Pure speculation: Plan C

If Bush keeps spiraling downward and looks likely to lose the election, he could be replaced as a candidate. Remember, the Repug convention is late so they have extra time.

First, engineer a final public misdeed extensively covered by the media (for a change). Bush suddently becomes the Bad Guy, and with some arcane party rules and legal shenanigans the GOP finds a way to disregard the primaries and draft someone else at he convention. Let's say a John McCain infused with patriotic righteousness, with a contrite but principled Colin Powell as running mate. Republicans in Congress will force the resignations of a few sacrifical lambs (so Republican governors can appoint their replacements) and go into CYA mode, I mean they were as in the dark as any of us, supporting the president like any other patriotic American. You do love America, don't you? Vote McCain/Powell.

Campaign for the McCain/Powell ticket uaing whatever onslaught of slander, deception, and emotional manipulation Karl Rove already had planned. Hell, Rove could get off scot free. Just keep him on board. Pay Jay Leno to associate Kerry's daughter's breasts with Clinton's penis in the minds of voters.

With this ticket in office, there are two possibilities. The most likely, Plan C-1, is that the presidency is in one way or another co-opted by the BFEE. Expect them to drop the most blatant and radical PNAC ideals and go back to doing things the Cold War way: small and secret. Most Americans won't even notice, let alone care, if you overthrow some government in South America or sponsor death sqauds in some country no one cares about. The electorate will only notice if Americans are dying consistently. The American Empire works best if the American People don't know it exists. But the goal will be the same: ensuring the American petroleum industry controls a reliable source of oil in the Middle East. At home, expand control of the media and the election process; reduce the influence of the working and middle classes on policy decisions. Keep the loyalty of Christian Dominionists by using the Christian Industrial Complex to hint that things are proceeding to plan, we're still defending Israel, and Colin Powell is really only 1/128th black so it's OK, and anyway the President is in very good health.

Possibility C-2 is the new GOP ticket really is independent of the Bushistas. Still expect a Reaganesque dirty war, imperialistic foreign policy and pandering to social conservatives but civil liberties should be a little safer. The assault on legal abortion will continue, as will corporate control of the media and degradation of the working classes.

stink would be too hard to wash off. The public wants a new direction.

give credit where credit's due!!

would they ever replace Bush it's against their nature.That would mean they'd have to admit they were wrong and they just can't seem to get that out of their pieholes

They will stage a terrorist attack if it starts looking
like a huge defeat for them.

would be party to ugly tricks..they were played on him.

The dynasty controls the dirty tricks department. They will not willingly give up power.

If they are defeated by a democratic ticket they will, behind the scenes, use their control of the unaccountable network of intelligence agencies, corporate fronts, impenetrable defense contractors, huge energy corporations, and moles occupying positions of influence in all branches of government and media to undermine and derail any democratic agenda.