Political Debate: Should Bush drop Cheney

[wvrevy]

Originally posted by Lanshark
I'm not sure Galahad. I can't imagine Powell replacing him although that would be a boost to the ticket. McCain carries some baggage but I believe he would also be a boost to the ticket. Rudy, IMO, has less appeal then Cheney.

Well...Rudy has less appeal among people that really know his politics, but he's got an awful lot of good will stored up over the way he handled himself during 9/11, so that would be a scary ticket for me (as a democrat).

I don't think McCain wants it, to be honest....I could actually see Powell or even (and this would be interesting) Condi Rice stepping into it pretty seamlessly. Possibly Rice would even have an easier time than Powell.

I think the problem is that Cheney brings nothing to the table but the ultra-conservatives, and they're going to vote for Bush regardless.

And to the person saying that they "couldn't wait" for the debates because of how smart Cheney is, I don't think anyone questions that. But there's a difference in being smart and being a good public speaker. Oh, Cheney doesn't come off like a bumbling idiot the way Bush does, but he has a much more gruff approach that, when compared to Edwards who tends to be all sunshine and light...well, I just think Cheney will get flustered by him. JMO, and we'll see (hopefuly) in a few months.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Originally posted by Lanshark
I'm not sure Galahad. I can't imagine Powell replacing him although that would be a boost to the ticket. McCain carries some baggage but I believe he would also be a boost to the ticket. Rudy, IMO, has less appeal then Cheney.

If McCain ran as Bush's VP this *swing voter* might just swing back in the direction of Bush/McCain ticket. I also think that I'm not alone, I think many other voters might just do the same.

Some conservatives might not like McCain but it wouldn't deter them from voting for the ticket. I definitely think the move could seal a victory for Bush because it would bring in a lot of voters that otherwise might have voted for Kerry/Edwards.

 

[caitycaity]

i agree with the "health reasons" line of thought.

colin powell wouldn't take it even if it were offered (which it won't be) and i would really doubt that mccain would take it either. condi rice would be a good choice, but from what i've heard she is done with politics and is going back into the education arena if bush gets reelected. guiliani would be an interesting choice.

btw las3888 (or should i just lump you in with a whole other group of people and call you cons ) i do not think cheney is a smart choice for vp, but that has nothing to do with how smart i think he is. i think he is very smart. i just don't think politically he is a good running mate. obviously some republicans feel the same way.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

No I don't think Bush should drop Cheney nor do I think Cheney will drop out due to health reasons.



Bush '04

 

[faithinkarma]

Having thought about this all morning I have come to the following conclusions:

I think Powell would not take it. He did not want it in 2000 and has less reason to want it now. Although I can see the " for the good of the ocuntry " argument having some weight with him.

Rudy simply has too much baggage for this party. The very public affair while he was in office....no..that would have a really hard time flying.

McCain would never take it. He is distancing himself from the president. he asked Bush to stop running the anti Kerry ads that focused on McCain. he voted the "wrong" way on the cloture vote yesterday. I think McCain harbors a lot of resentment for the 2000 primariess where it was circulated he had fathered an illegitimate black child, that he was mentally unstable, etc....Can't say I blame him...just typing about it still makes me angry for what was done to him.


And the nummber one reason Bush will not pick anyone else but Cheney for VP.................because any VP that became a viable option for a presidential candidate in 2008 would impede the path for Jeb to run in 2008.

 

[caitycaity]

I think Powell would not take it. He did not want it in 2000 and has less reason to want it now. Although I can see the " for the good of the ocuntry " argument having some weight with him.

i think i read some time ago that his wife made him promise to never run for the presidency while she was living because she was afraid of what would happen to the first black president. for that reason, in addition to the fact that i don't think bush likes him very much, i don't think it will be him.

 

[Galahad]

well, I just think Cheney will get flustered by him

I think it's just the opposite. This is one definite plus for the GOP ticket, IMO. We'll have a 2004 version of "there you go again" and it will work wonderfully, IMO (JMO, though.... )

 

[faithinkarma]

Originally posted by Galahad
I think it's just the opposite. This is one definite plus for the GOP ticket, IMO. We'll have a 2004 version of "there you go again" and it will work wonderfully, IMO (JMO, though.... )

Truthfully, until I read your post, I thought this one was a no-brainer. The fact that you are of the completely opposite opinion has renewed my interest in this debate. Some days this is actually more fun than not

 

[peachgirl]

And the nummber one reason Bush will not pick anyone else but Cheney for VP.................because any VP that became a viable option for a presidential candidate in 2008 would impede the path for Jeb to run in 2008.

Bingo! We have a winner.

The only way I think this changes is if come September, Bush is floundering. I think for the time being they're going to keep the health excuse in their back pocket and pull it out only if and when it appears as though Bush may lose.

At that point he won't care if he looks disloyal (which, of course, he would be) or if he breaks his word, remember he's said without question that Cheney stays on the ticket no matter what.

My bet says he keeps Cheney on the ticket until it looks like keeping him will do more damage than dumping him.

Personally, I hope he stays, he's one of the best negatives the President has. Edwards will run circles around him in a debate.

 

[wvrevy]

Originally posted by Galahad
I think it's just the opposite. This is one definite plus for the GOP ticket, IMO. We'll have a 2004 version of "there you go again" and it will work wonderfully, IMO (JMO, though.... )

Yes, because smooth-talking trial lawyers that have litigated multi-million dollar lawsuits often get flustered by grumbling CEO types...Yeah, I can certainly see where you'd get that

 

[Lanshark]

I too do not see Cheney getting flustered by Edwards. Cheney is not charismatic but his intellect makes up for it, IMO. I think you'll get a lot of concise straight forward facts from Cheney and a lot of good sounding sound bites from Edwards.

It should be interesting...

 

[rcyannacci]

Originally posted by faithinkarma

And the nummber one reason Bush will not pick anyone else but Cheney for VP.................because any VP that became a viable option for a presidential candidate in 2008 would impede the path for Jeb to run in 2008.

How is it possible that I've never considered this scenario! I'll be having nightmares for weeks!

There is no politician out there that scares me more than Cheney, and it's because he's so smart. While the VP position has historically been less than influential, I think we've seen how this has changed within the last 4 years. But, it's hard to say if he's an asset in the voting booth. I think a lot of people would have a hard time imagining a Bush presidency without Cheney- I'm not saying he's the "puppet-master," but to say he hasn't has a great deal of influence doesn't read as true either.

 

[faithinkarma]

How is it possible that I've never considered this scenario! I'll be having nightmares for weeks!

rest easy my friend....just remember....Kerry......Edwards.....Obama !!!!!!

 

[peachgirl]

I think Cheney is as sharp as a tack

I have no doubts that Cheney is extemely smart and he knows his stuff. However, he's also a sour, sarcastic, smartass who has a temper.

That's not a good combination for debating, especially up against someone as positive and charming as Edwards.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by faithinkarma
rest easy my friend....just remember....Kerry......Edwards.....Obama !!!!!!

Wow! I never considered the chain after Edwards. What a great selection Faithinkarma!

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by peachgirl
I have no doubts that Cheney is extemely smart and he knows his stuff. However, he's also a sour, sarcastic, smartass who has a temper.

That's not a good combination for debating, especially up against someone as positive and charming as Edwards.

I agree Peachgirl.

I can easily see cheney getting all red-faced, visibly shaking, and launching more F-bombs on national television.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
I agree Peachgirl.

I can easily see cheney getting all red-faced, visibly shaking, and launching more F-bombs on national television.

Now that would be funny.

 

[shortbun]

Let's stop talking about it. I'm afraid it will happen.
Besides, Cheney is the brains behind the team- I doubt
W will be allowed to drop him. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Cheney has made great decisions obviously but it was him they
kept under wraps for weeks after 9/11 and after all, who do
you usually protect but the bigshot?

Also, I'd like to see a gloves off election for once. All this
posturing annoys me. Let's see the real guys we're voting
for...not some marketing teams presentation of someone they
think is electable. To me, that's what made Carter and Clinton
so darn good at what they did. They were the real deal, big
flaws and all.

 

[Galahad]

However, he's also a sour, sarcastic, smartass who has a temper.

I haven't seen any other reports of a temper other than the Leihe (sp?) thing. Do you have any other reports of it laying around? I'll agree about the sarcastic smartass. Lots of politicians are sarcastic smartasses.

Let's stop talking about it. I'm afraid it will happen.
Besides, Cheney is the brains behind the team- I doubt
W will be allowed to drop him. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Cheney has made great decisions obviously but it was him they
kept under wraps for weeks after 9/11 and after all, who do
you usually protect but the bigshot?

Wow, that's incredible to me. I'm sure people on both sides of the aisle are amazed at what some on the other side actually believe. This is one of those that amaze me.

 

[WeirdEyes]

Well, if Bush does drop Cheney OR he steps down for "health reasons," I would LOVE to see Condi Rice as his running mate!