Dick Cheney and the presidency

[Banquo's Ghost]

I read that the Vice-President is unwell (http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2332073.ece) and being treated for deep-vein thrombosis. Whilst I loathe the man's politics, I wish him well and a speedy recovery.

The story emboldened me to ask a question of those who may know - or have an opinion.

Why is it that (as far as a cross-ponder knows) Mr Cheney has never been mentioned as a possible successor to President Bush? I can't recall him ever being in the frame, whereas it seems traditional that vice-presidents are usually considered contenders - if not front-runners - for the nomination.

I know that he has had serious health problems for some time - yet surely if that was a factor, it would have disqualified him from the vice-presidency too, as that office is, as they say, a mere heartbeat away from the Oval Office itself. If he's robust enough as a back-up, surely he is able to consider the top job?

Even if his public persona made him less than electable, one would think he would still be spoken of until he ruled himself out.

I have heard people speak of Dr Rice, for example, as a possibility until the closeness to the Iraq policy seems to have curtailed her chances. General Powell was often spoken of in this context. But never the Vice-President.

I be fascinated to learn why. (Or alternatively, to learn that I haven't been paying attention :beam: ).

[ShadeHonestus]

From what I've heard around the camp fire for the past 10 years...

Cheney as VP was never thought of as a future political move for the individual. He was made VP to make the office of the VP an actual functioning administrative and political asset. I forget the previous VP with a work record equal to that of Cheney's while in office, although I've heard it many times lol.

The run of the mill VP who is gearing for a presidential bid is often that which you find in the footnotes of a presidency.


Oh BTW, I hope you realize you just opened a thread for all the leftist whackos and neo-anarcho libertines to vent all their conspiracy theories for the last 8 years. Oh yeah, also expect "Halliburton", "Oil", "Saudi Royal Family", "American Ruling Class", and other political cliche's to be mentioned at least 400 times in the posts to follow.


[edit] I do also hope Cheney gets better and his family is doing well. Aside from the humanity of that statement, if Cheney were removed from the picture you know who gets closer in line to the presidency....*gasp*

[Ronin]

Altough I despise the man politically I also hope he get´s better.

I´m not too worried about his health tough...someone like like cheney would probably only go down with a silver bullet or something.

[Devastatin Dave]

Cheney has said, even when he was nominated by Bush, that he had no desire to ever run for President and he has stuck to his word. That's more than we can say about the Hildabeast from New York (or was it Arkansas, or was it Illinios, or was it Selma Alalbama, love that ghetto accent BTW Mrs Hil"Bill"ary!!!). Anyway, speaking of Haliburtan, Mr Soros has purchased over 60 million worth in stock from the company. Much like Al Gore saving the planet by burning more fossil fuel in one trip to whatever award he's accepting from whatever easily deceaved leftist group than the average family burning in a year, hypocricy is never in short supply from the left side of the political spectrum. Cheney's a great man and I wish him the best. May the Dark Side of the Force be with him.:beam:

[drone]

IIRC, back during the 2000 election, Cheney had said that he would only serve one term as VP. I'm pretty sure he knows he doesn't have a chance to be The Man, I'm not sure he wants it either. Definitely been one of the most active VPs in a while.

[edit] I do also hope Cheney gets better and his family is doing well. Aside from the humanity of that statement, if Cheney were removed from the picture you know who gets closer in line to the presidency....*gasp*
Who might that be? Bush would select a replacement, and that would be that. Pelosi would only get in both Bush and the VP go down together (or within a short time frame). A power-grab might be possible, if she pushes for impeachment if she sees Cheney's imminent exit, but it would be very transparent.

[Azi Tohak]

I think it is beacause instead of being a happy non-entity like Bush Sr. as VP, or the useless stick-figure like Gore, Cheney isn't afraid of doing what he thinks is best, and damned the torpedos. He seems like a rather grumpy guy and knows he doesn't stand a chance of being elected.

But what I also think is interesting is that I haven't heard much about ANY Republican candidates for the presidency, aside from a little here and there about McClain. I only ever see things about the Beast or the Newbie.

Azi

[Randarkmaan]

What about that Guiliani fellow, he's republican isn't he? I don't think he's made an announcement, but many think he will run for president.

[The_Mark]

I see an order for another Bob the Angry Flower cartoon here.
http://www.angryflower.com/cheney.gif

Oh, and here's the prologue to the above: http://www.angryflower.com/smarti.gif

[Lemur]

Why is it that (as far as a cross-ponder knows) Mr Cheney has never been mentioned as a possible successor to President Bush?
Well, if anything happens to George W. Bush in the next two years, Cheney would be next in line for the Presidency. I know that's not what you mean, but there it is.

One of the many reasons Cheney would not run for the presidency is the fact that he's the least popular person in the current administration. He's actually a more polarizing figure than Bush or Hillary Clinton, and that's stiff competition.

[Goofball]

Why is it that (as far as a cross-ponder knows) Mr Cheney has never been mentioned as a possible successor to President Bush? I can't recall him ever being in the frame, whereas it seems traditional that vice-presidents are usually considered contenders - if not front-runners - for the nomination.

Because the Republicans know that the surest way to ensure a Democrat President would be to let them run against Cheney.

[ShadeHonestus]

Who might that be? Bush would select a replacement, and that would be that. Pelosi would only get in both Bush and the VP go down together (or within a short time frame). A power-grab might be possible, if she pushes for impeachment if she sees Cheney's imminent exit, but it would be very transparent.


The point was, one less stone to throw...hence closer. :2thumbsup:

[Fisherking]

There is something to the polarizing effect of Cheney as they say and he is the best target the left has had since they lost Gingrich.

btw Azi, I love that quote of Twains….LOL

"If you don't want to work, become a reporter. That awful power, the public opinion of the nation, was created by a horde of self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditch digging and shoemaking and fetched up journalism on their way to the poorhouse."

I have to say that does have a ring of truth to it…

[Grey_Fox]

Blah blah blah Halliburton blah blah blah oil blah blah blah Saudi royal family blah blah blah American ruling class blah blah.

That should just about cover everything.

[Spetulhu]

Blah blah blah Halliburton blah blah blah oil blah blah blah Saudi royal family blah blah blah American ruling class blah blah.

That should just about cover everything.

You forgot Iraq, reconstruction and incompetence. :dizzy2:

[Adrian II]

Blah blah blah Halliburton blah blah blah oil blah blah blah Saudi royal family blah blah blah American ruling class blah blah.Al Gore blah Hillary Clinton hypocrisy blah blah Barbra Streisand blah blah family values blah blah blah gun control blah blah abortion blah blah.

You all may vote now.

[KukriKhan]

New York Times headline: "BLAH WINS IN LANDSLIDE" Major Parties Gobsmacked

[ShadeHonestus]

New York Times headline: "BLAH WINS IN LANDSLIDE" Major Parties Gobsmacked


Damn, I voted for Bleh.

[Adrian II]

New York Times headline: "BLAH WINS IN LANDSLIDE" Major Parties Gobsmackedhttps://img108.imageshack.us/img108/2654/schwitzlw6.gif (https://imageshack.us) https://img260.imageshack.us/img260/4154/blablawf5.gif (https://imageshack.us) :coffeenews:

[KukriKhan]

To answer BqG's basic question: I think it's the Bushies' variation on Nixon's "Madman in the White House" gambit, used to some good effect by Kissinger in the VN Peace Talks. Cheney gets to be the loose cannon, to be feared, while GW gets to be the one to be both physically protected and taken seriously.

The jury's out on its overall effectiveness. And it must be said that, tho' probably useful in Paris in the 70's, it sure didn't make the VN war turn out very well, or protect Tricky Dick from domestic outrage.

Besides, he (Cheney) could always change his mind if the repub's can't find a guy to compete with whoever the dems put forward. He'd brush the "flip-flop" assertions off his shoulder like so much dandruff.

[Fisherking]

https://img108.imageshack.us/img108/2654/schwitzlw6.gif (https://imageshack.us) https://img260.imageshack.us/img260/4154/blablawf5.gif (https://imageshack.us) :coffeenews:
Weren't you supposed to be reading your new material? What happened to the Admiral?


edet: And yes I meant to post that before…thanks for the reminder. Ole Dick is playing the good XO to the commander and saying all the mean things. Keeping the troops in order and making the CO look like the good guy.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Thank you all - at least for the serious replies. :beam:

I'm still not sure that I understand his motives though. He's clearly not entirely unelectable having secured several terms in the House. He's a politician, and there aren't many politicians who don't desire to shoot at the big one.

DD and drone noted that he promised not to run for president right back in 2000 - I would assume that at that time, the Bush campaign believed that if they won, they would make a really successful presidency. Cheney clearly has strong ideas as to what direction the country should take - so at that time, he might well have believed that he would be in a position to build on the legacy.

So I still wonder what would make a politician rise so high - but rule himself out of the last step?

I'm not fishing for conspiracy theories - just intrigued by the man who has clearly redefined the vice-presidency. Perhaps ShadeHonestus has the right of it - which is a fascinating decision in itself.

:bow:

[Adrian II]

Weren't you supposed to be reading your new material?Something came up, then something else came up... dang...
What happened to the Admiral?Blown to smithereens by an anonymous French gunner on April 29, 1676.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

What about that Guiliani fellow, he's republican isn't he?

The VERY question many Republicans are asking these days.

[Devastatin Dave]

The VERY question many Republicans are asking these days.
:laugh4:

[PanzerJaeger]

I read that the Vice-President is unwell (http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2332073.ece) and being treated for deep-vein thrombosis. Whilst I loathe the man's politics, I wish him well and a speedy recovery.


This is why I keep coming back, welcome or unwelcome. :laugh4:

Such sentiments are mature, especially coming from such a vehement opponent to his world view.

[rory_20_uk]

Why are we wishing this man health? There are far more ill people all over the world. At least one whilst I typed this sentence.
:focus:

Apparently you've not got the situation that the UK has. Prescott is there to fill the office. He's the worst of working class attitudes: boorish, grasping and quick to resort to violence. He cheers up the traditional Labourites and most importantly is no political threat to anyone except maybe himself.

Chaney is a strong VP with a weak President. In many ways an ideal situation to be in. He can take all the credit and Bush isn't really up to deflecting much blame. He commits so many faux pas (screwups to use his own likely level of language) what's one more?

~:smoking: