A: No. Toast is sliced bread, heated and browned. Tom DeLay is a Republican congressman representing the 22nd District of Texas. The fate of DeLay is unclear at this juncture. There is no question that Republican congressmen are growing weary of the daily Tom DeLay stories, questions about his travel, questions about his finances, questions about his tactics. Right now, however, there doesn't seem to be a serious crack in GOP support; Chris Shays and Tom Tancredo do not a palace coup make. But if the House ethics committee uncovers more information that further damages the majority leader -- say, serious questions about his former relationship with lobbyist Jack Abramoff -- I think at some point Republican leaders will decide he is not worth the political capital of defending him. I just don't feel we're at that point quite yet.
John Bolton, on the other hand -- President Bush's choice to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations -- is toast.
Q: I cannot recall any vice president who has categorically stated he has no interest in running for president when his term ended. That is, until Dick Cheney. Who was the last veep to bow out in advance? -- Rachel Sawyer, Washington, D.C.
A: It is certainly most unusual for a vice president to disclaim any intention of succeeding his boss. There is no question in my mind that Cheney's disclaimer is genuine, not the kind of posturing one often hears from those swearing off White House ambitions. Aside from age or health questions, Cheney -- arguably the most powerful and influential vice president in history -- made it clear from day one that his role was to support George W. Bush in any way he can. He has earned Bush's trust and gratitude, and he has never made the president wonder about a hidden agenda. Of course, given the role Cheney has played these last four and a half years, perhaps running for president would be seen as a step down.
The last elected vice president not to run for president was Republican Charles Curtis. A White House contender in 1928, he was chosen that year as Herbert Hoover's running mate over Hoover's objections. Neither Hoover nor Curtis cared for each other in the ticket's ill-fated bid for re-election in 1932. But Curtis never ran for president after that. Here's a look at all the elected vice presidents since Curtis and their record as presidential candidates:
From this source