Russert on NBC Today: Why B*sh will keep Cheney as VP

[npincus]

in spite of the ever-growing stink surrounding him.

Russert said that B*sh's approval which is around "30 percent" is holding steady because it's "his base", and that base loves Cheney, therefore he will NOT ask him to resign, or accept a resignation. If Chimp cans Cheney, the bottom drops out from his dismal approval numbers and he really will be standing alone with Barney and Laura.

Also, Russert said that a Dem controlled congress would participate in the selection of Cheney's replacement- that's correct?

[emulatorloo]

1. as support for this -- Per Gallup, "70% of Republicans approve of Bush's job performance"

(same poll shows his overall approval rating @ 33%)

http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=26794

[AX10]

2. Fine then.

Cheney will help pull this administration down.

[Phredicles]

3. "congress would participate in the selection of Cheney's replacement"

Well, a replacement would have to be confirmed in the senate. So normally you'd think there'd be some consultation about which prospects would be acceptable. But I can't believe even a flunkie like Russert thinks The Decider would ever deign to operate in that manner.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

8. Confirmed by both houses of Congress.

See Amendment XXV.

[Blackhatjack]

4. The tipping point always comes when Cheney is more of a liability than an asset...

As corruption continues to be publicly exposed, and Cheney's fingerprints are identified as being on all of it, Cheney will become more of a liability to Bush than an asset.

Bush's advisors know this, and I am sure they are counselling him to jettison Cheney sooner rather than later --and as the CHeney corruption comes out, Bush will feign lack of knowledge like everyone else.

If Cheney hangs around and all this comes out while he is still VP, deniability becomes impossible for Bush. Have we reached this point yet? Who knows. But it is a long time till the end of Bush's term.

[Frustratedlady]

5. Once again, what's good for Bush, not what's good for the country.

Every decision is made solely on politics. I am SO sick of it all. Whatever happened to those who stood for what was right, not what was comfortable or easy?

[gratuitous]

6. Pumpkinhead has spoken; so mote it be

And Timmeh has given as broad a signal as possible to his pals in the White House: "Come on my show, and you'll get a nice, thorough massage. Happy ending is your choice."

[TwilightGardener]

7. Leave Cheney there...please...

[stevedeshazer]

9. That makes no sense, since Cheney's approval is 18-20% n/t

[npincus]

15. true, among the general population

as B*sh's is only about 10 points higher in the general population. But, Cheney's approval is much higher in the rabid base that has kept Chimpy steadly afloat in the low-thirties, high-twenties.

B*sh 41's lowest was 28% (Gallup) and assume B8sh is terrified of dipping lower than that.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

10. Both houses of Congress would have to approve a new VP

Per the 25th Amendment.

[Bob3]

11. he will not fire Cheney becasue Cheney told him not to

that's pretty much the begining and end of the story - you really think that boob has anything to do with policy? - he's in charge of the Rug in oval office - which is why he talks about it so much - much more than that.

[peekaloo]

12. Didn't Bu$h defend both Rumsfeld and Cheney prior to the 2006 mid-terms?

Stating they would both remain in their positions for the duration of his pResidency?

Cheney's a tougher turd to flush but they'll have to blame someone, eventually, for all little Georgie's missteps. Ya know, his "legacy" and all that.

[Johonny]

13. Won't fire him

cause he doesn't have the guts to.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

19. Constitutionally, Dead Eye can't be fired. He is elected. So unless

Dead Eye decides to take a hike since he has bilked every last dime he possibly can out of the treasury and corporate buddies, he is there to stay. He might decide to resign but he can't be fired. I say hang him around Chucklenuts and The Cabal and the Republics neck and never ever let them separate.

[GeorgeGist]

14. But will Cheney...

keep Bush as P?

[Sydnie]

16. I disagree with Timmy

He might lose the base for a day or two, but his numbers would soar among those that want to see Cheney go. Getting rid of Cheney might be the very thing that could save his illusive, damaged legacy!

[Ganja Ninja]

17. For one thing he doesn't have any choice in the matter.

Cheney doesn't answer to him and he can't be fired by him. Secondly he's not prone to admitting wrong doing by himself or anybody in his administration.

[Nikki Stone1]

18. Hard to remove the guy pulling the strings, I guess

Wonder what Poppy is thinking...