Dick Cheney To Cut And Run From White House?

More Cheney will retire/resign rumors, although they're getting increasingly credible...

From the Washington Times' Insight magazine-
Cheney seen retiring after midterm elections

Vice President Dick Cheney is expected to retire within a year.

Senior GOP sources envision the retirement of Mr. Cheney in 2007, months after the congressional elections. The sources said Mr. Cheney would be persuaded to step down as he becomes an increasing political liability to President Bush...

If this happens, he would be the first criminal Vice President since Spiro Agnew not to finish out his term.

The article implies the departure would take place around December/January. Now what else will be taking place in January? The beginning of Scooter Libby's trial. And, with new evidence coming out that could implicate him, who is believed to be the ultimate target of Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation? Yep, Vice President Cheney. This White House can't afford for the President to wear his tie crooked these days, the last thing they want is to have the sitting Vice President under criminal investigation. And so, after the elections (which they need Cheney around for, if only for the sake of appearance) and before the trial, he will gracefully resign for some vague 'health' reasons. The article hints at this as well.

The speculation would then be who will replace Cheney? Some might expect an outsider, but considering the President keeps the same dozen people in his inner circle and doesn't care to know/acknowledge/promote anyone else, I think it's a safe bet the new VP would be one of the usual suspects. Anyone expecting a major shakeup will likely be disappointed once more.

My hope is that Mr. Cheney will be retiring as the new Democratic Congress is sworn in... This way, Mr. Fitzgerald won't be the only one seeking accountability for the things he and George have done to this country.

[PS- Don't worry about Mr. Cheney; I think he has a nice retirement plan set up...
NY Times: Army to Pay Halliburton Unit Most Costs Disputed by Audit]