my vote!!!!
Posted on 05/15/2009 1:18:55 PM PDT by lewisglad
The former vice president's current media blitz begs a question: could he actually be planning a presidential run? Here are 8 signs you might be seeing "Cheney 2012."
Dick Cheney has always insisted he never wanted George W. Bush’s job. Seems unlikely he’d jump into the 2012 presidential fray, right? Not so fast. Cheney has been appearing on television with a frequency typically reserved for presidential aspirants, and if history is any guide (he selected himself for vice president in 2000), humility won't hinder him. Could he be gearing up for a run? Stranger things have happened—Richard Nixon, for example, was Cheney’s equal in provoking liberal ire, and it was eight years between his vice presidency and his presidential win in 1968. The Daily Beast gathers eight clues that Cheney—and his doggedly loyal supporters—are paving the way for his presidential run in 2012.
1. The media blitz
At this point, someone should just give him his own show. The former vice president has been carpet-bombing network news, taking to the airwaves to criticize President Obama every chance he gets. In the past few weeks, he’s spoken with Sean Hannity, Neil Cavuto, Bob Schaeffer, and radio host Scott Hennen. He’s also scheduled to give a major address to the American Enterprise Institute next week. The thrust of his message? “Obama is making us less safe.” It seems like we should expect more of Cheney, not less. “I'm not trying to start any rumors,” wrote Steve Benen at Washington Monthly, “but Cheney is certainly acting like a guy who plans to run for something. He's doing lots of media interviews, cultivating his connection with Limbaugh, attacking the president, and giving at least one speech at a major conservative think tank about his vision for the future.”
2. His old fans are coming out of the woodwork
The New York Sun's editors love Dick Cheney so much that they recently brought their deceased publication briefly back to life, apparently just to praise the idea of a presidential run by the former VP. An infamous Sun editorial in 2007 suggested Cheney run in 2008. And though that didn’t happen, the paper printed a reprise of said editorial last month on its previously defunct Web site, arguing that it made the right call at the time. "Our own view is that Mr. Cheney just might have beaten Mr. Obama, particularly if he had broken with Mr. Bush on the bailout of the banks and the seizure of AIG and Fannie Mae, actions that both Messrs. McCain and Obama backed.” And while the Sun stopped short of endorsing Cheney for 2012, writing instead that "a new generation of leaders" was needed, famed neocon Bill Kristol went all the way this week on his Weekly Standard blog, writing, "Of course, everyone’s first choice for president in 2012 is Dick Cheney." Given his close ties to the Bush administration, it is at least somewhat possible he wasn't being sarcastic.
3. He hasn’t said he’s not running for president
OK, that may not be enough to convince a jury of his peers, but as far as these things go, you’re in it until you say you’re not.
4. There could be a Bush on the ticket
They wouldn’t even have to print new bumper stickers. Speaking about former Florida Governor Jeb Bush on (no surprise) Fox News, Cheney said, “I like Jeb. I think he's a good man. I'd like to see him continue to stay involved politically.” He added, “I'd probably support him for president.” Does Cheney think his best shot would be to hitch his wagon to a Bush’s star, or perhaps, more sinisterly, does he realize the only name less popular than his own—and therefore the easiest to beat in a primary—is Bush?
5. Republicans are too scared to tell him not to
Would you want to stand in Cheney’s way? In a Washington Post article about Republicans’ uneasiness over Cheney’s attacks on the Obama administration, not a single critic would go on the record. “Cheney remains powerful enough that most of his GOP critics are not willing to take him on in public,” the Post wrote. "The fact that most people want to talk [not-for-attribution] shows what a problem it continues to be," said one Republican strategist who talked not-for-attribution. "Cheney continues to be a force among many members of our base, and no one has the standing to show him the door."
6. He’s younger than John McCain
That’s right. Despite his four heart attacks (the first one suffered at age 37) and his geezerly stoop (complete with an inauguration stint in a wheelchair), the former vice president is only 68 years old—four years younger than John McCain. And come 2012, he would be 72, the same age McCain was in 2008.
7. He’s chosen himself before
In 2000, Dick Cheney was appointed to the head of George W. Bush’s vice-presidential search committee. After surveying the field, he chose himself. Over the last eight years, his self-regard has only grown. Which could mean he’s in line to give himself a promotion.
8. It’d probably go better than last time
It’s true that he still lacks a particularly large base of support, but after eight years as vice president, it must be somewhat bigger, right? And, now that he swims in the deep end, he’s shed some of the baggage that prevented his campaign from taking off in 1996. "You have to be a little bit crazy to run for president," Bill Kristol theorized at the time, "and Dick Cheney is a very sane man."
I don’t see it happening. I thought he had mentioned years ago that his heart problems would not allow him to do so.
BS
my vote!!!!
Reminds me of the old “Dick, Jane and Sally” readers from the 1950s. “Look, look. See Dick. See Dick run.” (For those younger than 55 or so, this has nothing to do with venereal disease.)
Nope
Not gonna happen.
if he didnt do it in 2008 he cant do it now....what with his heart and his age in 2012.
I like # 7.
As much as I would love to see this happen, this article is nothing more than an attempt to impugn Cheney’s motives for speaking up for America, by making readers think that he is just another pol trying to showboat.
It won’t work.
Which Cheney?
The need someone to hate, so they cycle through Rush, Cheney and Palin...
I agree. Not with a Bush on the ticket. Now, if he picked Sarah Palin, he might have a chance.
in retrospect he would have been good in 2008. The ticket needed someone to defend the last 8 years not someone who would run from them and pretend as though he had nothing to do with it though he is was apart of the same party
from your lips to G*d’s ear...with Karl Rove as VP.
Cheney would have been the best president since Reagan.
Too bad it didn’t happen. But it won’t happen now.
Palin-Cheney 2012??? I like it!!!!
The Demorats have so thouroughly demonized Chaney that I can’t conceive of him being nominated by the Republicans and, if nominated, defeating the anointed one; that is, unless something disastrous befalls the country before 2012. Come to think of it, something already has with the election of “The One.”
Liz Cheney 2012!
Why would any real conservative want to show Cheney the door? If anything we have our doors and windows wide open breathing a major sigh of relief and gratitude to see and hear a real conservative speak the truth and joy at seeing a politician that has the stones and always has.
Sorry, no more Rove and his support of amnesty & RINOs.
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