Ocotillo
11-13-2006, 04:26 PM
Going into election day 2006 G.W. Bush was insisting that Rummy and Cheney were secure for the remainder of his term. This despite calls from both Democrats and Republicans for Rumsfeld's head. Rummy had his supporters like John Boehner the Majority Leader of the House for the GOP but there were Republican detractors. What a difference 24 hours makes!
The ink was hardly dry on the nation's newspapers screaming about the Dems tsunami when the President made news himself by kicking Rummy to the curb. Bush explained this had been in the works and he had intentionally misled reporters pre-election because he did not want to send the troops in Iraq the wrong signal that the change was politically motivated. Behind the scenes, Cheney had pushed to keep his old mentor Rumsfeld. This time Cheney lost.
Robert Gates was named as Bush's nominee to replace Rummy. Gates has an impressive resume having been CIA Director and National Security Advisor to the 41. Besides being president of Texas A&M University, Gates was on the Baker/Hamilton commission studying options for Iraq. All of a sudden the president who told Bob Woodward he answered to a higher father was neck deep in men from Poppy's administration. Rummy was the first casualty of 41's teams attempts to salvage 43's legacy. Could Cheney be far behind?
Cheney has seen his power and influence wane in recent months. The younger Bush is most comfortable with his bevy of female advisors (Condi, Laura, Harriet Miers and Karen Hughes) and with the going getting tough (31% approval rating) Bush is hunkering down with the gals and Poppy has his team coming in to bail Junior out one last time. This leaves Cheney out in the cold and as important as that "bucket of spit" that former Vice President John Nance Garner used to describe the vice presidency.
The question is what will undo Cheney? Will it be the guys from 41's administration that draw the knives or will Cheney himself leave disgusted with the role he is relegated to for the final two years of the Bush years.
I believe Cheney will resign sometime in 2007 citing health reasons. He has fallen asleep in public and his heart problems are well known. I also think the decision will be made for him. George H.W. Bush's team will hand select Cheney's replacement annointing the Republican nominee for 2008. Who will it be?
John McCain: has been the good soldier since his primary loss in 2000 to the younger Bush. McCain is the presumed front runner for the GOP nomination in 2008 but is not considered a shoo in due to his conflicts with some of the more extreme right wing of the party. McCain would probably be the favorite to replace Cheney because Bush the elder's team like his conservative economic standing, his military background and his stature as maverick.
Jeb Bush: this would be too brash even for the Bush's.
Chuck Hagel: is another anethma to the base of the party because of his criticism of 43's Iraq policy. The president vetoes this selection out of spite to Hagel's long standing criticism of his Iraq policy.
Condi Rice: has a shot due to Bush himself wanting to make a mark in history by selecting the first female (and African American VP). This one might fly but then they have to find a new Secretary of State.
Rudy Guliani: will be speculated about. Not a prayer.
Katherine Harris: I couldn't resist adding a little levity to the post.
I think Bush 41 wants to pick the next nominee and wants to give McCain every advantage he can and he replaces Cheney.
The ink was hardly dry on the nation's newspapers screaming about the Dems tsunami when the President made news himself by kicking Rummy to the curb. Bush explained this had been in the works and he had intentionally misled reporters pre-election because he did not want to send the troops in Iraq the wrong signal that the change was politically motivated. Behind the scenes, Cheney had pushed to keep his old mentor Rumsfeld. This time Cheney lost.
Robert Gates was named as Bush's nominee to replace Rummy. Gates has an impressive resume having been CIA Director and National Security Advisor to the 41. Besides being president of Texas A&M University, Gates was on the Baker/Hamilton commission studying options for Iraq. All of a sudden the president who told Bob Woodward he answered to a higher father was neck deep in men from Poppy's administration. Rummy was the first casualty of 41's teams attempts to salvage 43's legacy. Could Cheney be far behind?
Cheney has seen his power and influence wane in recent months. The younger Bush is most comfortable with his bevy of female advisors (Condi, Laura, Harriet Miers and Karen Hughes) and with the going getting tough (31% approval rating) Bush is hunkering down with the gals and Poppy has his team coming in to bail Junior out one last time. This leaves Cheney out in the cold and as important as that "bucket of spit" that former Vice President John Nance Garner used to describe the vice presidency.
The question is what will undo Cheney? Will it be the guys from 41's administration that draw the knives or will Cheney himself leave disgusted with the role he is relegated to for the final two years of the Bush years.
I believe Cheney will resign sometime in 2007 citing health reasons. He has fallen asleep in public and his heart problems are well known. I also think the decision will be made for him. George H.W. Bush's team will hand select Cheney's replacement annointing the Republican nominee for 2008. Who will it be?
John McCain: has been the good soldier since his primary loss in 2000 to the younger Bush. McCain is the presumed front runner for the GOP nomination in 2008 but is not considered a shoo in due to his conflicts with some of the more extreme right wing of the party. McCain would probably be the favorite to replace Cheney because Bush the elder's team like his conservative economic standing, his military background and his stature as maverick.
Jeb Bush: this would be too brash even for the Bush's.
Chuck Hagel: is another anethma to the base of the party because of his criticism of 43's Iraq policy. The president vetoes this selection out of spite to Hagel's long standing criticism of his Iraq policy.
Condi Rice: has a shot due to Bush himself wanting to make a mark in history by selecting the first female (and African American VP). This one might fly but then they have to find a new Secretary of State.
Rudy Guliani: will be speculated about. Not a prayer.
Katherine Harris: I couldn't resist adding a little levity to the post.
I think Bush 41 wants to pick the next nominee and wants to give McCain every advantage he can and he replaces Cheney.