Those who live by the sword, die by the sword

Hot tip - Cheney is already on the way out the door and he knows it. When he told Senator Leahy to go F#@& himself, then refused to apologize for it, Cheney already knew he wont be on the Bush 04 ticket. When he insisted recently that there were still WMDs in Iraq, and that Saddam really was linked with Al-Quaeda, Cheney knew he would never have to back up his claims.

At 63 years of age, the unappealing Cheney has already had four heart attacks and quadruple bypass surgery. He is being taken to court in France for his Halliburton scandals. He's up to his neck in a stream of other unpopular new policies and assorted scandals. And he was publicly booed at Yankee stadium on June 30th! Back in the 2000 election he was supposed to be the wise old head that would help keep the inexperienced young George W out of trouble! But now he is a serious liability.

The Bush team is now just waiting for the right time to make the announcement. It needs to be a carefully choreographed handover to a more popular VP candidate, and it needs to look like Cheney has serious medical reasons for standing down (otherwise he will look guilty of taking the money and running).

The Bush team may also be taking some time to line up a running mate - how about Condi Rice, for example? Hmmn, probably too much baggage... But who in the Bush team hasn't got baggage these days?

Colin Powell looks the most likely candidate, but his wife didn't want him to run for President in 2000 and - given his frequent disagreements with the Bush team - he may not be willing to accept anything other than the top job now. John McCain, who was publicly wooed by Kerry before Edwards got the nod, is also a strong possibility. Both would bring some much-needed credibility to the Bush 04 platform, but both would demand major concessions as well.