After a story in today’s Washington Post suggesting that Cheney was under investigation in the Valarie Plame case, government officials and advisers were abuzz with rumors that the vice president might step aside and that President Bush would elevate Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Said one Bush insider;

It’s certainly an interesting but I still think highly doubtful scenario. And if that should happen, there will undoubtedly be those who believe the whole thing was orchestrated – another brilliant Machiavellian move by the VP.

Said another Bush advisor;

Folks on the inside and near inside are holding their breath and wondering what’s next.

The rumor spread so fast that some Republicans by late morning were already drawing up reasons why Rice couldn’t get the job or run for president in 2008.

Let’s see…. the last time a Vice President resigned, wasn’t he a former Maryland governor? And….help me here….didn’t something really big follow along after he resigned?