Cheney Says He'll Be Bush's Running Mate

AP ^ | 5-7-2003 | AP

[fieldmarshaldj]

Cheney Says He'll Be Bush's Running Mate

17 minutes ago

DALLAS - Vice President Dick Cheney has agreed to be President Bush's running mate in 2004, saying past health problems won't prevent him from being on the next presidential ticket.

"The president has asked me if I would serve again as his running mate. I've agreed to do that," he said Tuesday in an interview with The Dallas Morning News.

Cheney's position on the 2004 ticket has been the subject of heightened speculation because of his heart condition. He has had four heart attacks, though none as vice president.

"I've got a doc with me 24 hours a day who watches me very carefully," said Cheney. "If I ran into problems where I felt I couldn't serve, I'd be the first to say so and step down."

More recently, Cheney's value has been questioned because of his connection to a corporate accounting scandal. The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating accounting practices at Halliburton Co. while Cheney was its chief executive officer.

Cheney, 61, has already said he would relish a chance to join Bush for any 2004 re-election run. In November, Bush indicated he wanted his vice president to reprise his role, saying "there's no reason for me to change."

Cheney said he did not know when Bush would formally announce his candidacy.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I don't think this is much of a surprise...

[NMFXSTC]

I'm not sure I care that much for "The Invisible Man"...he's kinda like a "Where's Waldo" character...how often have we seen him since he took this position?

[Banjoguy]

It won't cost the election, but the Repubs would have been better off losing Cheney and grooming Dr. Rice for 2008.

[jokemoke]

Great News!!!!

If it ain't broke...don't fix it!

[Caipirabob]

I'm just as proud to have a nation under VP Cheney as I am a nation under President Bush. They can run together again on a ticket of "Excellence and Brilliance 2004". Good news.

[FreepForever]

Yes, Condi is more an asset to the Republicans than Cheney, who I think is more of a liability to the party. Bush/Rice is definitely a better option.

[fightinJAG]

Good!

I am confident the White House has a strategery for 2008.

[NautiNurse]

"The Invisible Man"

Trying to think of a VP who wasn't working in the shadow of a President...

[mewzilla]

And if you'd really want one who didn't...

[section9]

Yes, Condi is more an asset to the Republicans than Cheney, who I think is more of a liability to the party. Bush/Rice is definitely a better option.

Ah, but I can see why the WH would do this right now. They don't know which way Hillary is going. My hunch is that she's going to be some Empty Suit's Vice Presidential candidate. If that's the case, Cheney can come down with health problems and Condi can be moved into place to check. This will provide a bangup VP debate that will be watched as closely as the Presidential debates will.

Remember, we are over a full year until the Convention in NY. A lot can happen in that time.

Remember one thing about the Bush Administration: they operate using secrecy and surprise (and, yes, a fanatical devotion to the Pope....).

After all, what did you expect when you voted for Bush? I'm sure that none of you expected the Spanish Inquisition!

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[RobbyS]

Maybe the Roman Inquistion. The Spanish Inquisition was loyal to the Crown, not to the Pope. :-)

[LadyDoc]

Medically, the last time they were yapping about his health, I pointed out his heart was ok for 5 to 10 years.

However, as a doctor, I'd really question his health for a second term. If he does run, I suspect he will resign partway thru the term and be replaced...

[mongrel]

Rice won't be VP. They're grooming Bush III for 2008.

[Dirk McQuickly]

Condi is going to serve a much greater purpose as Governor of California.

[George W. Bush]

I'm not sure I care that much for "The Invisible Man"...he's kinda like a "Where's Waldo" character...how often have we seen him since he took this position?

We're not supposed to see him. Cheney is a return to the American tradition. You don't see the VP until he becomes president. He's an advisor and someone the party trusts to take over the party in an emergency. Cheney has done extremely well on both counts.

I like the Invisible Man thing.

[George W. Bush]

Yes, Condi is more an asset to the Republicans than Cheney, who I think is more of a liability to the party. Bush/Rice is definitely a better option.

How is Rice or Powell an asset to the party? Even with them pre-announced for their posts, the highest ever held by blacks in any administration, W.'s appeal to black voters was the lowest in a long time. Even Dole got more black votes.

And you can kiss at least half the religious right vote goodbye with any pro-abortion candidate on the ticket. And that is why pro-abortion candidates on the ticket will doom the GOP for the next twenty years or so. They simply won't vote for a ticket with a pro-abortion candidate on it.

[Libloather]

Looks like a winner...

[Susannah]

How is Rice or Powell an asset to the party? Even with them pre-announced for their posts, the highest ever held by blacks in any administration, W.'s appeal to black voters was the lowest in a long time. Even Dole got more black votes.

From other forum sites I've visited, the 'word' is that Rice and Powell are NOT representatives of blacks.

[barker]

Trying to think of a VP who wasn't working in the shadow of a President...

Gore still is. Only reason we remember him is because of the last election. Loser.

Cheney comes out of the shadows when needed, does a bang up job, and retreats again. Most of us probably would be surprised at the work he does in the background.

Noticed the article had to take a pot shot at him over Halliburton.

[areafiftyone]

Cheney has done a good job as vice president and I think works well with Bush! I will be most happy to vote for him as Bush's VP!