Delegate Survey: Powell, Giuliani Among Top Potential Veep Choices if Che

[hang a left]

AP Delegate Survey: Powell, Giuliani Among Top Potential Veep Choices if Cheney Steps Aside

Vice President Dick Cheney acknowledges the crowd during a campaign stop Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004, in Pottsville, Pa. (AP Photo/Bradley C Bower)
08-26-2004 12:00 PM
By GENARO C. ARMAS, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON -- More than half the delegates to next week's Republican National Convention were willing to suggest a new running mate for President Bush if Dick Cheney leaves the ticket, an Associated Press survey found.

Secretary of State Colin Powell and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani top the list. But the president's support of Cheney remains bedrock _ and no delegates said outright they wanted to get rid of him, even as a few spoke wistfully of other names.

Most interviews occurred before Cheney's comments Tuesday about his opposition to President Bush's call for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, remarks that produce an outcry among social conservatives in his party.

Roughly 9 percent of delegates named Powell, who spurned Bush's vice presidential overtures in 2000. That was slightly ahead of Giuliani, considered a potential 2008 presidential candidate.

http://sandiego.cox.net/cci/newsnational/national?_mode=view&_state=maximized&view=article&id=D84N36G81

[tandot]

1. It seems they now have a good excuse to get rid of Cheney?

he is opposing Bush with the FMA and spoke out in support of States' rights to decide the issue.

[BlueEyedSon]

2. I smell... setup!

[Borgnine]

3. Could this be how they do it?

Cheney says he supports states' rights concerning gay marriage. This creates a "rift" between Bush and Cheney, disassociating the Chimp from the generally disliked Cheney in the public's mind. Bush then drops Cheney for someone like Giuliani or McCain.

Of course, Cheney would still be in control from his undisclosed cavernous lair.

[tandot]

6. Giuliani is pro-choice and I think pro-gay rights

he can't pick him.

He has to pick someone who is pleasing both the right-wing fundies and the moderates.

[LostInAnomie]

4. They'll never pick Giuliani

He doesn't meet their litmus test for hating gays and wanting to put women who have abortions to death.

Anything less would splinter their base.

[rkc3]

5. Have the press forgotten the 2000 campaign?

Most everyone I knew who voted for bush considered him an idiot - but still voted for him because cheney had brains to spare. I also think there were a number of republican politicians who shared the same sentiment.

I get a kick out of pointing this out to repubs at home and in the office who have shared their thoughts regarding cheney's departure.

[Reciprocity]

7. Potential Veep Choices

"Most interviews occurred before Cheney's comments Tuesday about his opposition to President Bush's call for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, remarks that produce an outcry among social conservatives in his party."

Wow we were discussing this yesterday on my Softening Dick thread.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x669945

[lottie244]

8. Giuliani and "family values?" I don't think so......

Far too many skeletons in Rudi's closet...and I mean MANY!!

[IndianaGreen]

9. I think the GOP is planting stories depicting the party as inclusive

when their platform, and the Bush/Cheny policies, show that they are anything but.

If Cheney were to drop dead of a heart attack tomorrow, the Convention would nominate someone like Tom DeLay, or (gasp!) Newt Gingrich.

By the life of me, I cannot understand why the Log Cabin Society is supporting the GOP ticket. Someone said that this is like having Chickens for Colonel Sanders.

[Name removed]

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[Moderator]

11. Kick