WI death by pretzel?

Nah, there'd be an important difference: Being shot is a tragical death. Suffocate because of a pretzel is ridicilous. Democrats would joke about this for decades.

If he'd died I don't know if the pretzel would be officially confirmed. Something sufficiently anodyne would be released that didn't make him look eligible for a Darwin Award.
 
What if Cheney pleads poor health and volunteers to remain as VP and the Speaker of the house (I think) is the new President.

I do not think he had that option. He could resign quickly. He could appoint a VP and then resign but otherwise he becomes President on a President's death.
 
Interesting, so upon Cheney becoming the Presidnt, what are the chances of him appointing Powell to VP...And after refusing the nomination the party elders finally are able to convine Powell to run as President in 04'. How the Democrats fare against him in the 04 elections, and who would be chosen to run against him...

This is a very good POD btw, It would almost 6 and a half years after the "untimely" death of Bush, please discuss:D
 
By this point, even if the right refutes the claim the phrases 'George W. Bush' and 'complete moron' are well linked in the public psyche.

If it gets out that he choked on a pretzel, he will be a total laughing stock. This could also taint the rest of his administration.

The cynic in me would suggest that a cover-up would be used - 'respiratory failure', or 'choking to death'. I don't know how ths would pan out, or the consequences of such a deception being exposed...
 
well if Cheney is President i think that one of three people who he'd pug to be Vice President

Colin Powell: on the upside the American People trust Powell, he's popular a good 2004/8 candidate he's also smart and experienced downside is he's his own man not something thats highly thought of by Bush-Cheney

Condoleezza Rice: she has most of the positives of Powell and is very loyal, she's also not so well known so she won't out shine Cheney, she's also a lot younger and healthier then Cheney, which will help the public except the old man as President

Donald Rumsfeld: him and Cheney go way back, he's some one Cheney can trust absolutely. Cheney got Rumsfeld his job as Secretary of Defense in Bush's white house, Cheney used to be Rumsfeld's protege back when he was Chief of Staff
 
As has been stated before, Bush would be remembered much more fondly, perhaps even idealized into a JFK like figure. Cheney would continue on tthe same course as we did OTL, and, barring any major changes, would probably not run in 04, due to his crushing lack of charisma. Perhaps McCain would run against Kerry, or another democratic nominee? I don't really know who would win in such a matchup, but I'd wager McCain.
 
Against Kerry? I doubt it. Kerry's whole campaign can basically be summed up as: "Hey everybody, my name isn't George W. Bush! Vote for me!". Obviously we knew he wasn't Bush. What we could never figure out was who exactly John Kerry was.

With Bush dead, such a campaign slogan would be even more ineffective. If they want to win, the Democratic Party will need a real candidate. Perhaps Howard Dean? Assuming his wacko scream was butterflied away...
 
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