The ground swell to remove Dick Cheney from out under the GOP is now in motion

[whistle]

<snip>
A GOP Plan To Oust Cheney

By Sally Quinn
Tuesday, June 26, 2007; 12:00 AM


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.

Removing a sitting vice president is not easy, but this may be the moment. I remember Barry Goldwater sitting in my parents' living room in 1973, in the last days of Watergate, debating whether to lead a group of senior Republicans to the White House to tell President Nixon he had to go. His hesitation was that he felt loyalty to the president and the party. But in the end he felt a greater loyalty to his country, and he went to the White House.

Today, another group of party elders, led by Sen. John Warner of Virginia, could well do the same. They could act out of concern for our country's plummeting reputation throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East.

For such a plan to work, however, they would need a ready replacement. Until recently, there hasn't been an acceptable alternative to Cheney -- nor has there been a persuasive argument to convince President Bush to make a change. Now there is.

The idea is to install a vice president who could beat the Democratic nominee in 2008. It's unlikely that any of the top three Republican candidates -- former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Sen. John McCain of Arizona or former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney -- would want the job, for fear that association with Bush's war would be the kiss of death.

<NORE>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/25/AR2007062501038.html?referrer=emailarticle

[Bucky]

1. Key phrase for understanding the difference between Goldwater and McConnell

"I remember Barry Goldwater sitting in my parents' living room in 1973, in the last days of Watergate, debating whether to lead a group of senior Republicans to the White House to tell President Nixon he had to go. His hesitation was that he felt loyalty to the president and the party. But in the end he felt a greater loyalty to his country, and he went to the White House."

And there you have it.

[Pachamama]

16. I highly doubt that either McConnell, Warner or any of the current GOP cabal will ever find it in

their hearts to react to a greater loyalty to their country instead of their loyalty to the party and to BushCheney Co.....

Goldwater and the GOP then were an entirely different party and people who actually had morals and ethics and a conscience.

[rodeodance]

21. I agree,

[madeline_con]

2. doesn't the job go to the Speaker of the House?

they can just "install" whomever?

[whistle]

3. I think the president can pick a new VP, it's only when both are removed

....or unable to continue tha5t the Speaker is then next in line.

The democrats need to impeach both Bush and Cheney if they really want the White House now

[madeline_con]

6. Oh, like if a big rock falls on them or something. n/t

[Hamlette]

4. no, the president can pick a replacement if Cheney were to resign n/t

[radfringe]

17. but that "replacement" must be approved by congress

In the article, there's speculation that Thompson may be tapped

I think it's a long shot he would be approved by Congress. When Gerald Ford was picked to replace Agnew, he was approved with the understanding he wouldn't run for president (that changed over the following couple of years).

I don't think the Dems would approve of any republic currently or any even toying with the idea of a run at the presidency. It's too close to the election to let the republics get a leg-up

If the Dems did approve of someone they KNEW was ruunign or thinking of running it could easily be used as a campaign talking point - "The Democrats approved me for as VP, so they must think I'm up to the job as someone who is able to step in as President"

[terisan]

29. Since not have to be Republican or member of Congress, Dems could refuse to confirm

unsuitable candidate. I think we should be considering suitable candidates now.

If founders wanted to restrict pool of candidates pres could nominate, or time frame for VP to be appointed they would have. We could be in another Agnew-Nixon-Ford situation and it may be time for Congress to insist upon a nominee they and we would want to confirm.

If Bush were to create a stalemate by nominating an unacceptable candidate let them leave the office open. Of couse the Republicans would have a group temper tantrum but I am not sure the public would listen to their chicken-little style whining and screaming.

[Lobster Martini]

8. "Install" is the wrong word...

The President nominates a successor who must be confirmed by the Senate. Precedents include Nixon nominating Gerald Ford and Gerald Ford nominating Nelson Rockefeller.

[MonkeyFunk]

12. actually

the nominee must be confirmed by both houses of congress.

[Lobster Martini]

19. Correct--I should have said Congress, not Senate...blame the Lunesta...n/t

[HCE SuiGeneris]

5. Damn it's good to see that headline in one of the MSM papers.

Of course, 5 years too late, but... I guess you take what you can get.

[Lobster Martini]

7. Absolutely no way Thompson wants Cheney's job

The GOP may be better off when Cheney goes overboard, but no sane person would want his job. One might more readily volunteer for death by stoning; it would be less painful and over more quickly.

The new Veep will be linked to a President who is less popular than mosquito bites and will have to defend wildly unpopular policies that he did not create. No way Thompson wants that gig. If any Presidential candidate does, it will be a dark horse who needs the free publicity.

Perversely, it might actually be in W's best interest to nominate a replacement who would not be confirmed easily, leaving the office vacant for a while if not for the rest of his term.

[JDPriestly]

9. A new vice president is chosen pursuant to the 25th Amendment

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

Bush will have to chose a vice president that gets the vote of the majority of the House. This will test the Democrats' will to win in 2008. It is hard to imagine that a Democratic Congress will approve a vice president who could conceivably prevail in the election in 2008. That is just ridiculous.

[Crabby Appleton]

27. which is why chenney won't be leaving. nt

[JDPriestly]

39. Absolutely although Bush could appoint someone during

a recess. I think, however, that would escalate Bush's own investigation by Congress.

[GreenTea]

10. Cheney can do as he pleases...

and thumb his nose at congress on everything as he does...Cheney also knows congress can't touch him, because as planned, he can then simply step down, (and avoid impeachment) citing health reasons...then as planned the republicans will have a new VP - one that will run against the Dems in 2008...Who might that be to hold the crime family's fascist fort?

[Philosoraptor]

24. He'll die peacefully at home in his sleep.

And in his last thoughts he'll regret that he couldn't have acquired just a few more dollars.

[kurth]

30. or killed more people

[badgerpup]

11. What are the odds that we might have something for the Friday news dump?

...and can Bush do his sneaky back-door recess appointment trick for THIS position?

Just wondering-

[KeepItReal]

13. "The idea is to install a vice president who could beat the Democratic nominee in 2008"

Doesn't that say it all??

This whole exercise doesn't have sh*t to do with what Dick has actually DONE, but rather to give the GOP a pre-election poll boost based on some perceived house cleaning at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

[Philosoraptor]

25. There's only one person equally as slimy, fred thompson.

[file83]

42. That and the fact that the Republicans will win back the hearts of many voters

if they get him impeached. That way they can claim they were the "true leaders" even as a minority and that they "care for their country first, their party second".

The Democrats are so fumbling this game of politics up.

[DeSwiss]

14. On further into the article....

"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."

There's the answer: just give em' some old half-dead batteries. Of course that'd slow him down a little when playing horsey with lil Sammie. But it'd be great for everybody else!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

15. A little corrosion??? Nahh.... not to worry.

just being theoretical here.

[Gelliebeans]

18. I know where we

can get a deal on batteries from China...:evilgrin:

[loudsue]

38. LOL!!! THAT would be rich!!

It would serve him right.

:kick:

[Philosoraptor]

20. Everyone acts like they are TERRIFIED of big dick.

He must really have the goods on a lot of people up there.

[monmouth]

22. My fear is that Dubya would name brother Jeb. God help us all. eom

[Philosoraptor]

23. President & Vice President bush...thanx for putting THAT in my head.

[tom_paine]

26. Dear God in heaven: if this turns out to be true, I predicted it YEARS AGO

If Cheney is replaced by the person who eventually becomes Emperor of Amerika (and if they do that, then it is a signal that the 2008 election will be more rigged than the rest of them by implication), then this, too will follow not the motions of Free Nations, but those of Totalitarian footholds.

Or as I described it (and it may be archived here at DU): "McCain (or insert name here) has been selected as our Vice-Emperor! That means he will be our next Emperor!"

I was afraid of this and hope it not to be true, because it is merely an indicator of how far into the Thrid World Imperial Amerika has fallen.

[Eagle_Eye]

28. Replacing Cheney is a smoke screen to cover up something the administration is doing

The bush administration is trying to force something bad onto the American people while the media is covering a fabricated cheney replacement story.
I would keep an eye on the immigration bill right now and ignore this story about cheney.

[kurth]

32. The next Dem administration must root out and remove all Cheney's spies and protégés

[charlie]

31. Beltway flack writes a crush note to Thompson

Jesus Batwinged Christ, you can really tell Quinn spent most of her "journalism" career writing for the Post's Style section.

Freddo will give Dubya the opportunity to defuse Iraq without looking like he's backing down? WTF? HOW?! Is his crusty charm going to make Iraqis helplessly swoon like Sally? They'll have to spooge and fall like dominoes from day one if Bush is going to have time left to work on his legacy of fucking up AIDS and the environment, as she envisions.

And that bit about Fred, the sensible voice of reason, barking commands at the vain, testy Boy King is too stupid to even be funny.

[ThomWV]

33. Three key paragraphs:

"That leaves Fred Thompson. Everybody loves Fred. He has the healing qualities of Gerald Ford and the movie-star appeal of Ronald Reagan. He is relatively moderate on social issues. He has a reputation as a peacemaker and a compromiser. And he has a good sense of humor.

He could be just the partner to bring out Bush's better nature -- or at least be a sensible voice of reason. I could easily imagine him telling the president, "For God's sake, do not push that button!" -- a command I have a hard time hearing Cheney give.

Not only that, Thompson would give the Republicans a platform for running for the presidency -- and the president a way out of Iraq without looking like he's backing down. Bush would be left in better shape on the war and be able to concentrate on AIDS and the environment in hopes of salvaging his legacy."

My, my, could it possibly be any better?

[Cooley Hurd]

34. One very important thing to remember about Bush's successor:

They must be willing to cover up the numerous crimes of the previous admin. Is Fred Thompson a guy who would be willing to do so? If he is, then he risks the scrutiny of historians (risking his own legacy) and possibly his re-election chances in 2012.

However, Thompson is on the advisory board of the legal defense fund for Scooter Libby, so that indicates he DOESN'T take the rule of law very seriously. Perhaps he IS willing to issue pardons and do what is necessary to keep members of the previous admin out of jail.:thumbsdown:

[emanymton]

35. Cheney Ain't Leaving! ...

.
Even with a presidential pardon, Cheney will never give up power as long as he has a breath in him. Get something straight; the head of this criminal conspiracy is only safe as long as he holds onto power.

The rule of law waits for those who served Cheney when Cheney leaves office. Do you think for a moment Cheney does not see the 'end game'? The people who have worked so closely with Cheney have the goods on him. Should he give up power in exchange for a presidential pardon, no amount of Secret Service protection will keep him safe from the underlings who will be open to legal prosecution after Cheney is no longer the VP.
.

[loudsue]

36. The WaPo stole my post from the other day....

See posts #11 and #21....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1171716#1172073

I've seen this coming, or else we wouldn't have had all these exposes of Cheney over the past few days. Cheney claiming he wasn't a member of either the executive or legislative branch and therefore didn't have to turn over his papers was INTENTIONAL, to give the repukes leave to get rid of him....They're still trying to create a 100-year repuke reign.

:kick::kick::kick:

[Bosso 63]

37. Republicans are stuck between Iraq and a hard place.

Actually they are stuck between Iraq and a cliff, but where's the pun in that?

[jazzjunkysue]

40. Rumsfeld, Gonzalez, Brownie, Chertok, Cheney, all doing a heck of a job.

"They all have my full support. Now watch this drive."

[file83]

41. *Ahem* - Why the FUCK aren't the Democrats doing this?

The GOP is going to capitalize on Cheney's 9% approval rating by spearheading the motion to get Cheney impeached. That way they will win over MANY voters for 2008.

So my question is, why in hell aren't the Democrats doing this instead? Afterall, Cheney is a REPUBLICAN! Even is own party want him out.

How long have we been in the Twilight Zone?