MSNBC: CHENEY OFF TICKET. GULIANI ON

[k_blagburn]

The MSNBC show "Countdown with Keith Oberman" just reported that the bush admin is looking at dumping Cheney for Guliani. I looked at the website but they do not have todays transcripts posted yet.
This is shocking if true.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Just a rumor at this point...

As much as I wish it to be true, it's not. At least not yet...

[SadEagle]

4. Why do you wish it to be true?

[Cooley Hurd]

12. Just to see Cheney out of gov't...

Get him far away from Washington as possible...

[SadEagle]

20. What makes you think he wouldn't keep being the boss?

eom

[KissMyAsscroft]

2. Wont Fly...

Dems can spin in as weakness, and changing course in the middle of an election.

Call it a stunt, over and over and over...

[ClintonTyree]

3. That would be a wise move.............

for the unelected fraud, but Guliani brings a bit of baggage with him as well as his strong 9/11 performance. This wouldn't surprise me, what with Cheney's Halliburton problems, but I imagine it will be for "health reasons".
They'll still lose come November.

[lovedems]

11. Didn't Guliani have alot of problems that are "exploitable" prior to 9-11?

Wasn't he going out of office in shame?

Somebody from New York jog my memory.

[holeinboatoutatsea]

42. Few care about the vp except for his "reputation"

the media will not show exhibit a or exhibit b. They will show only flags and loving adoring fans.

rep - it ain't what you are, it's what people believe you might be.

[JoFerret]

52. ...like bullying out of

control freak with a mouth to match. Not to mention the fact that he used to live with two gay men before marrying his second wife after announcing he was getting a divorce not to his wife but a television audience. But of course - it is his policies and attitudes thatwere quite disastrous. He is not a VP kind of guy nor inclined to keep quiet so Junior's handlers would have to apply the heavy fist to keep him in line.

[Piginzen]

13. New york, New York

If Cheney leaves (I agree...his health is fine), and Mayor Rudi runs then it would give the GOP New York State. That's a lot of electoral votes. Couple that with the South, and Bush would be standing tall. Add corrupted voting machines to swing states, another Florida fiasco, and we're done, boys.

Edwards it starting to rise in my book.

[Philosophy]

24. New Yorkers aren't that dumb

They would know that Rove wouldn't let Rudy pull the strings like Cheney did. Rudy not a neocon and he has a conscience. If he was the VP they would have to fire him soon after the election like they did O'Neill, if that is even legal.

[aquart]

36. Excuse me? Why would it give Bush NY?

We have NEVER voted for a Bush.

And Giuliani has been skeevy enough with the funds since 9/11 to dull that halo a bit.

Also, the very disillusioned rw base is not likely to get excited by the man who wanted to bring his mistress into Gracie Mansion while his wife and children were living there.

Rudy has had multiple divorces and makes Bill Clinton look like a monk. So much for the defense of marriage.

Also, the comparison between George and Rudy would be scary. Rudy is a 9/11 survivor. Standing next to George can only ruin Rudy's reputation for courage while reminding us over and over that George has absolutely none.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

51. Ummm, Rudy could not even pull it out to run against Hillary

I don't buy the health thing for one minute, he was afraid when he saw numbers... besides the NY GOP can't be too crazy about him after he stuck them with Lazio to run against her.

[ithacan]

56. bush will NOT get NY regardless of who he picks as vp

New Yorkers know that Bush is screwing our state.

We know that Bush screwed the city after 9/11 by forcing EPA to claim air quality was safe when it wasn't. By cutting the money to NY after 9/11. Rudy cannot make up for that. And Rudy himself is a very polarizing figure. Plus I can't see the Religious RIght, which controls the GOP, allowing someone like Rudy to have such a prominent place on the ticket...

[cprise]

5. Bye-bye anti-gay amendment

.

[burrowowl]

6. Is Guiliani any better?

And he might give Bu$h a boost, given his 9/11 status.
Of course if Cheney goes to jail, who knows.

[JoFerret]

Better

than Cheney but with the BusbCo in charge doesn't matter. THE BFEE will continue down its path with or without. This is flower arranging. Probably untrue. probably leaked by the WH to take the focus off the dems.

[jenk]

7. Cheney is too valuable to them, he would stay on in some capacity

special advisor or something

[xray s]

8. I'd bet a chocolate frosted donut Cheney is off the ticket

If Rove thinks that is what it takes to get * reelected it will be done

[bluestateguy]

9. I'm not buying it

Giuliani is going to accept being 2nd in command of anything? No way. Also, the religious right will not be pleased with that choice. He has a record of supporting abortion rights and gay rights. They will not accept such an individual as Vice President. Also, the reason Bush picked Cheney in 2000 was because he was not looking to move up, and he needed a staunch loyalist who would not be looking ahead to the top job. That is often why there is tension between presidents and their vice presidents. Giuliani would be looking to move up if he were given the vice presidency. He won't take that job just to sit in an "undisclosed location" for 4 years while he could be governor of New York.

on edit: he also supports gun control and opposed the Clinton impeachment. Not happening.

[Piginzen]

16. Who you talking about?

Republicans hid their 'morals' when Arnold ran in California. They religious right is rabid but not stupid. They'll make a deal with the Devil to win in November

[Leilani]

33. I Agree

The right wing would go nuts. Guiliani might as well be a Dem as far as the wing nuts are concerned. He's pro choice, pro gay, pro immigration, etc.

Also Guiliani would run rings around frat boy, & that cannot be allowed. And Guiliani will not hide in a cave for 4 yrs.

[JI7]

10. giuliani is prochoice, pro gay rights

can't see how the right wing loons would accept this. and you should change the wording of the subject. it makes it seem like it's confirmed when it's more a rumor so far or rather they are just considering it.

[Hamlette]

14. how do they spin "for health reasons"

while cheney is off visiting in Europe?

If they wanted to get rid of Cheney it seems they would keep him under wraps now, like they have for the last 3 years.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

15. They're also reporting that Rudy is denying this...

...saying that he is out stumping for the Bush-Cheney ticket.

Just saw the replay (9 PM Pacific) a few minutes ago. It's a teaser that delivers a rumor and nothing more.

No reason to start believing anything connected with C. Diddy (short for "Chimp") now, BUT...Evil Dick hasn't "officially" left the building yet. We may all wake up tomorrow and find out that this is EXACTLY what they have in mind.

[Bozita]

17. but, ... but, isn't he an Adulterer?...

... with a capital A?

[mhr]

18. Mike Malloy Has Speculated On This For Several Months Now!

Rudy is seen as salvation for the GOP because of 9/11 afterglow.

[lovedems]

23. So it's just more of the same politicizing 9-11.

Good one chimp. The victims families will sleep well tonight knowing that you are trying to salvage your presidency by returning to the "glory days" after 9-11. <sarcasm>

[Dover]

19. If true, I hope they still keep the heat on Cheney's criminal activities

and lock that sucker up! And Bush can clean his cell....just like old times.

[Fridays Child]

25. Babyb*sh would isue a pre-trial pardon, just as Poppyb*sh...

...did for Weinberger.

[Purveyor]

21. Will there be a Bush/Giuliani ticket in '04?

A well-placed source says that the president will “most likely” drop Dick Cheney from his re-election ticket and his first choice for a replacement is former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

“The issue of Cheney’s health will probably be given as the reason,” says the insider. “There’s a short list of possible replacements, and Rudy is at the top of the list.”

The source adds that the selection of the former New York mayor may be overridden by Bush advisors from the far right. “Giuliani has been pro-choice, pro-gay rights, and is pretty liberal on some other social issues, but the thinking is that he might broaden Bush’s appeal.”

<snip>

Bush’s rep didn’t return calls, and a spokeswoman for Giuliani said, “Rudy Giuliani has been out in Iowa and New Hampshire talking about the incredible accomplishments of Vice President Dick Cheney with George Bush and working very hard to get them both re-elected.”

MSNBC Source

[buckeye1]

22. B.S.

Cheney is the president. Bush is just the front they can sell. The O'Neil book tells it all. Just wishful thinking,you understand. Rudi would displease the base with his wicked ways. Cheney is the problem that can't be solved.
Please realize that there are several waring factions in the Bush Ad. It is a huge mess. Cheney would just as soon destroy Bush as be removed , after all if Bush is removed he is prez.

[grasswire]

28. the reason for this...

...must be to keep Rudy from mounting a primary challenge against Bush. I would consider that the more likely scenario. Surely there are Republicans weighing a run.

[aquart]

37. Now that makes sense.

There are too many Republicans looking for a leader and Rudy has already proven he's good in a crisis.

And he reduced taxes. (By ignoring the infrastructure and plunging us into debt.)

[Dogmudgeon]

26. Try this: Something to get the spotlight off Kerry and the Dems

Giuliani would seem to be a candidate with a boatload of problems. Not only did he support reproductive and gay rights, but he's a notorious womanizer who's on his third trophy wife.

Yeah, the guy has his good points. Several, in fact. But he also has a long and storied history of sleaze, and that's not going to make a pretty impression.

I think the White House has taken this opportunity -- when the spotlight is on the Democratic party, and its two bona fide war heroes, John Kerry and Wes Clark, as well as the highly qualified Howard Dean and John Edwards -- to let us know it's still running things. There are four strong candidates, and Bush has been running for election in 2004 since 2000.

Rudy's just doing his part. But I doubt he'll be the VP. Maybe yes, but probably no.

--bkl
Just my 20 millibucks.

[tritsofme]

27. This would NEVER fly with the fundies,

No matter what he did after 9-11.

Rudy came out against the PBA ban.

[0rganism]

29. Now if they'd dumped *bush* for Giuliani, it would be interesting

bush is the real dead weight on the ticket. Cheney may be an evil snarling cyborg, but he's (unfortunately) not stupid, and Giuliani has some credibility as a slightly totalitarian moderate with actual leadership abilities.

[lostnfound]

40. True enough. Gosh, they must envy us Dems our bench strength.

They are stuck with Dumbo and Uncle Lurch, or else changing the game plan 10 months before election and looking like failures ...well, confessed failures.

[annagull]

30. Cheney is a liability to them, I bet he's gone

He is too synonymous with Halliburton, and Halliburton has entered the mainstream dialog (even Letterman does Halliburton jokes). Since they are basing their entire campaign on 9-11 fear mongering, this would be their only card to play.

[Norquist Nemesis]

32. Not just Halliburton

I still think Cheney has to be at the heart of the leak in the Plame issue. Him and Scooter. If Fitzgerald is getting close, an ex-VP tried for high treason doesn't do as much damage as a sitting VP.

[Yavin4]

31. What About Jeb?

If Guiliani is on the ticket, Jeb will have stiff competition for president in 2008.

[aquart]

38. Giuliani is a cancer survivor.

They could make him dead.

[Leilani]

34. I Could See Cheney Getting Dumped

but not Guiliani to replace him.

Would have to be someone the right wing nuts approve, & someone who will NOT steal the spotlight from frat boy.

[PartyPooper]

35. Giuliani would make a great trophy at the Republican National Convention

in NYC.

My bet is that Rudy is such a cheap sell-out to the repugs that he would accept!

:puke:

edited for spelling. <;-)>

[terrisel]

39. There are some great photos of Guiliani in Drag n/t

[Emillereid]

41. Very predictable.

Cheney is becoming a drag on the ticket, where Guiliani would shore up the 911 fear/anxiety/security vote. I'm sure that Cheney will still be behind the scenes during a second Bush term. Also dropping a bomb like this today takes the wind out of the democratic sails.

[JCMach1]

43. No way, they would LOSE the base because of this

Not going to happen... just a way to stay in the news cycle (spread rumors)...


This is also a TRIAL BALLOON for a real possible replacement of Cheney.

[Fovea]

44. Sounds like Gerald Ford

all over again. A friendly Republican who can lead the party past a bitter resignation from office or six.

Having raped Iraq, and set things in motion for Trans-'stan/India pipeline. Survival of the deal
is now more important than survival of the administration.

Simple deal... Let us keep raking in the oil/gas money, and you can take this job. Dubya is bored with it anyway. Time to move on to scarce oil and the huge payola.

[grytpype]

45. Giulanni as VP would not give NY to the Repugs.

I think New Yorkers are eager to move on from 9/11, and we really don't want to be reminded.

[jeter]

46. This would be the dumbest move politically if true

It sounds nice. But it would do two things:

1) infuriate conservatives.

2) Be an admission that the war in Iraq was a mistake.

Nothing says a failed Presidency like dumping a VP.

[pacifictiger]

47. that would not suprise me if it were true.

Cheney is fast becoming a scandal laden hot potato, wheras Guilliani is the 9/11 hero. Cheney then can continue to do his dirty work for the PNAC behind the scenes. It would be a brilliant strategy and totally in keeping with the Bush sleaze factor.

[george_w_snatch]

48. this is classic Giuliani

i guarantee you this was floated out there by Rudy's people, not the white house. Guarantee it.

Now that it's out there, Rove has to poll it, and I guess Rudy's gambling that the numbers will be in his favor.

I'll tell you what would be smart of Bush (if that's possible): to make Rudy his AG. Even those idiots who like Ashcroft admit his image does not help Bush. Rudy would be a popular choice nationally to be AG.

But my opinion is, he would actually be scarier than Ashcroft in that position. Make no mistake about this guy, he is a fascist. He may have some progressive stances which may seem appealing, but this guy is an out-and-out fascist. In his world, you are either fully with him, or you are an enemy. Ask anyone who's lived in nyc. There is 0 middle ground with Rudy.

[arcos]

49. LINK!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/Default.aspx?id=4065772&p1=0

[w4rma]

50. I don't believe it. I think they are trying to promote Guliani for another

office and they want to get some free press for him.

[spinbaby]

53. And, for 2004....

...our new, slightly-less-evil ticket.

[Columbia]

54. Cheney's health problems are credible

The rumor that an ambulance follows him around wherever he goes are true. I've seen it with my own eyes.

[hellbound-liberal]

55. The fact that he is a prominent chickenhawk

would allow him to fit in nicely with the rest of those bastards. Maybe by the time November rolls around those who have bravely served our country will grow tired of supporting those who never have.

[Moderator]

57. Locking--please continue here

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