Consider this: If Cheney goes, Bush is admitting that Iraq was mistake

[jeter]

There are two major negatives for Bush if he gets rid of Cheney.

1) He will be admitting that Iraq was a mistake. Iraq is all Bush has. If it was a failure/mistake, he will be admitting that his administration spent 100+ billion dollars and hundreds of US troops, the war against terrorism, and US prestige around the world on a wrong move. It will do Bush more harm than good IMO.

2) It will alienate all the right-wingers within the party. Bush has made no attempts to win any converts since being selected. His only hope for reelection lies in his being able to get out his base and hoping to supress the Dem. base. Alienating his own right-wingers would not help him do this. Again, it would do Bush more harm than good.

Therefore, I believe he WON'T get rid of Cheney. If he does, it will spell certain doom for his administration. Since he couldn't use family reasons for Cheney's leaving or even health (unless he has another heart attack) since Cheney has stated quite emphatically that he wants to remain as VP.

[LuminousX]

1. Bush is in over his head

He doesn't have the experience or the skillset to handle the variety of problems our counter faces right now.

[Brucey]

2. Cheney may become a bigger liability than asset, in which case

he will bow out for health reasons. It will be a big blow against the repugs, but they might have to do it, if only the media would keep hammering away. Right now I'd say you are right that it is unlikely and the rumors are just trial balloons to see how it would sit with Bush supporters (particularly the money interests).

[jeter]

3. Brucey, you miss the point

If he bows out - Bush is done.

[ShimokitaJer]

4. I think Bush is done anyway

True, emotions tend to run a little high on DU and I've seen the demise of Bush predicted many times before now.

But I've NEVER seen the media ask Bush the questions they're finally asking now. This house of cards is falling and Bush trying to throw Cheney out the window isn't going to stop it.

[cliss]

5. Cheney has become

a liability for Bushco. The man has had scandals in his wake since the day he walked in to the White House. And they don't seem to be dying down; on the contrary.

I think a lot of DU:ers sense a shake-up is in the cards. The problem is, Bushco can't just dump the guy. If they throw him out, it will be the same as admitting they made a BIG mistake. I still think they need to unload him. They could make it look like he's resigning for health reasons.

That's not an exaggeration; how many heart attacks has he had? How many triple bypass surgeries?

[SnohoDem]

6. how many heart attacks has he had?

One too few.

[Starpass]

7. I think they are a nickel short and a day late

You're right that it will look like everything was a lie, everything coming apart at the seams, a shallow attempt to save the little idiot, an admittance that Dick ran the government, etc. But, there were heated times in the past where if they dumped Cheney, people would have smiled and kiss, kiss back to Bush. But I don't think any of these guys being shit canned saves the little prick any longer. The public sees HIM as a weak, stupid, jerk who pranced around in a flight suit. In fact, it could be looked at by the public like Cheney bailed out because he knows that Bush is going down. They are in a tight spot and I don't think they have a way out. About the only thing they have to boost a few numbers is if they drag out Saddam or bin Laden days before the vote.

[Yupster]

8. If Cheney goes, I predict Bush will

make history.

He'll pick a woman or minority. Cheney might even resign a few months early to let the person run as incumbent.

If Bush picks a woman or minority the news will be so overwhelming that no one will remember Cheney's name.

[wuushew]

11. Yes big news..... if the year is 1984

A simple one sentence statement of fact deflates all hypocritical media hype. The dems have half a dozen or more qualified female canidates for vp

[dfong63]

12. good call

i predict (if Cheney goes) that Bush will pick a hispanic. remember how the administration tried to use court nominee Estrada's race as a wedge issue? same principle.

[rman]

9. of course not: Iraq was 'liberated'

never mind that was not the reason given to go to war.

[leftofthedial]

10. Why does "Cheney going" = "Iraq bad"?

I don't see that there is an obvious connection for the sheeple.