Could happen as you say and it would be a good thing. However GW's reputation for loyalty might be a more important factor, unless they had an understanding from the beginning. Cheney's been doing some heavy lifting and taking the heat for it.

When it comes to speaking for this administration there is no one more articulate or logical and I would miss him sorely for that aspect of his considerable contribution, but that is always something he could continue privately.

I like the man and would have voted for him had he run in the 2000 primary against GW. However, I've been happily impressed by GW's performance in office. He was and is the man for the times.

That aside, I would hope history treats Cheney well, whatever happens in 2004. He's a patriot of the first order.

My usual reaction to these headlines is 'HUH??'.

They've been unable to get the crap they are flinging to stick to W. The Plame affair is flaming out, so Karl Rove isn't going to take a perp walk out of the White House.

This sounds like another media scalp hunt.

I do not see Cheney as "damaged goods" by any means. While there is presently no political necessity to replace him, he is up in years, and if he wants to retire . . . say hello to the next Vice-President of the United States, Doctor Condoleeza Rice!

I'm all for Condi for VP, but c'mon. Grasping at straws is a better plan than relying on the LA Times reporting unattributed rumors from the State Department. Bin Laden has more of a chance of lobbying the President to get rid of Cheney than State does. Frankly, not being liked by State ought to be a prerequisite for running for VP.

Their other argument is that Cheney has failed to get the President's agenda through Congress. I know you don't believe that.

David:

By baked in the cake I was suggesting--though elliptically--that the deal was always that Cheney provided adult supervision to allay fears in the first term but then W picks his own successor for the 2nd term.

Of course, it's also been reported that Ms. Rice's dream job is commissioner of the NFL.

Look, when W actually stands up there on the convention podium holding Condi's hand up in the air and basking in the cheers of the Republican faithful, I'll believe those rumors. Until then, I'm going to put it down as so much moonshine and wish-fulfillment by Cheney-haters.

Much as I admire Ms. Rice, and much as I think her selection would give the Dems fits, she is closely associated with the WMD intelligence questions and the infamous "16 Words". Which may,of course, be water under the dam by then.

There's nothing that says that being a (former) Vice President makes one ineligible to be promoted to NFL commissioner. And she'd be dealing with adults for once, too.

What about former President? Presumably Bush will pick someone (should Cheney bow out) who could ably succeed him? I think Rice could do it in a heartbeat. Are the rest of the red states up for it? I don't know.

Are we making bets?

Sure. I'll bet that Dick Cheney is not on the ticket.

Orrin, you're smart but I think you'd lose that one.

Tom, it's over the dam. I think. Or over the bridge?