if cheney resigns...who does bush appoint?

[WalterMitty]

what about dick lugar?

he is a grown up and not a polarizing figure (plus  republicans could hold his senate seat easily)

[WalterMitty]

Condi Rice. For the security "reassurance" and for the first Af Am US executive to be a Republican.

actually she should go too, so bush can get a fresh start.

have lugar serve as sec of state and vice prez.

[Mr. Morden]

Harriet Meiers. 

Seriously though, my guess is that he likely would pick either Rice or someone else who's worked for him before.  Tom Ridge would be another possibility.  He would probably want to pick someone who 1) would not be using the vice presidency as a launching pad for a 2008 presidential run (it would be bad form for Bush to be interfering in the '08 race at this stage), and 2) would have an easy enough time getting Senate confirmation.  If not a current or former Cabinet secretary, then probably an older retired Senator like Connie Mack or Dan Coats.  Actually, Lugar wouldn't be that bad a choice, assuming he would want the job, rather  than continue his Senate career.

[CPT MikeyMike]

then probably an older retired Senator like Connie Mack or Dan Coats.  Actually, Lugar wouldn't be that bad a choice, assuming he would want the job, rather  than continue his Senate career.

I believe Cheney recommended Mack as the VP in 2000. Should have gone with him then. Ideal pick today.

[Yates]

Perhaps John Danforth.

[CPT MikeyMike]

Perhaps John Danforth.

Again, another name Cheney recommended to Bush.

Damn! Bush should have listened to one of those choises.

I would also suggest my personal favorite - Fred Thomspon, unless he starts running for president. Being Bush's VP might also hurt his chances.

[memphis]

Bush would appoint another conservative good ol boy who also has his hand in the cookie jar. No way would he pick anybody that would appease the masses when he can't run for election again anyway.

[Yates]

Bush would appoint another conservative good ol boy who also has his hand in the cookie jar. No way would he pick anybody that would appease the masses when he can't run for election again anyway.

He would, however, need to appease Congress.

[memphis]

Bush would appoint another conservative good ol boy who also has his hand in the cookie jar. No way would he pick anybody that would appease the masses when he can't run for election again anyway.

He would, however, need to appease Congress.

Why? He needs only a bare majority in both Houses. Given the short length of tenure left in his administration, and the very slight majorities of the opposition party, I think he could push through anybody he wants, provided that they are reasonably well qualified and not too tarnished by scandal.

[adam]

I would imagine that it would be Condi Rice.

The question though would be whether or not the replacing of Dick Cheney would give the GOP an incumbent VP to run in 2008. It would have to happen soon...but it's not out of the realm of possibility.

[??????????]

Why would/should Cheney resign? He's done nothing wrong.

[WalterMitty]

Perhaps John Danforth.

danforth would be excellent.

i do believe if cheney does resign (slim chance, bush will appoint an 'elder statesmen', like lugar or danforth, someone who has broad bi-partisan support.

what was bush's original shortlist in 2000?  hagel, mccain, danforth and cheney?

[DownWithTheLeft]

Why would/should Cheney resign? He's done nothing wrong.

I know I agree 100%, I think it's hypothethical.  He would probably appoint Joe Lieberman to gain a Senate Seat

[Mr. Morden]

what was bush's original shortlist in 2000?  hagel, mccain, danforth and cheney?

I don't remember all the names.  There were feelers put out to McCain in the spring, but McCain made it clear that he wasn't interested.  The shortlist being floated in early July included names like Elizabeth Dole, Chuck Hagel, John Kasich, and Tom Ridge.  I think Connie Mack as well.  Cheney and Danforth were not among the names being floated at that point.  Then, less than a week before the final decision was handed down, all of a sudden it was between Cheney and Danforth.  Then what happened is....well, here is Wikipedia's explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Danforth

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[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Why would Lugar give up his safe Senate seat for less than 2 years as VP?

[WalterMitty]

Why would Lugar give up his safe Senate seat for less than 2 years as VP?

it seems like a fitting way to end a stellar political career, espcially if bush were to give him the sec of state job as well.

what is lugar going to do in his twilight years in the senate, particularly in the minority?  talk about peanut subsidies in the agriculture committee?

[ShadowRocket]

I could see Rick Santorum or George Allen getting it.

[CPT MikeyMike]

I could see Rick Santorum or George Allen getting it.

Explain. Both were losing Senate candidiates. They would be laughed upon.

[HardRCafé]

Rice.

Danforth would be worse than Hagel.

[ShadowRocket]

I could see Rick Santorum or George Allen getting it.

Explain. Both were losing Senate candidiates. They would be laughed upon.

My reasoning is that they both fall into the neocon category and have been constant supporters of the Bush Administration. You're probably right about them not being taken seriously, but I think they would be considered for the job at the very least.

[GOP = Terrorists]

[YRABNNRM]

The shortlist being floated in early July included names like Elizabeth Dole, Chuck Hagel, John Kasich, and Tom Ridge.  I think Connie Mack as well.  Cheney and Danforth were not among the names being floated at that point.  Then, less than a week before the final decision was handed down, all of a sudden it was between Cheney and Danforth.

Wasn't Marc Racicot considered as well?

[Mr. Morden]

The shortlist being floated in early July included names like Elizabeth Dole, Chuck Hagel, John Kasich, and Tom Ridge.  I think Connie Mack as well.  Cheney and Danforth were not among the names being floated at that point.  Then, less than a week before the final decision was handed down, all of a sudden it was between Cheney and Danforth.

Wasn't Marc Racicot considered as well?

Oh yeah, I think maybe he was.  I sometimes mentally confuse who was on Dole's shortlist in '96 and who was on Bush's shortlist in '00.  So that has to be accounted for as well. 

[minionofmidas]

what about dick lugar?

he is a grown up and not a polarizing figure

So not Dick Lugar then. Bush doesn't trust people like that.

[minionofmidas]

Why would/should Cheney resign?

(not that I agree with the second part, but the question needs answering.)