Vice President James Baker?

[liberalpragmatist]

I'm breaking my own vow here not to speculate about the possibilities of indictments and repercussions.

To be honest, I kind of doubt that Cheney will actually be indicted or named a co-conspirator. My guess is that Rove and Libby will be indicted as well as a few others. But I would guess Cheney will remain.

IF he is indicted, however, and has to resign - and remember, Bush could always pardon him and leave him in office - then who for VP? It's not gonna be Condaleeza Rice. Assuming she isn't indicted, of course, Bush will want to keep her as Secretary of State given his comfort with her in that capacity.

My guess is that a new VP would be picked from somewhere in the House, or from the ranks of former congressmen or Senators. The man I'd finger as the most likely to be appointed would be James Baker, given his closeness with Bush-pere and the fact that he's close to this WH and is always involved in their spin. At the same time, he's not going to upstage Bush and he'll be loyal. That's what Bush will want. Otherwise, maybe Andy Card?

[Coastie for Truth]

1. He is an evil combination of Rove and Cheney

He is an evil combination of Rove (personal loyalty and fealty to the Bush Crime Family - heck, he was Neal's mouthpiece) and Cheney (a real "Prince of Darkness" - and while Cheney is IQ smart - Baker is a lot smarter IQ and sneakiness wise; also much more of a "Big Oil" insider then Dick "Halliburton" Cheney).

I have always referred to Baker as the "Bush family consigliere." He is truly more Machiavellian then either Cheney or DeLay.

If you get the impression that I am not a Baker fan - you're right

[Zen Democrat]

2. He was in charge of the Bush election theft in Florida, wasn't he?

[Coastie for Truth]

4. Yes - and also General Counsel of the Carlyle Group,

director of several oil companies, and is the attorney for various Saudi royals.

[PurityOfEssence]

3. I have a weak stomach

James Baker is one of the truly evil forces in our society for the last few decades. Another scion of great wealth and privilege, he is extremely smart and utterly ruthless. Not only does he know where the bodies are buried, he stood there and supervised the peons who buried them at his behest.

Mercifully, this is not too big a possibility since he is Poppy's pal, and Junior will never tolerate this man getting more power. Sure, he's the guy who fixed the '00 election, but the only way he'll get that billet is if Junior is a puppet of his dad's, and we know that's definitely not the case. Junior hates his dad and revels in showing him up. For Baker to come in, Junior would have had to throw himself in quivering mercy at daddy's feet, and I just don't see that happening right now.

I must say, though, there are some VERY byzantine maneuverings going on backstage these days, and many things are possible.

[longship]

5. Much more likely than McCain or Condi.

They seem to be the main two mentioned here for replacement veep.

James Baker would mean the extension of the evil rather than the end of it.