BUSH/RICE in 2004!
Posted on 07/13/2004 8:44:20 PM PDT by Utah Girl
There is really only one way that President Bush can break the electoral stalemate that threatens to divide the nation evenly in the election of 2004: He can put Colin Powell on his ticket for vice president and ask Vice President Dick Cheney to become secretary of State.
Cheney, who deserves the nation’s thanks for his strong leadership during the war on terror, can best help his boss by encouraging him to reshape his ticket in such a way as to put victory within his grasp. The first vice president since Sen. Alben Barkley (D-Ky.) to take office devoid of presidential ambition, Cheney has served his nation well. As secretary of state, he would continue to lend a guiding hand to our foreign policy and the critical negotiations that loom with Iran and North Korea.
It is not so much the Edwards candidacy that must impel a Powell nomination. But Bush, Cheney and the other leaders of the Republican Party must grasp that the Democratic Party’s growing strength is largely the product of its demographic lock.
With African-Americans casting 12 percent of the vote in high turnout years and splitting 8-1 in favor of the Democrats, Bush and any Republican find themselves in a close battle just to break even. The Hispanic-American vote, closing in on 12 percent as well, adds to the GOP conundrum by breaking 2-1 for the Democrats.
A Powell candidacy would smash that Democratic stranglehold on our electoral math. The popular former general would stand to improve the Republican Party’s standing with both minorities, likely cutting the Democratic margin among blacks to a more reasonable size and increasing the GOP’s appeal to Hispanics as well.
The designation of Colin Powell would be widely popular among white voters, too. His rags-to-riches story, his humble roots, and his public and private integrity will appeal to voters across the racial and partisan divides. If Bush wins and Powell becomes vice president, imagine the impact on the futures all the black children in America when they can look up and see an African-American in the second highest position in our nation.
While Cheney has lent his considerable skill to the effective and dramatic American response to Sept. 11, he does not bring George Bush a single vote he would not otherwise have had. His presence on the ticket carries no state and only reinforces the already solid Republican right for the president. Indeed, Bush is just as popular as his vice president is among his core loyalists. Were Cheney to remain in the administration as secretary of state, he would do as much as he does now to reassure people about where Bush’s heart really lies.
In 1992, Cheney was vital to Bush’s success. His gray hairs were needed and his Washington experience of value to the new president who lacked both. But now that Bush’s coiffure has acquired more than a tint of gray — as has every president’s after four years in that miserable job — and he has mastered the ways of the Capital, Cheney’s presence on the ticket is no longer of any political value.
Would Powell accept a proffer of the vice presidency? He has never turned down a request by his nation to serve in his life and is unlikely to start now. The premium he places on service to his country is old-fashioned and refreshing. The ethic he embodies of selfless service to his nation and to its presidents of either party, above politics and personal ambition, casts one’s memory back to earlier generals who stood by their country in peace and in war — George Marshall if not George Washington himself.
Bush needs to shake things up to avoid a cliffhanger election in 2004. He has got to alter dramatically the political landscape as a Powell designation would surely do.
BUSH/RICE in 2004!
If Morris thinks he should switch with Powell, then I am vindicated in my belief that he should stay, and prove that OUR President is loyal, says what he does and does what he says. Morris is just too used to politicians who change themselves for the sake of seeking poll approval. When will he learn that principles and leadership just do not lend themselves to following polls, like some lemming-like former executives who shall remain nameless?
I simply ADORE our VP and would be highly ticked to see him cast aside, with or without any little artifice of a medical "incident". So, when ARE we going to see the walking cadaver's post-cancer records? Especially with smoochy John-boy on the Dim ticket? And I think he's pretty good insurance against the Dims making an effort to impeach the President; if successful, they'll get the man they consider to be evil incarnate, lol!
This is just Dick Morris drivel.
Cheney is a strong VP and the world knows it.
I would rather lose with Cheney than win with Powell.
In the end, the people only vote for the president. It really doesn't matter.
Powell not born in U.S.? If so, the media would have a field day if Bush selected him. Is this the trap they're hoping Bush will fall for? Heard Powells' birth mentioned on Mike R. one time. He didn't dispute it, but seemed to think it could be gotten (?) around. How, I have no idea.
First of all President Bush is a loyal man and will not replace VP Cheney. Secondly, Bush and Powell, I think, don't really get along that well. If Bush is reelected, Condi Rice may be the new Sec. State. Finally, if Powell - a prochoicer - was placed in as a VP candidate, the religious base of the republican party would stay home and not vote.
Short and sweet, and right.
The only reason I support GW is his unwillingness to sacrifice what is right for political reasons. If this country can't vote for Bush/Cheney then it deserves Kerry/Edwards. McCain or Powell are NOT who I want to be in line for the presidency in any way shape or form.
Dick Morris should just keep to sucking toes and get out of politics. Can't stand the jerk and switch channels whenever he is on.
The campaign isn't failing. If Bush dropped Cheney and chose Powell, Rice or McCain he'd lose the election. Conservatives would stay home in droves. The ticket is solid.
Gee, I hope you didn't waste all your A-list pundit material on your first forum post.
Just noticed.
"realisticrepublican
Since Jul 14, 2004"
I'm pretty sure team Bush doesn't need morris's advice.
Then he will be clobbered. Bush is not going to dump Cheney. It would be against his entire history to do so.
What are you smoking? Pres. Bush has a lock on the electoral votes W/O Pa. He will not win PA with or without morris's ideas as he wins the election.
I'm not sure how Vice Presidential Powell can be. Would he be able to tell a Senator to go F himself?
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