Dick Cheney

Cheney On The Vice Presidency: Yup! Pretty Much Nailed It!

Brian Beutler | October 6, 2011, 12:30PM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

The Atlantic Ideas Forum just hosted a seminar on hard-hitting journalism in which investigative journalist Liz Cheney interviewed her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney. The questions ranged from whether Cheney agrees that the Obama administration has fixed the economy (nope!) to which Secretary of State he most enjoyed serving alongside (Henry Kissinger and James Baker).

Then along came moderator Steve Clemons (formerly of TPM) with a final question: Do you have any regrets about anything you might have done about Vice President?

"I think basically on balance we got it right, under difficult circumstances," Cheney says.

Cheney on the Vice Presidency: Pretty much nailed it!

Dick Cheney

Dick Cheney Says Sarah Palin Hasn't Explained Her Resignation

Benjy Sarlin | September 2, 2011, 12:37PM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Dick Cheney is not impressed with Sarah Palin's presidential resume, telling a radio host that he is concerned about her decision to abruptly resign her governor job in 2009.

"I've never gotten around the question of her having left the governorship of Alaska, mid-term," the former Vice President told radio host Laura Ingraham. "I've never heard that adequately explained."

He added that he'd "like to know more about that." Palin offered a plethora of reasons for the decision at the time she stepped down, most notably citing a slew of ethics investigations that she said paralyzed state government and required huge legal costs.

Cheney and Palin are generally considered two of the least popular Republican leaders in the country based on polling.

Dick Cheney

Cheney: I Don't Think Iraq Damaged Our Reputation Around The World

Jillian Rayfield | August 30, 2011, 9:44AM

In an interview with NBC's Matt Lauer on Tuesday, former Vice President Dick Cheney defended many of the most controversial decisions made during his tenure, including waterboarding ("the fact is it worked") and the decision to go to war in Iraq ("I think it was sound policy that dealt with a very serious problem").

"I don't think that it damaged our reputation around the world," Cheney said of Iraq. "I just don't believe that. I think critics here at home would argue that."

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Dick Cheney

Cheney: 'I Worship The Ground That Paul Ryan Walks On' (VIDEO)

Eric Lach | May 26, 2011, 12:30PM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Speaking at a KPMG Global Energy Institute event in Houston on Wednesday, former Vice President Dick Cheney took a moment to comment on what he called the nation's "horrendous debt problem," and offer some high praise for House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI).

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Torture

Senate Intel Chair: Torture Did Not Lead To Bin Laden In Any Way

Brian Beutler | May 3, 2011, 12:59PM

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)

More and more evidence suggests a key piece of intelligence -- the first link in the chain of information that led U.S. intelligence officials to Osama bin Laden -- wasn't tortured out of its source. And, indeed, that torture actually failed to produce it.

"To the best of our knowledge, based on a look, none of it came as a result of harsh interrogation practices," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee in a wide-ranging press conference.

Moreover, Feinstein added, nothing about the sequence of events that culminated in Sunday's raid vindicates the Bush-era techniques, nor their use of black sites -- secret prisons, operated by the CIA.

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CPAC

Paul Supporters Hijack Cheney-Rumsfeld Reunion (Video)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | February 10, 2011, 4:52PM

Dick Cheney just popped up here at CPAC to introduce his old pal and Bush administration colleague Donald Rumsfeld. Fans of Ron Paul turned what should have been a friendly moment before an audience of fellow conservatives into a screaming match and protest action that resembled what a Cheney-Rumsfeld hug at the Netroots Nation convention might look like.

Rumsfeld is being given CPAC's "Defender Of The Constitution" award, a concept that apparently rankled Paul supporters in the crowd. Many of them got up and walked out en masse at the mention of Rumsfeld, though some stayed behind in the conference hall to heckle the architects of the invasion of Iraq.

One shout of "where's Bin Laden?" rang out as Cheney spoke of Rumsfeld.

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Egypt

Cheney: Mubarak Has 'Been A Good Friend' To U.S.

Eric Kleefeld | February 7, 2011, 11:02AM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, who has not been shy about criticizing President Obama on issues of foreign policy, is now adding his voice to the discussion on Egypt. In this case, Cheney seems to be straddling the fence between pro-Mubarak and anti-Mubarak conservatives -- saying that the Egyptian strongman should be treated nicely by the United States, but perhaps it's time for him to go.

AFP reports:

"I think President Mubarak needs to be treated as he's deserved over the years, because he has been a good friend, not only to the United States but a lot of other folks that we do business with," Cheney said a gathering in Santa Barbara, California to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of late US president Ronald Reagan.

"He's been a good friend and ally of the United States and we need to remember that," Cheney said.

Despite those words of support, on the issue of whether Mubarak can or should hold on to power, the former vice president added: "There comes a time for everyone to hang it up and move on."

"That's a decision only the Egyptians can make," Cheney said.

Pres '12

Palin To Headline Reagan 100th Birthday Event

Eric Kleefeld | January 27, 2011, 6:06PM

Former Pres. Ronald Reagan and Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK)

Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) will be headlining a big event to mark the late President Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday: Delivering the keynote speech at the Reagan Ranch Center's commemoration, sponsored by the conservative Young America's Foundation. Oh, and former Vice President Dick Cheney will be there, too!

CNN reports:

Her speech on February 4th will "draw parallels to today while calling for young people to continue the Reagan revolution into 2012 and beyond," according to the release.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney will speak at the end of the celebrations on Saturday February 5th.

Reagan's centenary is turning into a big occasion for possible 2012 Republican candidates -- many others will be attending a mega-fundraiser for the state Republican Party in Reagan's original home of Illinois.

This should be a good gig for Palin. For one thing, the phrase "Morning in America" can fit on the average human hand.

Pres '12

Dick Cheney: 'I'm Intrigued' By Mitch Daniels For President (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 19, 2011, 11:42AM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-IN)

Former Vice President Dick Cheney is offering some effusive praise for one of the potential Republican presidential candidates: Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who previously served as Budget Director during the first term of the Bush-Cheney administration.

In an interview with Jamie Gangel of NBC News, Cheney said: "We've got a lot of good prospective candidates out there.

"And I'm intrigued for example by, oh, someone like Mitch Daniels. I like Mitch because he's got a breadth of experience, as OMB Director for example, because he's run a major of a big corporation, he's run a think tank -- Hudson Institute -- he's now been governor of Indiana, and he's done in Indiana what I think we need to do at the national level.

"Now, will Mitch run? I don't know whether he'll run or not. Is he the only potential candidate out there? No, we've got a lot of other good ones: Chris Christie from New Jersey; Tim Pawlenty from Minnesota."

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RNC

Dick Cheney Hosting Fundraiser For RNC Challenger Maria Cino

Eric Kleefeld | December 1, 2010, 10:01AM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Former Vice President Dick Cheney is putting his clout behind one of the challengers to Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, CNN reports, and will co-host an upcoming fundraiser for former Bush administration official Maria Cino:

Cheney's daughter Mary assisted in organizing the fundraising committee.

Cino served as a top Commerce Department official and Deputy Transportation Secretary under President Bush. She also worked at the RNC during Bush's two terms and managed the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

The fundraiser will be held at the Virginia home of GOP strategist Mary Matalin and is hosted by several veterans of Bush-Cheney world, including former RNC chairman Ed Gillespie, former New York Rep. Bill Paxon and former administration aides Melissa Bennett and Emily Lampkin.

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David Addington

Addington Takes Top Post At Conservative Heritage Foundation

Brian Beutler | August 30, 2010, 12:00PM

David Addington, former chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney

Former Dick Cheney aide David Addington is headed to the conservative Heritage foundation. Addington will serve, according to the Daily Caller as vice president for domestic and economic policy studies -- but he's most famous for advocating vast Presidential powers. Under Cheney, he allegedly helped to shape an infamous Justice Department memo sanctioning torture in some cases, and was a key architect of the previous administration's warrantless surveillance program

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Al Gore

Poll: Cheney's Stock Is On The Rise -- And Gore's Is Down

Thomas Rhiel | July 14, 2010, 10:41AM

Former Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney

Salacious tabloid press may have taken a toll on Al Gore's favor with the public, a new poll shows. At the same time, no longer being in the White House seems to have raised Dick Cheney's standing, if only from really bad to plain old bad.

A Gallup poll released today finds that Americans have a markedly less favorable view of Gore than they had three years ago. In the wake of Gore's divorce announcement and allegations that he sexually assaulted a masseuse in 2006, 49% of Americans have an unfavorable view of Gore, compared with 44% who have a favorable view.

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FL-SEN

Dick Cheney Endorses Rubio In Florida Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | April 22, 2010, 10:10AM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio (R-FL)

One of the biggest names of all in the Republican party has just endorsed Marco Rubio in the Florida Senate race: Former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Cheney's endorsements comes as the political world is preparing for an expected independent Senate campaign by Rubio's current opponent in the Republican primary, Gov. Charlie Crist. Cheney makes sure to attack Crist in his statement of endorsement.

"Charlie Crist has shown time and again that he cannot be trusted in Washington to take on the Obama agenda because on issue after issue he actually supports that agenda," Cheney says. "Lately it seems Charlie Crist cannot be trusted even to remain a Republican. I strongly urge him to either stay in the Republican Primary or drop out of the race. The only winners from an independent bid by Crist would be Barack Obama and Harry Reid."

KY-SEN

Neocons Attack Rand Paul By Tying Him To His Dad's Foreign Policy

Eric Kleefeld | April 20, 2010, 6:06PM

Rudy Giuliani and Rand Paul

The Republican primary in the Kentucky Senate race is shaping up to be a proxy fight between the neoconservative wing of the Republican party and the more libertarian strands. Key neocons are backing Secretary of State Trey Grayson over conservative activist Rand Paul -- and attacking Paul by criticizing his father Ron Paul's (R-TX) stances on Iraq, 9/11 and Guantanamo Bay.

Rudy Giuliani endorsed Trey Grayson yesterday, boldly vilifying the opposition: "He [Grayson] is not part of the 'blame America first' crowd that wants to bestow the rights of U.S. citizens on terrorists and point fingers at America for somehow causing 9/11." Another big-name neoconservative endorsing Grayson is former Vice President Dick Cheney, who in his own endorsement spoke of Grayson's dedication to keeping Guantanamo open and upholding the surges in Iraq and Afghanistan.

TPMDC asked Rand Paul campaign manager David Adams for comment on efforts by Giuliani and others to tie Rand Paul to his father's foreign policy stances, and whether this might reflect an effort to stop a candidate with ties to Ron Paul. "I wouldn't speculate on what their motivations are," said Adams. "We'll put our endorsements up against anybody, and so far I think it's clear that Sarah Palin and Sen. Jim Bunning and the conservative pro-life groups that have endorsed Rand far outweigh what Secretary Grayson's been able to pull together."

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CPAC

CPAC 2010 Day One: The Return Of Bush-Cheney

Evan McMorris-Santoro | February 18, 2010, 5:31PM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Former President George W. Bush

An unlikely pair has taken CPAC by storm -- everywhere you look, people are saying nice things about George Bush and Dick Cheney. The return of Bush and Cheney to Republican good graces is the strongest evidence yet that conservatives are ready to come out of the shadows in the wake of their monumental defeat in 2008.

It wasn't long ago that Republicans, and especially conservatives, were among the last people you'd hear mentioning Bush at all, let alone in a positive light. At CPAC today, it's like those days of shockingly low poll numbers and staggering midterm defeats at the polls never happened. Mitt Romney praised Bush when it was his chance to take the podium. A surprise appearance by Cheney brought the house down.

These are the men who were pushed to side the last time the GOP had a national convention. But today, Bush-Cheney is back.

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CPAC

Cheney Makes Surprise Appearance At CPAC (VIDEO)

Rachel Slajda | February 18, 2010, 12:58PM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Former Vice President Dick Cheney just made a surprise appearance at CPAC after his daughter, Liz Cheney, finished her speech.

The crowd went wild, standing up and cheering for several minutes before he began talking. One man yelled, "Four more years!"

"Knock it off!" Cheney said. "A welcome like that is almost enough to make me want to run for office again. But I'm not gonna do it."

He spoke briefly and offered his predictions for the November mid-terms.

"2010 is going to be a phenomenal year, and I think Barack Obama is a one-term president," he said to wild applause.

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Roundup

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | February 14, 2010, 1:08PM

Vice President Joe Biden and former Vice President Dick Cheney

Cheney: Obama Administration Should Thank Bush, Admit They Were 'Just Dead Wrong' On Iraq
Appearing on This Week, former Vice President Dick Cheney attacked the Obama administration's handling of Iraq and other national security issues. "They opposed the surge that was absolutely crucial to our getting to the point we're at now with respect to Iraq. And for them to try to take credit for what's happened in Iraq strikes me as a little strange," said Cheney. "I think if -- if they had had their way, if we'd followed the policies they'd pursued from the outset or advocated from the outset, Saddam Hussein would still be in power in Baghdad today. So if they're going to take credit for it, fair enough, for what they've done while they're there, but it ought to go with a healthy dose of 'Thank you, George Bush' up front and a recognition that some of their early recommendations, with respect to prosecuting that war, were just dead wrong."

Biden: Cheney 'Trying To Rewrite History'
Appearing on Meet The Press, Vice President Joe Biden fired back at his predecessor Dick Cheney's frequent criticism of the administration. "I'm not gonna guess about [Dick Cheney's] motive. All I know is he's factually, substantively wrong, on the major criticisms he is asserting. Why he's insisting on that - he either is misinformed or he is misinforming. But the facts are that his assertions are not accurate," said Biden, who also added: "It's almost like Dick is trying to rewrite history. I can understand where the-- why that would be, you know, an impulse."

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | February 12, 2010, 2:32PM

Vice President Joe Biden and former Vice President Dick Cheney

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Former Vice President Dick Cheney.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Vice President Joe Biden.

• CNN, State Of The Union: National Security Adviser James Jones, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN).

• Fox News Sunday: National Security Adviser James Jones, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Vice President Joe Biden.

George W. Bush

Bush, Liz Cheney To Speak At Hunters Convention

Eric Kleefeld | January 12, 2010, 10:10AM

Announcement for the George W. Bush speech at the Safari Club International Annual Hunters' Convention.

After staring down terrorists for eight years, former President George W. Bush is taking on a new challenge: a speaking gig at the Safari Club International Annual Hunters' Convention in Reno, Nevada.

But wait, there's more! In addition to listening to Bush speak, conference attendees will also be able to attend a variety of hunting-related seminars such as: "Proper Boots -- Proper Care," "Through the Eyes of a Young Hunter," "Wild Game & Wine Pairing," and "Shotgun Chokes: How they Work," just to name a few.

Bush will deliver the keynote address on Saturday, January 23, the final night of the four-day convention. Though it's unclear what he'll talk about (WMD's in Iraq, maybe?), the convention's Web site boasts: "His intellect and humor will make this a night to remember and share for years and years." The former leader of the free world will be joined by such top-notch acts as comedian Frank Caliendo, Three Dog Night, the Bellamy Brothers, a country music group, Dennis Miller, and a Beach Boys cover band, "Papa Doo Run Run."

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Flight 253

WH Hits Back: Obama 'Doesn't Need To Beat His Chest To Prove' Nation Is At War

Christina Bellantoni | December 30, 2009, 4:27PM

President Obama

In an unusually direct and aggressive blog post, White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer today criticizes former Vice President Dick Cheney for his constant critique of the administration's national security policies.

Pfeiffer wrote, "it is telling that Vice President Cheney and others seem to be more focused on criticizing the Administration than condemning the attackers."

Pfeiffer said that in his statement to Politico today Cheney makes a "clearly untrue" claim that Obama doesn't realize we're at war.

"I don't think anyone realizes this very hard reality more than President Obama," Pfeiffer wrote, detailing the times Obama and his top advisers have used the term.

"The difference is this: President Obama doesn't need to beat his chest to prove it, and - unlike the last Administration - we are not at war with a tactic ("terrorism"), we [are] at war with something that is tangible: al Qaeda and its violent extremist allies. And we will prosecute that war as long as the American people are endangered," he wrote.

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Dick Cheney

Cheney On Flight 253: Obama 'Trying To Pretend We Are Not At War'

Eric Kleefeld | December 30, 2009, 9:00AM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Former Vice President Dick Cheney is adding his voice to the ranks of Republicans who are criticizing President Obama's response to the attempted bombing of Flight 253, declaring that Obama "is trying to pretend we are not at war," and that this is because being at war "doesn't fit with what seems to be the goal of his presidency - social transformation -- the restructuring of American society."

Here is the full statement Cheney gave to Politico:

"As I've watched the events of the last few days it is clear once again that President Obama is trying to pretend we are not at war. He seems to think if he has a low key response to an attempt to blow up an airliner and kill hundreds of people, we won't be at war. He seems to think if he gives terrorists the rights of Americans, lets them lawyer up and reads them their Miranda rights, we won't be at war. He seems to think if we bring the mastermind of 9/11 to New York, give him a lawyer and trial in civilian court, we won't be at war.

"He seems to think if he closes Guantanamo and releases the hard-core al Qaeda trained terrorists still there, we won't be at war. He seems to think if he gets rid of the words, 'war on terror,' we won't be at war. But we are at war and when President Obama pretends we aren't, it makes us less safe. Why doesn't he want to admit we're at war? It doesn't fit with the view of the world he brought with him to the Oval Office. It doesn't fit with what seems to be the goal of his presidency - social transformation -- the restructuring of American society. President Obama's first object and his highest responsibility must be to defend us against an enemy that knows we are at war."

Dick Cheney

Cheney: 'I Basically Don't' Think Bush Administration Responsible For Afghanistan Problems

Eric Kleefeld | December 1, 2009, 9:59AM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

In an interview with the Politico, former Vice President Dick Cheney attacked President Obama over Afghanistan -- and also insisted that the Bush administration is not responsible for the situation in that country:

But Cheney rejected any suggestion that Obama had to decide on a new strategy for Afghanistan because the one employed by the previous administration failed.

Cheney was asked if he thinks the Bush administration bears any responsibility for the disintegration of Afghanistan because of the attention and resources that were diverted to Iraq. "I basically don't," he replied without elaborating.

As Spencer Ackerman points out, Cheney's statement comes right on the heels of a Senate report saying that the United States missed an opportunity to capture Osama bin Laden in December 2001, in Tora Bora. And even without that relevant piece of news, the fact remains that the Bush Administration handed off the Afghanistan situation to Obama in the eighth year of the conflict.

TX-GOV

Perry Reacts To Cheney's Endorsement Of His Opponent: 'I'd Stick With Sarah' Palin

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 11:12AM

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) and Fmr. Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK)

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) is brushing off former Vice President Dick Cheney's endorsement of Perry's primary challenger, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison -- saying he'd rather have his current support from Sarah Palin.

Perry touted an upcoming endorsement from Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, as evidence of Republican support. Perry was then asked if he would rather have Cheney or Palin, who endorsed him back in February.

Perry's response: "I think I'd stick with Sarah."

Dick Cheney

Dick Cheney To Campaign For Kay Bailey Hutchison In Texas Gubernatorial Primary

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 2:08PM

Fmr. VP Dick Cheney and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)

Former Vice President Dick Cheney may have left office overwhelmingly unpopular with the country at large, but he's headed back on the campaign trail -- to endorse Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) in her campaign for governor, challenging incumbent Gov. Rick Perry in the Republican primary.

Cheney is scheduled to attend a Hutchison fundraiser on November 17, an environment of Texas Republicans where he's probably still more popular than not.

In terms of endorsements, each candidate has a big GOP name in their corner. Cheney is for Hutchison, while Perry has previously been endorsed by Sarah Palin.

Alan Grayson

Grayson: Cheney Has 'Blood That Drips From His Teeth'

Eric Kleefeld | October 23, 2009, 10:52AM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

During an appearance yesterday on Hardball, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) jokingly suggested that former Vice President Dick Cheney is a vampire.

Chris Matthews asked Grayson what he thinks of Cheney's attacks on President Obama for "dithering" on Afghanistan.

"Well, my response is -- and by the way, I have trouble listening to what he says sometimes, because of the blood that drips from his teeth while he's talking," said Grayson. "But my response is this: He's just angry because the president doesn't shoot old men in the face. But by the way, when he was done speaking, did he just then turn into a bat and fly away?"

Even Matthews, no Cheney fan himself, was shocked: "Oh God -- we gotta keep a level here. Let me ask you this: Don't you have any Republican friends?"

Grayson laughed, and said that some of his best friends are Republicans.

Dick Cheney

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | August 28, 2009, 4:30PM

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. John Kerry (D-MA); Liz Cheney, E.J. Dionne, Sam Donaldson, Gwen Ifill, George Will.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT); James Carville and Mary Matalin.

• Fox News Sunday: Former Vice President Dick Cheney.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Bob Shrum, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Doris Kearns Goodwin.