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It seems every so often, usually when Bush's approval ratings go down, that rumors start to fly that Cheney will be replaced on the 2004 ticket. The latest rumor that I recently saw is that Guiliani is the man to muscle Cheney out of the "Number Two" spot. To me, the very idea that Cheney would let this happen is ludicrous.
When GWB selected Cheney as his VP in 2000, I believe it was for the same reason his father selected Quayle in 1988, except for a radically different purpose. Both father and son knew that with the running mates they selected, no one would ever try to assassinate them! But while GHWB was safe because Quayle barely possessed enough knowledge to tie his shoes, GWB faced the opposite problem in that HE was the mentally challenged part of the ticket. Cheney solved the problem by being a little too intelligent. Combining his penchant for secrecy with his radical right policies, Cheney keeps Bush safe at night because nobody wants to see Dr. Strangelove become President. If an act of God or madness removed Bush from office, this is what I imagine would happen: Cheney blames Al Qaeda, declares martial law, suspends elections, declares war on Iran and Syria, starts up the draft again, appoints only PNAC members to Cabinet levels in his administration. The worst nightmare, yes, but not beyond the realm of possibility.
But I digress, slightly. Only Cheney's heart can stop Cheney from being Vice President. He simply has too much power in the White House and too much control of policies that are beyond Dubya's ability to handle without him. My belief is that Cheney is VP in name only; he is the personification of the tail wagging the dog.
But I'm curious about those of you who believe Cheney is on the way out. Do I give Cheney too much credit or Bush too little? Do you really believe the Plame Incident will bring Cheney to justice? Is there a power in America greater than Cheney conspiring to take him down? Or is Cheney as sacred a cow as the deserter is?
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