Novak: Lugar likely to replace Powell if Shrub re-elected

[goobergunch]

Well-placed sources say Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is the leading prospect to succeed Colin Powell as secretary of state in the second term of a Bush administration.

more...http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak21.html

Interesting. Lugar is relatively moderate on foreign policy for a Republican (although that's not saying much). However, I doubt that he'd have any more sway in a Bush administration than Powell does...probably even less.

And of course, this is Novak, so it's not necessarily reliable.

[CMT]

1. well lets make sure he isn't re-elected

but if he is hopefully we will have a democratic governor in Indiana.

[chiburb]

2. I know all the arguments against this scenario, but...

I still predict that Cheney will be deemed a liability by Rove, and Powell will end up as the Veep nominee.

[Military Brat]

3. And for the campaign, they can show that famous photo of Colin

with his hysterical face, displaying that vial of imaginary toxin to the UN.

Maybe "God" is taking Powell out of the equation. This surgery is a good reason for him to decline running for office. I wonder if he's had enough of being the bush administration's toy.

[ps1074]

4. Cheney will probably stay

They know Cheney can't run in 08 and even if he does he has too much negatives to win. Bush wants Cheney with him now, so in 08 Jeb can run at the top of the republican ticket.

[yellowcanine]

5. If NoFacts said it, you know it isn't true

Tip O'Neil had Novak pegged way back when he first became Speaker of the House. He said that Evans and Novak offered to write puff pieces about him if he gave them access. O'Neil through the two of them out of his office. Novak isn't a reporter, he is a suck-up and that is how he gets his "stories". If he said it, it is most surely a bunch of crap.

[otohara]

6. Lugar Can Forget Being A Moderate

Oh, I trust Novak - he can't wait to be the first to unleash news like this. Makes him feel like big man on campus

[MetaTrope]

7. Another Freudian slip for the Shrub?

Not enough to have the SS as his bodyguards, now he wants to dictate foreign policy with a Lugar?

[BiggJawn]

8. Oh, that's so old!

"Is it dangerous in Indianapolis?"
"Well, the Mayor's wife sleeps with a Lugar..."

circa 1969.

[PackedForPerth]

9. My guess...

I just don't know. I think Powell will retire. I'd think Rice would be a natural replacement except that Bush needs somebody good at VP to groom for 2008. He might be thinking Cheney, but somehow I don't think so. I'm betting that he goes with Rice as VP unless she decides to take on Boxer out here next year. A successful, bright, black, conservative woman who Repubs could be depended on to vote for in 2008 would be a nightmare scenario for Democrats.