Tennessee Guerilla Women: Cheney Resignation? VP Rice?

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Cheney Resignation? VP Rice?

MSM has picked up the story about Fitzgerald's focus on Cheny's role in the "unmasking" of CIA agent Valerie Plame, and rumors are flying about the imminent resignation of Cheney.

Last week, this blog and many others reported that Fitzgerald had turned his attention to Cheney. MSM picked up the story yesterday. Last night, Chris Mathews called the story "new" news.

According to U.S. News and World Report, the rumors say Cheney will resign and Condi Rice will assume the role of VP:

Sparked by today's Washington Post story that suggests Vice President Cheney's office is involved in the Plame-CIA spy link investigation, government officials and advisers passed around rumors that the vice president might step aside and that President Bush would elevate Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"It's certainly an interesting but I still think highly doubtful scenario," said a Bush insider. "And if that should happen," added the official, "there will undoubtedly be those who believe the whole thing was orchestrated – another brilliant Machiavellian move by the VP."

Said another Bush associate of the rumor, "Yes. This is not good." The rumor spread so fast that some Republicans by late morning were already drawing up reasons why Rice couldn't get the job or run for president in 2008.

"Isn't she pro-choice?" asked a key Senate Republican aide.

The WaPo notes that we are all on the edge of our seats awaiting the news of possible indictments.

It is not clear whether Fitzgerald plans to charge anyone inside the Bush administration with a crime. But with the case reaching a climax -- administration officials are braced for possible indictments as early as this week-- it is increasingly clear that Cheney and his aides have been deeply enmeshed in events surrounding the Plame affair from the outset.