So Sally Quin has this idea ...
A group of party elders, led by Sen. John Warner of Virginia," should approach Bush and ask him to, "install a vice president who could beat the Democratic nominee in 2008."
She believes Fred Thompson is the obvious Cheney replacement, because:
Everybody loves Fred. He has the healing qualities of Gerald Ford and the movie-star appeal of Ronald Reagan. He is relatively moderate on social issues. He has a reputation as a peacemaker and a compromiser. And he has a good sense of humor.
He could be just the partner to bring out Bush's better nature -- or at least be a sensible voice of reason. I could easily imagine him telling the president, "For God's sake, do not push that button!" -- a command I have a hard time hearing Cheney give.
Too obvious, right? Here's how it plays out:
Cheney is scheduled this summer for surgery to replace his pacemaker, which needs new batteries. So if the president is willing, and Republicans are able, they have a convenient reason to replace him: doctor's orders. And I'm sure the the vice president would also like to spend more time with his ever-expanding family.
This is pure fantasy, of course. However, Bush might have made a move like this a year or two ago ...
