Vice President Cheney hospitalized

[Winston]

cnn.com reports as 'Breaking News':

"Vice President Dick Cheney hospitalized at George Washington University hospital this morning with shortness of breath, White House says."

No further information is given at this point.

Just last night I watched his speech at the Heritage Foundation on January 4, on the situation in Afghanistan and in Iraq, and he seemed fine and alert on that occasion.

Hope it's not too serious.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Doesn't sound like it:

The problem is believed to be associated with medicine Cheney is taking for a foot problem.

"His doctors found that his EKG was unchanged and determined that he was retaining fluid as a result of anti-inflammatory medication he has been taking for a foot problem," a statement from Cheney's office said. "They have placed him on a diuretic and he is expected to return home later today."

[Provost Harrison]

Where his horns making his forehead sore?

[Agathon]

So it's not serious... shame.

[alva]

[Elok]

Well, if he (theoretically) cacked it, the speaker of the house would take over his position, right? Hastert might be in trouble due to Abramoff, it seems...I forget who comes after that. If it's SML, DeLay's definitely out. I think the minority leader's implicated by Abramoff too.

[MikeH]

Originally posted by Agathon
So it's not serious... shame.

[Pekka]

our papers say they already let him go earlier today. So nothing very serious. But yet another indicator he is having some health problems.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Agathon
So it's not serious... shame.

I'm opposed to Bush and his fellas, but I still can't bring myself to wish death or terminal illness on any of them.

[MikeH]

Not terminal, just enough to make him retire.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Elok
Well, if he (theoretically) cacked it, the speaker of the house would take over his position, right? Hastert might be in trouble due to Abramoff, it seems...I forget who comes after that. If it's SML, DeLay's definitely out. I think the minority leader's implicated by Abramoff too.

No, the President can nominate whomever to be the new VP.

[Gatekeeper]

Hmm ... he's had four heart attacks, a triple (or was it quadruple?) heart bypass, the arteries behind his knees are going to hell ... just how long is it going to be before they need to put him in a Darth Vader-like suit just to maintain his critical life support functions?

Gatekeeper

[alva]

Trying to steal Sharon's thunder.

[Sava]

Originally posted by MrFun



I'm opposed to Bush and his fellas, but I still can't bring myself to wish death or terminal illness on any of them.

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by MrFun



I'm opposed to Bush and his fellas, but I still can't bring myself to wish death or terminal illness on any of them.

Certainly didn't wish bad health on Clinton/Gore, as annoying as they were.

As Kuci said, the VP post doesn't automatically go to anyone - only President does. HOWEVER, Hastert would become president if both Bush and Cheney died quickly enough that a new VP couldn't be nominated. After him IIRC come the cabinet secretaries, and somewhere in there is the President Pro Tempore of the Senate (possibly after Speaker of the House, I forget)