roomate and I stated this scenario B4 the last election.
Hardly the schedule of a sick man.
Also here is picture taken at CPAC on Thursday 17th he looks pretty healthy and very enthusiastic as well not a man who is considering retiring shortly IMHO.
Also his concluding statement in the speech also shows his continued commitment and his intent to remain for the full 4 years.
""All of us know there is much yet to do, and you can be certain that President Bush and I are eager for the work ahead. On his behalf, I want to thank our many friends gathered here tonight. We are deeply grateful for your support, and for the high honor of serving the American people for four more years. Thank you very much. ""
I look forward to him continuing for 4 more years and thank you Mr Vice President you are an inspiration to us all, old, young, fit and not so fit, God Bless you may you remain in office until January 2009 and then go spend time with your grandchildren, your fishing, hunting and of course your lovely wife. God Bless the whole Cheney family.
A great picture of our VP. He looks great. Happy and smiling.
Compare that to a recent picture of the Hildabeast. She doesn't look nearly that good. Nor does she smile a lot. Mainly I just see the contempt emanating from behind those eyes for the American people who have rejected her and her kind.
I agree with you, mb, on all points, but if I, being of the other gender, had said it first, I would have had my head (among other body parts) handed to me on a silver platter by the PCer's. I applaud your candidness.....and I too have a lot of respect for Dr. Rice. I'm very glad she is an important part of Bush's cabinet.
Hmmmm, where have I heard this theory before? Oh yes, that's right: I've been suggesting this for about what -- three years now?
You and hobbes both.
I don't know that I like this strategery. The last sitting vice president to win the presidency before George H. W. Bush was Marin Van Buren and that was a long time ago.
I suspect she'll be the next VP, but not until January of 2009.
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