One presidential hopeful is glaringly missing from the Republican field of candidates.
VP Dick Cheney.
Ever ask yourself why he hasn't thrown his hat into the ring?
Although he would cite his health and possibly the old standard-to spend more time with the family-a 7/5/07 survey by the American Research Group helps to vanquish any fleeting aspirations by the VP of actually donning the Presidential heavyweight belt.
* 54% of Americans favor the House of Representatives beginning impeachment proceedings against Vice President Cheney, while 40% are opposed.
With numbers like that and his own approval rating in the cellar, Mr. Bush is missing a prime opportunity (per usual) to help his party retain the executive office while appeasing the American voting public and protecting his own sorry ass.
Accept (fire) Cheney's resignation and appoint a new VP from the top tier of Republican candidates.
How Nixonian is that? Tricky Dick-toying with the idea of Spiro Agnew's resignation-had once considered appointing Treasury Secretary John Connally-a Democrat- as vice president under the provisions of the Twenty-fifth Amendment. By appealing to southern Democrats, Connally would help Nixon create a political realignment, perhaps even replacing the Republican party with a new party that could unite all conservatives. Connally turned him down, considering the VP job"useless".
Bush-rather than spend the remainder of his Presidency as an endangered angry lame ducker- could jettison-while personally grooming-a new VP straight to the forefront of the 2008 Presidential campaign.
Congress-due to the VP vacancy-would be forced to consider the appointment for confirmation, while assuming an immediate "hands off Bush" stance because-God forbid-the candidate-now the Vice President-might actually assume the Presidency, running for reelection.
Worked for Gerald Ford.
Until that tricky pardon.