For the 1st time in a long time, the VP isn't running for Prez

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
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Since I was born, if a Prez won his 2nd term, then the VP would run for Prez next.

It happened with Reagan/Bush and Clinton/Gore.

Because of Cheney's age and health when he picked as VP, it was unlikely even back then that he would run for Prez.

now there's no obvious choice for Prez nominee for the GOP. It's wide open.

Why did the GOP allow themselves in this situation?
 

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
26,907
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I recall this being discused at the time, IIRC even at the first elction for Bush.

Who could they have picked? McCain? I doubt he would wanted to accept, plus he pissed off a lot of conservatives back then. I doubt they would've rallied around him as choice for VP.

I suspect that (1) there were few who would've wanted to jump into the midlle of the Iraqi war situation. I.e., tie their own political future to that of Bush, (2) no clear choice/concensus on who should "assume the mantle". (I don't think the Repubs know even now who they want for Pres candidate in '08)

At this point, if anybody was offered the VP role, I'm pretty sure they're looking back and are quite happy they refused it.

Fern
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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The more cynical view is that Cheney has already been president for two terms, that he was chosen because he could manage Bush as a figurehead.

I have no idea how true that is, since I don't buy into the conspiracy-nut ideas of shadow government masons, tri-laterals, illuminati, etc.
 

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
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Well, Cheney is already called the most powerful Vice President of all time. So I guess that's good enough.
 

ayabe

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2005
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Such things weren't taken into consideration, remember Cheney picked himself.
 

gcy

Senior member
Feb 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: ayabe
Such things weren't taken into consideration, remember Cheney picked himself.

Yup, he was in charge of the vp selection, he looked around and did not see any one better than him.
:laugh:
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
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Cheney was picked for Bush...don't kid yourselves on that one...

I suspect they may be considering another Bush to run in 08...
 

piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
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I do not think a Bush number 3 would go over that well. Even Republicans are somewhat dissatisfied with Bush as a president. We needed leadership on the immigration issue and all we have is a stalemate. Right now we have all kind of uninvited murderers, thieves, drug runners, and people carrying communicable disease, and who knows what coming accross our southern border. I dont see anyone with a backbone willing to exert any leadership on the issue of immigration.

This is a difficult issue, but that does not mean we should ignore the issue. Both parties need to come to some kind of a consensus. The Federal government has all kinds of laws on immigration that no one is bothering to enforce. I think it is time to close the border completely. It is like a giant invasion.
 

fskimospy

Elite Member
Mar 10, 2006
86,722
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How did immigration come into this?

Cheney definitely picked himself. As far as the VP thing goes... I would consider it a blessing for the GOP (ugh). I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was this bad. When I read up on it... since Martin Van Buren won in 1836, only ONE vice president has won the presidency. (George H.W. Bush in 88) I'm sure that can be chalked up to about a zillion different factors, but it certainly wouldn't cause me to be too terribly sad if I were a republican that Cheney wasn't going to run.

That, and I think they pull a sort of good cop/bad cop routine which really helped with W's re-election. When you have such an enormously unpopular figure as Cheney around, you can use him to dump off all the bad news... use him as your attack dog. That way you still get someone with authority and media exposure to put out your attacks, but you don't get your hands dirty.
 

magomago

Lifer
Sep 28, 2002
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Because Pisabird, as we all know immigration only brings over muderers, theives and drug runners :\ Btw, we do a good job ourselves of spreading STDs without needing help from the " illegals"

as far as VP...

well I think for the Republicans they want this.

This way any new leadership can say "Hey - out with the old and in with the new; we weren't the one leading the country in war! Those guys are gone!"
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
34,559
8,616
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Originally posted by: BoomerD
Cheney was picked for Bush...don't kid yourselves on that one...

I suspect they may be considering another Bush to run in 08...

The Bush name is spoiled goods, George ruined it for Jeb.
 

QuantumPion

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
6,010
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Why did the GOP allow Bush to pick Cheney when he's unelectable as Prez?

Maybe because the GOP is more concerned with having a qualified, experience candidate that is the most beneficial to the country, as opposed to thinking of everything in terms of the next election?
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
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Bush is The Decider.

/shrug

really, it's a good thing for the GOP. there's no way a Bush pick would win in a general election right now. I mean, just look how hard the white house is trying to shy away from it all right now. I doubt any of the republican candidates are clamoring for his endorsement.
 

fskimospy

Elite Member
Mar 10, 2006
86,722
52,545
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Originally posted by: QuantumPion
Why did the GOP allow Bush to pick Cheney when he's unelectable as Prez?

Maybe because the GOP is more concerned with having a qualified, experience candidate that is the most beneficial to the country, as opposed to thinking of everything in terms of the next election?

That's pretty unlikely.

For either party.
 

smashp

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2003
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George Was unelectable without Cheney. Junior wanted to Be the Decider, so Daddy made it so.
 

ntdz

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
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It's actually worked to the benefit of the Republicans...any VP that would run from this admin would have exactly .49384% chance of winning. With no clearcut choice, it allows people from outside the admin to have a real shot at winning.
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
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Historically, few VP's ever become prez by being elected. It's really more of an impediment than an asset.

Cheney has done what he was picked to do- mentor GWB, filter and interpret information, help shape policy and action in the desired direction. God only knows what Dubya might do if left to his own devices...

Condi and the rest of the Cabinet and advisors function much the same way.
 

senseamp

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,787
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Maybe Bush didn't think Cheney's heart would last till 2008 :D But honestly, Bush has thrown Republicans under the bus so many times, this is just one more.
 

ProfJohn

Lifer
Jul 28, 2006
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As whooz pointed out Chenney brought Washington experience to the White House.
The guy does have a pretty long and distinguished resume.

Throw the politics out the window and look at the resumes which VPs in the last 30 or so years have been best qualified to be President? I would say Bush 41 and Chenney, at least on paper.

Nearly every other VP was picked for political reasons, not policy or bringing something the President lacked.
 

ProfJohn

Lifer
Jul 28, 2006
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I think in this case not having a VP will help the Republicans since Iraq has become such a mess.
The Democrats will have a hard time tying Iraq to the Republican Presidential candidate.
Especially if it is Rudy vs. Hillary. One voted for the war, one didn't... how do the Dems spin it to blame Rudy for Iraq?
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: ProfJohnhow do the Dems spin it to blame Rudy for Iraq?

there's so many other things wrong with Rudy I don't think it'll matter :p

if it were me, I'd start with the time he told his wife he wanted to divorce her via live press conference. :laugh: pre-9/11, Rudy wasn't a very popular mayor and there were certainly reasons for it.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,270
13,535
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Originally posted by: QuantumPion
Why did the GOP allow Bush to pick Cheney when he's unelectable as Prez?

Maybe because the GOP is more concerned with having a qualified, experience candidate that is the most beneficial to the country, as opposed to thinking of everything in terms of the next election?

Hey now that'd be a first for the Repigs...some one actually QUALIFIED for the job?
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
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Originally posted by: ayabe
Such things weren't taken into consideration, remember Cheney picked himself.

This probably the only time I have agreed with you..lol
 

daveymark

Lifer
Sep 15, 2003
10,573
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Originally posted by: BoomerD
Originally posted by: QuantumPion
Why did the GOP allow Bush to pick Cheney when he's unelectable as Prez?

Maybe because the GOP is more concerned with having a qualified, experience candidate that is the most beneficial to the country, as opposed to thinking of everything in terms of the next election?

Hey now that'd be a first for the Repigs...some one actually QUALIFIED for the job?

you mean like Obama? :laugh: