What are the odds that Cheney's "fall" is orchestrated?

[Captain Angry]

If Cheney wanted to retire, or skip the country before something actually happens to him, wouldn't this be a great way to go?

The Republicans can act like the party of morals if they make a public stand and ask him to step down.
The Republicans then get to appoint the new VP, which makes them an automatic incumbent.
Cheney skips off to some out of the way place where he can run things from afar.
The Reps get to show the Dems didn't have the power or the guts to do it, and that they have the integrity.

I'm sure I'm way off, but I'll tell you something. If I wanted an easy way out, to go retire and go fishing without everybody questioning me, this would work out really well.

I just hate to see the Dems not making a united stand against his actions. This should be the easiest thing ever. Exhibit A: The Constitution. Exhibit B: Cheney. Guilty.

But as we all know, they're just not doing anything together to make this stop. Every second of every day that they let Cheney maintain his position, they are silently supporting his right to make the decisions he is. Regardless of their Constitutionality. We know the Reps aren't going to do anything for ethical reasons, so if anything happens, it's going to be purely political.

Am I way off?

[Donnachaidh]

1. I don't put anything past these bastards anymore.

If passing gas could get them some money, they'd do it.

[rufus dog]

2. I don't see it

They would have to be admitting that thier co president was a corrupt SOB, then they would have to distance themselves from Cheney/Bush and if the Dems can't tie the Republican Savior Fred to Cheney then they really suck.

[pnwmom]

4. I agree. Cheney makes all of them look bad.

They probably are wishing that we'd impeach him -- so they don't have a Republican's blood on their hands -- and get him out of there.

[tridim]

6. Yep, quitting would be the best easy way out

He wont quit though.

I think The Dick's perceived power went to his head and he hung himself with his own hubris. It's happened many times before.

[donheld]

3. I think "Cheney's fall" is delusional

He's not going anywhere.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. Seems as though cheney isn't accountable to anyone.

cheney would argue that no one has the constitutional power to oust him.

[Prophet 451]

7. Not sure

If Cheney's "fall" is anything more than illusory then firstly, it would be by design and secondly, it's entirely possible he would just be excercising power from a less visible position.

Bush might be dumb as a sack of hammers but Cheney is lethally clever. If he's "falling", it's by design.

[aquart]

8. So, tell us how you'd do it.

[CK_John]

9. IMO, Cheney is gearing up for another run as VP. I worry about a Romney/Cheney ticket.

For all those who are going to pipe in with, "they will never do that" or "they have only 18% approval", are underestimating the stupidity of the 48% that vote.

It is going to be Clinton, Romney, and maybe Bloomberg.

[Bucky]

10. The odds are just about nil

Cheney can't give up power and the Republicans can't orchestrate their own shits, much less a downfall of one of their own.

I imagine what's behind a lot of hte news we're getting on Cheney of late is simply the result of him accruiing enemies within the White House from all his bossy power plays over the years. Someone leaked to the press that he's saying he's not bound by executive branch rules. Several people started grumbling to the WaPo about their gripes about his management style and inteference in national security debates.

Republicans are vicious when they turn on their own. They're sharks, not elephants. People are putting pressure on Cheney through articles like the WaPo series and the other recent shanigans because he's pushing his agenda on confronting Iran over the heads of the professionals, who miraculously seem to have won Condi Rice over to their side. Expect to see a couple of ugly stories leaked about Rice in the next couple of weeks.

Cheney will fight back.

[PBass]

11. In my opinion, zero chance Cheney is being set up for a fall...

I'd love to be there to watch, if Dumbya tried to tell President Cheney he's through...

Cheney would give Bush a hard slap across the face, and then tell him to get the hell out of his office.

[radfringe]

12. they have a convenient reason to replace him: doctor's orders

A GOP Plan To Oust Cheney
By Sally Quinn
Tuesday, June 26, 2007; 12:00 AM
WP - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/25/AR2007062501038.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

The big question right now among Republicans is how to remove Vice President Cheney from office. Even before this week's blockbuster series in The Post, discontent in Republican ranks was rising.

As the reputed architect of the war in Iraq, Cheney is viewed as toxic, and as the administration's leading proponent of an attack on Iran, he is seen as dangerous. As long as he remains vice president, according to this thinking, he has the potential to drag down every member of the party -- including the presidential nominee -- in next year's elections.

---snip---

Cheney is scheduled this summer for surgery to replace his pacemaker, which needs new batteries. So if the president is willing, and Republicans are able, they have a convenient reason to replace him: doctor's orders. And I'm sure the the vice president would also like to spend more time with his ever-expanding family.

[TheMadMonk]

13. Cheyney will die in office or in jail and he knows this.

He won't go willingly. And he knows where most (if not all) of the bodies are buried. And I don't think he's beyond punishing the party if he can't get to those doing the shoving directly.