Rice for Vice?

[Gn2Dlnd]

While this is strictly in the rumor and innuendo stage, it is incredibly entertaining!

Sparked by today's Washington Post story that suggests Vice President Cheney's office is involved in the Plame-CIA spy link investigation, government officials and advisers passed around rumors that the vice president might step aside and that President Bush would elevate Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/051018/18whwatch.htm?track=rss

Female, Black, Lesbian(ish), 3 out of 4 ain't bad!

[Prudence]

It's not a totally insane idea. Cheney's not a viable candidate in '08, and this would be a way to test Rice's marketability on the main ticket. I don't think for a second that the GOP would run her as potential head cookie, but as VP candidate she could pull away some support traditionally thrown the other way. And if she already was VP, it would lessen the "ohmygosh-it's-a-woman" hue and cry from the smoky back rooms. Meanwhile, it would certainly take over headlines for some time and remove the Cheney/Haliburton distraction. Worst case scenario? Approval ratings don't rise and no Rice on the '08 ticket. Oh well! Granted, that's my 30-second analysis and surely there are things I missed.

[scaeagles]

I think if Cheney resigned it would be "officially" for health reasons. There is no way politically they would allow the dems to have a campaign issue such as the VP resigning due to a criminal investigation. I don't think it happens.

However, it is an interesting idea. It gives Rice name recognition among the politically uninformed masses - enough to match a Hillary or a Gore or a Kerry or a whomever.

I wonder what sort of demographic changes a Rice nomination for President would make. Does it mean instantaneous and significant increases in the black vote? Are there downsides to it? Is racism/sexism prominent enough to take votes away from her?

Prominent (and brilliant) political strategist Dick Morris thinks she is the only Republican that can both win the republican nomination AND defeat Hillary should she win the dem nomination. He thinks both McCain and Guiliani (sp?) could beat Hillary, but doesn't think either of them can win the primary.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

However, it is an interesting idea. It gives Rice name recognition among the politically uninformed masses - enough to match a Hillary or a Gore or a Kerry or a whomever.

I truly hope that "whomever" wins the nomination, rather than the other names you listed.


I wonder what sort of demographic changes a Rice nomination for President would make. Does it mean instantaneous and significant increases in the black vote?

My understanding is that after Katrina, Bush's numbers among black voters plummeted. I think Rice is too close to Bush for there to be an upswing in those numbers. Valid reason or not, I think it hurt her chances. Remember the stories about her buying shoes and going to see Spamalot while FEMA fumbled the ball. A lot of people took note of that. Now granted, I don't think that is a fair criticism. The Sec of State doesn't really play any significant role in domestic affairs and there isn't much she could have done. Still, appearances play a big part in things and I think it looked bad to a lot of the affected citizens.


Prominent (and brilliant) political strategist Dick Morris thinks she is the only Republican that can both win the republican nomination AND defeat Hillary should she win the dem nomination. He thinks both McCain and Guiliani (sp?) could beat Hillary, but doesn't think either of them can win the primary.

So much can happen in the next 3 years but for some reason, I don't see Hillary being able to win. Personally, I like her but there are a lot of people out there who see her as the anti-christ. I think the dems can pick up some of the moderates on the republican side, but not with her.

Like I said though, a lot can change between now and then. Let's see how many people get convicted first. ;)

[SacTown Chronic]

Which one's Condi Rice? All those neocons look alike to me.

[Gn2Dlnd]

The one in the nice shoes. Plays a piano.

[Prudence]

If the dems don't run Hilary, and the GOP runs Rice as VP the GOP can be the enlightened ones running a woman. If the dems do run Hilary, and the GOP runs Rice as VP, the GOP offers the opportunity for people to vote for a woman without voting for a woman, if that makes any sense. Regardless, I predict that the GOP will suceed in placing a woman as VP or head cookie first. The GOP woman is family-friendly, no TV during supper, pick up your room, warm cookies from the oven. The democratic woman is a man-hating, bra-burning, daycare-using* whore.

*Note that I am not personally criticizing daycare. However, I did just spend a weekend visiting the (GOP) in-laws where daycare is seen as possibly the worst form of child abuse and anyone who considers it should be flayed alive. In some circles, it's definitely approaching deadly sin status. Not that I agree with that, because I don't.

[Gemini Cricket]

The one in the nice shoes. Plays a piano.
Looks just like my Aunt Irma...

Neocondaleeza Rice as Vice President?! Bleh. I would love to see her and Hillary go at it in '08, though... (They both have bad hair. Rice has that Carol Brady mullet thing going...)
:D

[Alex]

Only Nixon could go to China and at this point in time only the Republicans can elect a woman or black president. That's my view anyway.

Doesn't mean they will, though. We could certainly do worse than Rice as VP or President, though the last true academic in the White House (Wilson) was a bit of a disaster.

Hillary versus Condoleeza would be an interesting and historic matchup though one the Democrats would be insane to go with. You'll definitely get more crossovers from left to right than right to left (there are more Democrats who would vote for Rice simply because she is black and hardly any Republicans who would ever vote for Clinton)

[scaeagles]

Which one's Condi Rice? All those neocons look alike to me.

Here's a hint - my hair isn't quite as dark.

[wendybeth]

I think if Cheney resigned it would be "officially" for health reasons. There is no way politically they would allow the dems to have a campaign issue such as the VP resigning due to a criminal investigation. I don't think it happens.

Sure it does! Spiro Agnew (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiro_Agnew)

:D