Dick Cheney is “comfortable.”
That’s nice. He’s done so much. He and his conscience should rest easy. At least until the trials…But that’s off topic. Here’s the money quote from his “exit interview” (not to be confused with an “exit strategy”) on “Fox News Sunday”:
“Eventually you wear out your welcome in this business, but I’m very comfortable with where we are and what we’ve achieved substantively.”
Actually, there are lots of gold nuggets. Here’s the WaPo version:
Vice President Cheney offered an unabashed defense of the Bush administration’s claims of broad executive powers today, mocking criticism from Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and saying the president “doesn’t have to check with anybody” before launching a nuclear attack.
In an interview with Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday,” Cheney fired back at Biden’s contention that he was probably “the most dangerous vice president” in U.S. history. He also ridiculed Biden for mistakenly citing Article I of the U.S. Constitution, rather than Article II, in talking about executive branch powers during an October debate.
“If he wants to diminish the office of the vice president, that’s obviously his call,” Cheney said of Biden. “President-elect Obama will decide what he wants in a vice president and apparently, from the way they’re talking about it, he does not expect him to have as consequential a role as I have had during my time.”
Cheney, speaking less than a month before he and President Bush leave the White House, was blunt and unapologetic about his central role in some of the most controversial issues of the past eight years, including the invasion of Iraq, warrantless surveillance of U.S. citizens, and harsh interrogation tactics. Cheney also said he disagreed with Bush’s decision to remove embattled Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld in 2006, saying that “the president doesn’t always take my advice.”
“I was a Rumsfeld man,” Cheney said. “I’d helped recruit him and I thought he did a good job for us.”
Sounds as if he’s setting himself up to take the fall …
The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.
William H. Borah
While not as venal as the inimitable Spiro Agnew, still, ….. the worst Veep.
It is about time that Chaney visit a tailor to get measured for his orange jump suit
JD
So, JD: When will the Democrat majorities in the Senate and House begin, or call for, legal proceedings against Vice President Cheney? They have held their majorities for two years, and…nothing. Will they take courage from Obama’s election? And if not, why not? Come to think of it, why would they need courage? They would be the darlings of the glitterati and the media, so what’s not to like about going forward?
Merely trying to put a good spin on a bunch of illegality and unconstitutionality before leaving office.
History will judge this man and his (inept) boss.
The last is yet to be written or said about Cheney or Bush, but I suspect it won’t be good.
JJ:
Not in this blog. It’s interesting that you liberals remain embittered and enraged even after their fair-haired guy wins the presidency and the Democrats take control of Congress. The glass is 1% empty rather than 99% full I guess…
Bob: Do you think the “liberals’” outrage over the various dishonest actions of the Bush-Cheney administration is driven purely by partisan resentment? Democrats should forget about all that unconstitutional behavior because their team won the big game this year? If that’s what you expect from this blog then, yes, I think you will be disappointed. (Also, I’ve heard some inaccurate descriptions of Obama in my day, but “fair-haired” might just take the cake!)
Mollie:
The behavior has not been found to be unconstitutional in any court of law, or by Congress. It is not unconstitutional because you say it is. That would have to be a result of legal or congressional adjudication, and that has not happened. Nor has Congress instituted hearings to resolve the matter. All I hear is the continuous whining of people who never seem happy about anything. Where are the huge rallies, the massive marches on Washington? Regarding my characterization of Obama, would you have been happy had I said “fair-haired boy? I think not.
Fine, then, behavior that people believe to be unconstitutional. You seem to be assuming no one who makes that argument actually believes it; they’re just complaining because they don’t care for Republicans. You can assume that if you want — but then what is there to discuss?
Regarding my characterization of Obama, would you have been happy had I said “fair-haired boy? I think not.
If that was the only other option, then I admire your restraint.
Mollie:
Correction: Behavior that some people believe to be constitutional. But it was gracious of you to concede that one point. You’re alright Mollie, no matter what Grant Gallicho says. Just kidding.