The Trouble With Thompson

Whether you've felt concerned, nauseous, or vindicated by the Washington Post's series on the Cheney Presidency, Sally Quinn has a scenario that is sure to keep you up at night: a GOP revolt leading to Vice President Thompson.

No, not Tommy Thompson. Fred Thompson. Just as I'm sure right wing attacks on John Edwards are due in part to their fear of him as the Democratic nominee, I am sure that Democrats all over with half a brain are getting The Fear about Fred Thompson. Not because of what he is, necessarily, but rather because of what he could be.

Now, there is a valid argument in any discussion of a supposed GOP plot to remove Cheney from office that Cheney is simply too powerful and that he wouldn't allow it happen. This is a possibility, and one that I don't think people lend enough credence to. That being said, Cheney's power (along with that of the rest of the White House) is precariously balanced these days, and even a Cheney more mighty than we are imagining might be vulnerable to strident, unified public opinion and a GOP congressional leader with some serious wrangling skills.

Cheney's and the administration's problem may not necessarily be their power hoarding. Rather, it may turn out to be their sloppiness, which is no doubt caused by a fundamental lack of respect for protocol or for those that would exercise oversight on their activities. I have previously described Henry Waxman as "being on a tear," but I don't think that's accurate. Henry Waxman is doing his job, and the evidence of White House problems, malfeasance, and contempt for law simply keeps piling up.

So, if Cheney gets the boot, maybe some of the blame for many of the bad decisions over the last 6 years gets laid at his feet. After all, he was The Actual Decider, right? So, according to Quinn's musing, Bush appoints Thompson, and then they all hit Step 3: Profit.

This is where the dream falls apart, though. Thompson would have to be confirmed by both the House and the Senate. The Senate is iffy — as a presidential candidate in the Senate, would you vote for Fred? — but the House would be a really tough row to hoe. If there's a GOP plot to get rid of Cheney, it must have some other aim than this, or at least some other candidate in mind — the kind of replacement with little ambition, who will keep to himself, be happy for the opportunity, and stay out of trouble.

So yes, the Washington Post has confirmed most of our worst fears about Bush and Cheney's relationship. But Sally Quinn's proposal of a move to crown Thompson is just a little far-fetched. Not because it isn't a good idea for the GOP, but rather because there are too many variables and people in play for the ploy to have any chance of working.