# Cheney in hospital **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 13, 2004, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586 "2004-11-13T19:10:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/1 "2004-11-13T19:10:00Z")
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4010175.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4010175.stm) I’m sure that everyone will wish him a speedy recovery and that it’s not his heart that’s the problem, but if it is, will he resign and who will take his place? The Electoral College hasn’t yet met, so are there ramifications there? ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/2 "2004-11-13T19:42:39Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > I’m sure that everyone will wish him a speedy recovery That’s certainly an optimistic view. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/3 "2004-11-13T19:49:42Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > That’s certainly an optimistic view. As if I didn’t know… What do you mean, **Stoid**? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/4 "2004-11-13T19:54:25Z")
I think the electoral college has a duty to elect people who will be capable of performing fully their duties. If this is serious and Cheney needs a year to coalesce or something it would be irresponsible of them to give him the job. The actual voting rules may not be vital: The most important thing would be to NOT make this occurance acrimonious or precedent setting. The Republican party, indeed Cheney himself, must have some replacement in mind. Cheney’s heart condition is no new news. OTOH, Cheney had a heart attack near the beginning of his first term. Maybe they’re good luck. 😉 ps- US government archives server is sloooow. Taking me a long time to find the voting responibilities anyway. If Cheney didn’t step down I guess the [electors from states bound by law](http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/electoral_college/laws.html) to vote as planned would have no choice? ---
**Author:** ![dqa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dqa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dqa)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/5 "2004-11-13T20:07:40Z")
I started a thread on this same topic,[Potential VP replacements](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=286437) but it posted one minute after this one. In the interest of saving everyone the trouble of checking it out, and to avoid a disservice to the members that posted over there, and because it’s short and sweet, I’m going to post the three posts that appeared over there. > [@Rillian](#): > > A second-term president who needs a vice president? Sounds like the plot of The Contender. > > I would love to see a woman in the role. What a way for Bush to burnish his legacy. > [@furt](#): > > It’d be a good job for Rice. > [@Squink](#): > > What’s Ashcroft up to these days? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/6 "2004-11-13T20:07:52Z")
Is it still morally wrong to wish death on the undead? Naw, only kidding. I hope doesn’t die. I do hope he never recovers sufficently to hold public office again, though. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/7 "2004-11-13T20:16:34Z")
Let’s be realistic: the Electoral College is not going to do anything radical. Likewise, as far as we know, Cheney is in the hospital as a precaution and is not on his deathbed or anything. What are the rules for replacing a Vice President? Does the President just choose someone? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/8 "2004-11-13T20:21:59Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Let’s be realistic: the Electoral College is not going to do anything radical. Likewise, as far as we know, Cheney is in the hospital as a precaution and is not on his deathbed or anything. > > What are the rules for replacing a Vice President? Does the President just choose someone? Well, what happened when Spiro Agnew was forced to resign? ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/9 "2004-11-13T20:29:54Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I think the electoral college has a duty to elect people who will be capable of performing fully their duties. If this is serious and Cheney needs a year to coalesce or something it would be irresponsible of them to give him the job. I would think they would have to go as planned… Bush will decide who the next VP should be (as well as The House, not the Electoral College), should something happen to the current VP. > [@](#): > > Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress. Just in case the constitutional amendments are copyrighted (wouldn’t surprise me): > **[The Twenty-Fifth Amendment: What Happens if a President Is No Longer Fit to...](https://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment25.html)** > > What happens if a president becomes ill or incapacitated? Who takes over for the Vice President if they have to step in as president? Congress tried to answer these questions with the 25th Amendment, but some questions still remain. Learn more on... Please correct me if I’m wrong, but the 25th is pretty clear, unless there’s something about the Electoral College that I’m missing (possible). ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/10 "2004-11-13T20:32:00Z")
[quote=lno] Over fifteen minutes, refreshing Google News resulted in the following sequence of headlines: “Arafat dead, say Palestinian sources” “Arafat’s vital organs still functioning, euthanasia ruled out” “Arafat up and about, smoking a cigar” “Arafat joins the undead as a high level lich” “Arafat slain by paladin” “Palestinian sources allege paladin was hired by Israel” “Arafat dead, say Palestinian sources amid confusion” …okay, so maybe only the first two and the last one were there, but this is getting somewhat surreal. From [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=284804&page=2). I don’t think Cheney is dying or anything, but I found it somewhat amusing that this is the second vague-health problems thread in less than a week. I wonder if Cheney would resign in 2006 to give a new VP a shot at a 10-year administration. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/11 "2004-11-13T20:36:39Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I do hope he never recovers sufficently to hold public office again, though. That is just wrong. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/12 "2004-11-13T20:45:21Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > [BBC NEWS | Americas | Cheney 'fine' after medical tests](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4010175.stm) > > I’m sure that everyone will wish him a speedy recovery and that it’s not his heart that’s the problem… Talk about a straight line. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/13 "2004-11-13T20:49:08Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I think the electoral college has a duty to elect people who will be capable of performing fully their duties. If this is serious and Cheney needs a year to coalesce or something it would be irresponsible of them to give him the job. “Coalesce”? What is he, a proto-star? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/14 "2004-11-13T20:54:56Z")
This was probably pre-planned. The Goppers don’t want Cheney in '08 so I’m sure they’re going to stage a resignation for “health reasons” and then appoint their next candidate. Giuliani would be a likely suspect. Powell or McCain are possibilities as well. Apart from Ahnold (who is ineligible), those are about the only Republicans left who aren’t completely repulsive as national candidates. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/15 "2004-11-13T21:02:47Z")
I wouldn’t mind seeing McCain run. ---
**Author:** ![Rashak\_Mani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rashak\_Mani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rashak_Mani)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/16 "2004-11-13T21:05:33Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I wouldn’t mind seeing McCain run. I would mind seeing McCain treated the way Powell was by the Bush cabinet… he deserves better. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/17 "2004-11-13T21:08:12Z")
> [@Rashak Mani](#): > > I would mind seeing McCain treated the way Powell was by the Bush cabinet… he deserves better. You should’ve seen the treatment McCain got when he was running against Bush for the nomination in 2000. ---
**Author:** ![Rashak\_Mani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rashak\_Mani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rashak_Mani)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/18 "2004-11-13T21:14:21Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > You should’ve seen the treatment McCain got when he was running against Bush for the nomination in 2000. This time it would last longer… ☹ Unless Bush bought it somehow. He will never let McCain make him a weak president or better dead president. McCain as president would be too good to be true… that would mean I would have to start beleiving in God ! (at the least) Still I wouldn’t wish that on someone as decent as McCain. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/19 "2004-11-13T21:20:52Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > This was probably pre-planned. The Goppers don’t want Cheney in '08 so I’m sure they’re going to stage a resignation for “health reasons” and then appoint their next candidate. Giuliani would be a likely suspect. Powell or McCain are possibilities as well. Apart from Ahnold (who is ineligible)… I disagree. While I do believe there is at least a 50/50 chance of Cheney resigning for “health reasons” sometime in the next 2 years, this is WAY too early to have been planned. Unless you mean that this is the beginning of a series of “health related problems” that will ultimately lead to his resignation. Powell would have a similar problem to Cheney, in that it is unlikely he would run for prez (too old). I hope I’m wrong about that, as I would enthusiastically vote for Powell if he were to run in '08. ---
**Author:** ![Rashak\_Mani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rashak\_Mani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rashak_Mani)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586/20 "2004-11-13T21:25:53Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Powell would have a similar problem to Cheney, in that it is unlikely he would run for prez (too old). I hope I’m wrong about that, as I would enthusiastically vote for Powell if he were to run in '08. I used to like Powell too… but in other threads about him… I lost my sympathy for him. He didn’t reign in Bush enough and the troops suffered for it. Still he was one of few moderates… and he was set to leave no ? I doubt he would put himself up in 2008… family thingy. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-in-hospital/274586.md?page=2)