What should McCain do about Cheney?

Politico: He’s a highly effective fundraiser in an election cycle in which Republicans are starved for cash, a hero to the wing of the party that views John McCain with the most suspicion. He has four decades of campaign experience, ranging from a short stint running Gerald Ford’s election bid in 1976 to two successful races on the presidential ticket.

Yet despite that pedigree, Vice President Cheney is unlikely to share a stage with McCain anytime soon — and may not be called on to play any role at all in the 2008 presidential campaign. ...

Still, Cheney sympathizers believe the vice president can be helpful. “I think it’s clear that McCain’s biggest problem is with the conservative base of the party and that’s where the vice president is strongest,” said a close Cheney adviser. “If McCain’s smart, that’s where he’ll use him,” the adviser added, suggesting talk radio as a possible venue.

“Instead of pushing the vice president away, I’d use him to build bridges with various conservative constituencies,” added Cesar Conda, a lobbyist who worked for Cheney in the first term. “That’s where the party really needs him because the conservative base is in the doldrums.” ...

Asked whether he’d be interested in Cheney had the vice president not already have served under Bush for two terms, McCain said: "I don’t know if I would want him as vice president. He and I have the same strengths. But to serve in other capacities? Hell, yeah." ...

LSB: Oh, dear Lord! That would be 'red meat' to the salivating wingnuts, and (given Cheney's low poll numbers) a gift to the Dems - a win/win for all.