I am not one given to outlandish predictions but......

[Perky]

As I objectively look at the horrendous situation in Iraq and as I look at the precursors for the prisoner abuse:

I think you are going to see the Bush Administration in a very defensive posture between now and the convention. I suspect,,,,outlandish as it may seem that there will be some clamor for a better standard bearer. It will come from folks like Buchanan and Buckley, Safire and Novak.

They will question the President's moral authority to lead.

* will most certainly withstand the onslaught but in the run-up to the nominating convention will be forced to reach out in desperation to latch on to the middle.

My guess is the Bill Cohen will be brought in to replace Rumsfeld in a matter of weeks. and it would not surprise me to see Cheney dropped from the ticket. Largely because he can't deliver a state and add no real value.

Cohen would be a nod to moderates but Ms. Whitman might emerge as a possibility as well.

Oh....and Gonzales just lost his shot at the High Court.

[Shopaholic]

1. Doubtful

Cheney and Rumsfeld are the "adults" in this administration. * might could do without one of them but no way can he do without both of them. They run the show.

[Perky]

3. haha

I don't disgree...but that is precisely the problem that He is going to have to condront... Cheney and Rumsfeld are running the show. It makes * look bad to neocons and to modertates.

He has to come across as being in charge without ever appearing that he wasn't.

Unless he jettisons both he has no chance.

[Alerter_]

12. is Cohen a Neo-Con too?

Is this the kinder, gentler face of the Neo Cons?

[July]

2. What I'm enjoying:

Bush and pals have been on the defensive for weeks.

[PDittie]

4. Nobody has the stones to try to push out Cheney

Not even Rove.

As bad as he is, Cheney isn't the problem anyway. * is the problem.

Cheney's going nowhere.

This is a good thing.

[Perky]

5. Karl Rove has the stones.

Cheney buys Bush nada in November.

[Gothmog]

6. I agree that Gonzales will not be a SC Justice

The memo on the Geneva Convention was actually released over a year ago but has become very relevant due to the torture scandal. There is no way that Gonzales could get confirmed unless the Frist uses the Nuclear option to cut off a filibuster.

[BeFree]

7. Not outlandish at all...

Now this, this is outlandish, served to you on the top of an Iraq baked hard place and a true blooded American rock.

G*B will not even run again!!

Just like the last Texas resident of our Whitehouse, this one will also, with a heavy heart, decline the nomination of his party.

There'll be dancing in the streets! (well, that part is not outlandish, at all, eh?)

[Perky]

10. Too Outlandish!!

Who would be the standard bearer? How would he be nominated at this point?

The only Republican who would make sense is McCain.

[Zen Democrat]

13. No way Bush is off the ticket

The conservatives despise McCain. The Christian Right-Wingers are solid for Georgie Boy. They don't care about torture or jobs or deficits -- these people are told in their churches Sunday after Sunday that God put George in the White House. Millions of misguided will vote for W because "he's a Christian" -- meaning he's their definition of Christian. These people think "Christian" means cutting taxes on the wealthy and starving the poor, health care for the wealthy and advantaged working only, killing followers of Islam, bringing down affirmative action, and barring gay and lesbian rights. In other words, these people don't know a damn thing about Christianity. They are brainwashed dupes. They will vote for George - but not McCain -- nor Giuliani.

As to Bill Cohen, he's a moderate and has a mixed race marriage. You think the Repukes will go for him? No chance.

No friends, it's Bush and Cheney we're going up against. And I'm ready for the fight.

[Jane Eyre]

8. George Will has already chimed in

On last week's "This Week in Washington", George Will not only agreed that violating the Geneva Conventions is a very bad thing to do, but added that violating the Geneva Conventions is tantamount to violating US law because the United States is a signatory to that treaty.

There are some conservatives who have half a brain, and even these halfwits know when something is wrong.

I think that there is more to come out on this, and I think that evidence will begin to emerge that Bush knew about the prison abuse from the start. I think that Rumsfeld may be dumped, but only after the pressure builds past the point of no return and it will be seen as a loss for Bush. Bush will be on the ticket, however.

[Eric J in MN]

9. The Bush Adminsistration doesn't make anyone resign (nt)

nt

[Cleita]

11. Would you be going so far out on a limb to say that some Republicans

might try to draft another candidate than Bush himself? I know if I were a Repuke, I would be giving it serious consideration, and if I were an ambitious Repuke, I might try to get caucus behind me to draft me as Presidential candidate. It's never been done before that I know of, but there are so many things with this administration that has never been done before that I can believe it could happen.

[Terran]

14. Ah, but Cheney does add value...

He's the one running things, after all.

[kentuck]

15. They go negative on Kerry....

real negative...

[saracat]

16. Bill Cohen????

And what , admit Clinton did something right????You've got to be kidding!