Think * will choose Powell as a running mate?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

I mean if Cheney is history and you need a military man to cover your own AWOL butt and he also happens to be an African American male and you want to gain the African American vote...

think it's possible?

[TexasPatriot]

1. i heard a rumor it was McCain

but McCain hates bunnypants - not sure he'd do it.

[oasis]

27. The way McCain ripped Rummy today....fuggedaboudit.

[MidwestMomma]

2. Yes very possible

I've also thinkt that Cheney might resign and they'd put in a more electable VP. I was thinking Guillani(sp) to play on all the 9/11 hype but Powell is good too.

[izzie]

14. I have heard Rice but GOP is so anti-women , I can not see it.

If Cheney goes, you can bet it will not be far way. He had to come in on some type of deal with power behind it. I will never think anything different. Something was so fishy about that whole deal. Bush who life has been a mess with someone all ways taking over the mess for him. Why would it stop when he wanted to be President? We tend to be what we are .

[Gadave]

15. Thats why she is the perfect candidate for them

It makes them think they are not bad on women's issues by selecting a VP who is not a strong women, but one with "traditional values".

It's like appointing Clarence Thomas to the supreme court to give Scalia 2 votes. They get a twofer. They deflect their own bigotry while at the same time they get an AAINO. An african american in name only.

[Tansy_Gold]

47. the general republican electorate

would not stand still for an african american vp candidate, much less an african american woman vp. the traditional pro-confederate white southern males would stay home in droves rather than vote for rice or powell. sorry if that is taken as offensive by any southerners here, but i stand by it -- the traditional strom-thurmond-dixiecrat south would not vote for an african american. they will tolerate the appointment of an african american supreme court justice (who happens to vote like a plantation owner) because they see it as a sop to political correctness. but they won't vote for 'em.

[joshcryer]

3. Yep, and likely. Cheney can be blamed for WMD mishaps.

It'd go down nicely. I bet that's what's going to happen.

[BigDaddyLove]

20. It would actually be easier to blame Powell for WMD mishaps...

because he really put his ass on the line by going to the U.N. and lying in front of the whole world, whereas Cheney did most of his lying sitting across from Tim Russert and in speeches given to Right-wing thinktanks.

Also, I think that if they put Powell on the ticket in place of Cheney in hopes of gaining some of the 'black' vote, they run the risk of losing a lot of their 'white' voting base who wouldn't vote for a ticket that's shared with a black man....especially a Republican ticket.

[_Jumper_]

4. No. Powell would overshadow Shrub

I think his top VP choice would be Condie Rice because she can appeal to women, minorities (particularly African-Americans), and moderates.

[Gadave]

8. Condi is my nightmare

I would have a terrible sinking fealing in my stomach is Condi get Shrubbies VP spot.

For one, I want the first woman or minority VP to be a democrat since we are the ones who support equal rights.

Also, I fear that although minorities are smart enough to see through such a ploy, if only 10 percent switch to the pukes, we will lose pretty big.

I am just glad that there are too many bigots in the pukes to allow that to happen.

[YouMustBeKiddingMe]

5. Not a chance

He'd lose the bigot demographic

[Justitia]

6. Sure, and Ann Richardson takes over as Sec of State

Powell as VP will never happen.

The Condi or Giuliani angle might, 'tho.

[YouMustBeKiddingMe]

10. No way for Condi for the same reason

She would kill his bigot demographic too.

I thought Guliani was the rumored replacement. That would be scary cuz that might actually help Bush.

[Tansy_Gold]

48. giuliani has too much sexual history

his high profile affair, divorce, etc. will not play well with the family values crowd, and even if they can overlook his rather checkered past, the Dems won't let a single "I want to move my legal wife out of the mayor's mansion so I can move my mistress in" incident go unpublicized.

giuliani may be the "hero" of NYC 9/11, but he's got too much baggage.

the GOP made a mistake putting cheney in as vp -- a mistake the Dems ought to capitalize on -- because they can't take him out (unless, of course, he actually dies) without admitting something is wrong, and if * were to steal another term, how could they run sickie dickie in 2008? they've got no one on deck.

oh, i suppose they could nominate jebbie :puke: :puke: :puke: but i think that might bring out kevin phillips with an ak-47.

[onebigbadwulf]

7. No one is replacing cheney.

A puppet doesn't work without a master.

[Gadave]

9. Why does cheney have to be vp to be puppetmaster

He can simply get 2 puppets.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

11. It's Gonna Be Giuliani

And we are going to have to fight like hell for NY.

DTH

[KissMyAsscroft]

12. I think that can be spun to our advantage...

The Dems can use it to sow doubt...

Basically they can say that the administration is out of control and that characterize the Cheney ditching as a desperate attempt to rearrange the deck chair on the Titanic...

The wild card is if the media will even report the Dem counter-point. I have a feeling its going to be a year of epic whoredom with that Bush money pourin in...

[Gadave]

13. If we lose NY it could be over before it begins

I don't think Giuliani will give them NY though, cause I think his self congratulatory pats on the back for his bravery will wear thin by then.

That guy is so sleazy, how does anyone beleive his act.

[K-W]

40. It would take a heck of alot more than Giuliani to win NY

DOnt forget that a large portion of NY doesnt like Giuliani anyway.

[YouMustBeKiddingMe]

16. Good point

And Arnie is planted in CA. Either state could throw the election to Bush.

[Toronto Ron]

23. I doubt Giuliani; maybe...

He's too moderate (isn't he pro-choice?); would cause fractures among the zealot base. More likely to choose a wingnut in a swing state, like Rick Sanctimonium (PA senaturd).

[freetempe]

34. Yup

Giuliani will replace Cheney, who will end up back at Halliburton or some other cushy Cabinet level job. And NY will be a HUGE battleground.

[ButterflyBlood]

46. Giuliani is...

a pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-gun control adulterer. he'd be a disaster for the base.

And New Yorkers aren't going to vote for someone as insane as Bush just because of the bottom of the ticket.

[LiberalVoice]

17. I very much doubt it.

First off even the friggin republicans are getting tired of watching those two screw things up. They're probably going to try and find a 'fresh' looking duo...Plus I'm sure they are going take into effect the fact that most republicans, especially in the south and those with alot of money are racist. I don't know who they will pick to run with * if cheney drops out. But, to be honest I don't think Cheney will let go till they're zippin up the body bag.

[xchrom]

18. yes and i've said so

for the longest time.
it's just the smartest thing they could do.
that's why it's important to play up powells' record on telling the truth -- from my lai to wmd's. the media have given him a free pass when in fact he has simply been a schill.

[isbister]

19. I think Powell's going to quit

Aren't Powell's Viet Nam skeletons worse than bush's?

And were was he when Saddam was gassing those Kurds or slaughtering them and the Shiites after Gulf I?

[chiburb]

21. NSMA: my thread from Dec. 18...

Great minds must think alike!

Bush/Powell Ticket In '04...(?)


Yesterday I saw a crawl on CNN that said 90% of Americans think "highly" of Powell. Given that Cheney will likely be a liability in '04, and as has been speculated here many times, Rove has to dump him (for health reasons), will the VEEP spot be Powell's reward? Wouldn't that be a "dream" ticket for them? Wouldn't that siphon off some of the African-American vote (presumed) from our ticket? Especially since it sets Powell up to be President in '08?

I see a much tougher row to hoe for ANY of our candidates against Bush/Powell. Tell me why I'm wrong...

Link added on edit:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=936467

[Gadave]

30. I think Powell is too good of a man to be used as a tool anymore

I don't expect Powell to accept a nomination cause I think he is already disgusted at himself for being used as a tool by the Republicans this long. If you ask me, he seems to be disgusted in himself whenever he gives a press conference or has to answer questions about the Iraqmire,

So, I bet he quits in 04 and goes back to his farm, oh wait, or was that Cincinnatus?

[thebigidea]

31. too good a man? He's been a tool for decades and he's snug in the toolbox

[Julien Sorel]

22. No.

Bush isn't going to do anything that might create a challenger for Jebbie. Cheney is perfect for him, as he's likely to keel over any second, and so is totally unsuited to run a presidential campaign.

[Armstead]

24. Perhaps, but he's dirtier than Bush in the Iraq mess

Of all of that crew, Powell is the one who pissed me off the most -- because he knew better.

Powell sopld out any ounce of integrity he had by hopping on board the War Bandwagon, and becoming the biggest shill and liar despite his principles. He knew better before and after, but hefolded when it counted.

That could be a liability in election terms, if the Iraq War is a focus.

Condi is just as bad, in a different way. She is the one who ws conatrantly having to apoligize for everything. "Oh we never thought anyone could fly a plane into a building."


If they are going to pull the race card, maybe they'll get an outsider with con credentials, like JC Watts.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

25. Interesting answers - my responses

I don't think Bush can take NY all that handily with Guiliani. While he is a hero for 9/11, it won't help him with the AA vote after all the brutality cases on Rudy's watch. It WOULD help him nationally. I have heard Guiliani floated and think he MAY do it to swing the moderates back to him if people PUT the blame on Cheney.

It WON'T be Condi. There's just too many fumbles by her with the press surrounding 9/11 and other issues. She doesn't come off well for prime time.

I doubt he would choose McCain simply because he's too unforgiving to choose the guy that campaigned against him.

Out of all of them Powell makes the most sense, especially if Kerry is our nominee and chooses Clark or someone of similar stature as a running mate.

[chiburb]

26. And that's what scares me...

Say our ticket is Kerry/Clark (a winner imho). The ONLY ticket of theirs that could trump it would be Bush/Powell. You're right about Condi and Rudy, and they'd get squashed like bugs. Even if Bush allowed McCain to run, he's like so yesterday that he's no big deal.
Nope, I'll stick with my prediction of Dec. 18 (posted above) that Cheney is out and Powell is in...

[Fleshdancer]

28. I think it will be Rice. They expect Hillary to run in '08 if * wins

Many members of the GOP might not be excited about the idea of a woman...an African-American woman for President, but I think they care about beating Hillary Clinton more.

I'm not too worried though because unless the GOP cheats heavily, I don't see how they can win.

[David__77]

29. Pro-choice, pro-gay, pro-affirmative action. No way.

They'd never do that. It would spur a third-party challenge and Bush would lose. The Democrat could win more easily against a Bush/Powell ticket I believe, even maybe garnering some southern support, which doesn't necessarily mean a good thing in some respects.

[NashVegas]

32. Faggeddabouttit

Powell got up in front of the world and lied about Iraq's WMD.

He got what his wife wanted: the cessation of any opportunity to be POTUS.

[eissa]

33. Powell is the odd-man out

he's only there as a prop anyway ("hey, look! we really do like you colored folks!") He's not hawkish enough by their standards. Besides, how can Cheney fire himself? * doesn't really decide anything.

[mlawson]

35. Guiliani or Frist. Either way we are in deeeeeeep

you-know-what!!! x(

[randr]

36. Giuliani is at the top of the list

Rudy has plenty of skeletons. He may not want to dirty his less than pure image with an association with *. Especially if things keep going the way they have the last week or so. My hope is that *'s appearance on MTP this weekend will put the final nail in his coffin. Try to imagine him answering questions for an hour.

[David Zephyr]

37. Possibly.

Let's say that Clark is chosen as VP, then Bush might dump Cheney and have either McCain, Powell or Hagel as VP (McCain would do it, believe me). It's the the military "thing" to, as you say, compensate for the AWOL charges beginning to stick.

Let's say that Edwards is chosen as VP, then Bush might dump Cheney and pick Rudy for his VP...prosecutor vs. prosecutor.

I think Bush and Poppy Bush both want to dump Cheney, but........

For what it's worth, Gawd Ahlmightie has already told Pat Robertson that Bush will win in November and Robertson says that it would be a disaster for Bush to dump Cheney. Bill Bennett says the same thing...that Bush has to keep Cheney.

And...Lynn Cheney is not going to let Dickie go away into the night. The Cheney's have all the shit on the Bush family.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

38. Yeah but would they use it?

I like the rest of your scenarios though...very astute.

[Taeger]

50. Don't you think McCain is pissed

Don't you think that McCain is still a little pissed about the Bush campaign trying to make him out to be a traitor will in a POW camp????

The only reason I would see McCain being the Veep is so he could be president by strangling Bush.

[David Zephyr]

51. Pissed? Yes. Opportunistic? Yes, And It Outweighs "Pissed"

I gave "straight talk" John McCain hundreds of dollars in his attempt to defeat Bush in 2000. I would have never voted for him, but like lots of Democrats, I saw Bush as a real threat.

Well, for my contribution$, what did I receive from John McCain? A fund-raising letter on behalf of Gary Bauer to help pay off his campaign debts.

McCain sent out fundraising letters on behalf of Gary Bauer to those who had contributed to him!

McCain is an opportunist and an illusion of moderation not worth a moment's consideration.

He'd jump at the chance to be Mister Vice President...if the petulant boy/idiot king would just give it to him.

[salin]

39. I don't see it - his power base are the ultra conservative neocons

they have pried him away from his daddy's roots - and it often appears advice - on what appears to be a "we can make you better than yer daddy". He is completely dependent upon them for policies - for steering through rough political waters - for raising more than beaucoup bucks. And they don't trust Poppy. I think the term that Brock uses is "Squishy" (how they viewed Poppybush.) Powell is a Poppy man and has been at odds with the neocons. 10:1 they (neocons) are filling his ears with placing the blame on the current pr fiasco on the Powell camp of the cabinet. They would threaten to abandon him... and he has relied upon them for 10 years... as he is too lazy to do his own thinking/analysis on issues, he is too lazy to write his own speeches and put spin on things... he would be lost without them. I don't think he would risk that. He (they) may pick another percieved moderate - but not one who has engaged in power struggles with them.

[aquart]

41. Not after tonight's 60 Minutes II.

Now the country knows he's nothing but a lying lapdog.

[macdevo]

42. yes

He only had Powell there as a puppet. The most useless position in political office is the Veep. Except for being President of the Senate, the Veep has no constitutional duties. It would be feasible for monkeyboy to make Powell Veep to keep him under wraps and attempt to get the African American vote.

[Snappy]

43. Cheney stays.

Powell and Rice are seen as sellouts by most Afro-Americans and the racist so-called Repubs would be livid. Gouliani has too many negatives.

Cheney is "The President".

[Ilsa]

44. Why would Cheney go quietly?

He's got a huge ego, and I don't think he'll want to be bumped out or have the blame for Iraq tossed on himself. Why would he go quietly and voluntarily? Please, I would like for someone to explain how this would play out.

[Logansquare]

45. According to the BBC, Powell's wife threatened to walk

if he ran for President. I don't think she'd be any more thrilled with the VP slot. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2501097.stm

[AlinPA]

49. Powell for Bush* VP? Yes.

I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet.