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EXCLUSIVE: Cheney One-on-One
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ShareApril 04, 2007 12:03 PM
ABC News Radio's Ann Compton Reports: In an exclusive interview with ABC News Radio, Vice President Dick Cheney greeted the release of fifteen British sailors from Iran, blasted Democratic efforts to attach a timetable for withdrawal to an Iraq spending bill, and played the role of political pundit in the 2008 Republican presidential contest.
Regarding the soon to be released British sailors, Cheney told ABC News Radio, "I don't know all the details, obviously, but I'm glad to know that the British sailors will be released," quickly adding that it was "unfortunate they were ever taken in the first place" and pointing out "there's considerable evidence that they were, in fact, in Iraqi territorial waters when this happened."
Cheney said he did not know if there was a 'quid-pro-quo' ensuring their release but said if there was such an exchange, it sets a bad precedent for the future.
"If you get into the business where you reward that kind of behavior, there will be more of that kind of behavior," Cheney said.
The Vice President also sounded off on the emergency spending bill for the Iraq War currently winding its way through Congress with a timetable for withdrawal attached.
"The president is the commander-in-chief," Cheney declared, "he's the one that makes the decisions about the use of miltary force."
Blasting Democrats who support the withdrawal measure, Cheney asserted, "They are trying to usurp the ability of the president to make those basic decisions," adding that he felt their legislative efforts would "interfere with the actions of our troops on the ground."
"We made it very clear," Cheney concluded, "what we want is a clean bill."
On another hot topic, the Vice President continued the White House's criticism of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's, D-Calif., Middle East tour which included a recent stop in Syria to meet with President Bashar Assad.
Cheney called Pelosi's diplomatic venture "unfortunate" explaining, "the fact of the matter is Bashar Assad has been a bad actor in many respects," citing Syria as a "conduit for Iranian support of Hezbollah" and a "flow of jihadists" into Iraq.
Echoing President Bush, who on Tuesday labeled Pelosi's visit to Syria "counterproductive", Cheney added, "He's been isolated and cut off be of his bad behavior. The unfortunate thing about the Speaker's visit is it sort of breaks down that barrier."
"His bad behavior's being rewarded in a sense," Cheney concluded to ABC News Radio.
On the more general question of his relationship with the newly minted Democratic Speaker of the House, Cheney smiled and said simply, "It is what it is."
After complimenting Pelosi's "historic" status as the first female Speaker, Cheney also said, "There are fundamental differences. Nancy Pelosi is basically a, you know, what (former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations) Jeane Kirkpatrick used to call a San Francisco Democrat; she's a liberal and those are her views, there's nothing wrong with that, that's her world view...(but) we're bound to have disagreements and we do."
Expecting his sixth grandchild next month from daughter Mary Cheney and her lesbian partner Heather Poe, Cheney reiterated that he had not changed his views on the Clinton era 'Don't ask, Don't tell' policy concerning homosexuals serving in the military and repeated his support for states taking the lead in gay rights equality issues.
Cheney, who returned to the hospital recently to treat a deep vein thrombosis, insisted he was feeling good and said, "I was fortunate to catch it early and I've got great medical care."
Declining to detail much about his post-White House plans except to say, "I'm not aiming to do anything in the public spotlight," later further clarifying, "but I do expect that the public aspect of it will end it ," Cheney did comment on the 2008 Republican presidential field.
Insisting he would stay out of the presidential fray until "at least after the convention", Cheney declined to predict a nomination winner but could not resist several pundit volleys from ABC News Radio's Ann Compton.
When asked whether Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is too old to be president, Cheney answered, "No."
Asked whether former New York Mayor Giuliani has been married too many times to be president, the Vice President also retorted, "No."
And, finally, when asked whether religion would be an impediment for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Cheney again replied, "No."
April 4, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (67)
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Can you imagine Cheney deriding anyone for bad behavior? If that isn't calling the kettle black....
Posted by: Arnie | Apr 4, 2007 2:45:12 PM
I know the press who travel with Cheney,Bush, etc must "be careful" with their questioning OR they will be frozen out by this group. My question, though, is why any real journalist would want to be around this Administration any more. There is no real news here - it's more like serving as their PR outlet. Instead of saying, Ann Compton is an ABC reporter, why not say that Ann Compton, is Cheney's spokesperson". Why does any of the press bother with attending the WH Press briefings anymore? It's only an Adminsitration Propaganda session. Why bother?
Posted by: Larry J | Apr 4, 2007 3:05:07 PM
I very rarely read and never ever watch ABC. Their credibility went out the window years ago, the same for bush and his cronies. The bush administration is so used to yes men and scared newsmen around them they can't believe what's happening. A congress elected by the people standing on their constitutional rights. Cheney is the same liar he has always been going all the the way back to,"I'm not a crook" Nixon!
Posted by: Thomas | Apr 4, 2007 3:17:14 PM
I hope the next VP has a demon purification ritual in the office before setting foot in there.
Posted by: James | Apr 4, 2007 3:22:32 PM
But somehow compton mananged to forget to ask cheney about the three republicans who met with asad on sunday. well done compton and abc.
Posted by: klyde | Apr 4, 2007 3:32:50 PM
Dick Cheney, a fat tomato worm, drop him in a tin can of kerosene.
Posted by: gopindrag | Apr 4, 2007 3:33:43 PM
Only Mel Brooks could do Vice President Frankenstein, I mean Cheney, credit ("Repulicans-good, Democrats-bad"). This "exclusive interview" is just another example of how poor a job the media has done over the past 7 years in covering this administration. I know that the press has, in the past, cut Roosevelt some slack (not showing him in a wheelchair) and could have been a little more aggressive with Kennedy...but, c'mon, why are they so hypnotized by the Republican laugh machine? I used to have respect for the press, but I lost it about the time Fox News came along and dragged the rest of the "old media" into the same hole. If I want news, it seems I have to go to BBC or other overseas outlets to find anything worthwhile (although the Washington Post does good work once in awhile). The puffery reflected in this interview does ABC no credit.
Posted by: Dirik Lolkus | Apr 4, 2007 3:35:31 PM
Aren't there Republican members of Congress in Syria right now?
Posted by: Ryan | Apr 4, 2007 3:39:52 PM
I have a great idea! From now on, get someone to draw Cheney at these little brainstorming sessions and use conversation balloons for the dialogue. That way you can put the whole episode in the funny pages where it belongs.
Posted by: TSnow | Apr 4, 2007 3:40:55 PM
Come on, Ann Compton - you used to be a good journalist. Why did you even conduct this interview? It's a puff piece that belittles the integrity of readers/listeners. Our country is in a real mess. Step up to the plate Ann. Ask Cheney why he doesnt debate these issues publicly, or go around the country and listen to Americans. In this "report" you just let him spew partisan nonsense in a comfortable room and let him get away with it. You should be as ashamed as he should be.
Posted by: Ron | Apr 4, 2007 3:43:05 PM
AND TELL ME AGAIN WHY THIS INCOMPETENT, CRIMINAL WAR PROFITEER ISN'T IN PRISON?
Posted by: DOUG | Apr 4, 2007 3:43:54 PM
Why does the media, all of the media, play this game about non disclosure of information going, while just showing "their" side of the story? Is the internet the only place to find "both/all sides" of a story? Where is Walter Cronkite when you need him?
Posted by: tom bell | Apr 4, 2007 3:50:02 PM
Lies.. Lies.. and more Lies from this Treasonous Administration who has prostituted the United States government to conglomerates and the richest 1%.
The Bush Administration is pouring billions of American Taxpayer dollars into a massive propaganda effort by the "Ministry of Propaganda". They are paying the media conglomerates such as NBC, FOX, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and ABC billions of American Taxpayer dollars to spread lies and hide and obfuscate the truth via the lying lips of the pundits such as Carlson, Blitzer, Mathews, and Russert, etc.
Posted by: CurtJ | Apr 4, 2007 3:52:06 PM
Dick Cheney has more common sense and political savvy than all of D.C. put together. Though he's been villified, history is going to show that Dick Cheney was brilliant. I love that he doesn't cave to the pressure and holds his ground. His recent comment that setting a timetable for withdrawal in Iraq is "like telling our enemy to watch the clock and wait us out" is right on the money. I wish he'd run in 08, but between his fragile health and the absolute slander he's been subjected to, he wouldn't stand a chance. I'm telling you, history will have a very different take on Richard Cheney.
Posted by: Joy O | Apr 4, 2007 3:56:55 PM
When will this administration Break down and realize that a military solution alone is not the answer! We must start diplomatic talks with the Syrians,Irainians and Saudis to end this conflict. However it seems that this adminstration just wants to kill and de-stabilize the Iraqis and the peace process, all for the love of money.
Posted by: ken | Apr 4, 2007 3:58:23 PM
ABC "News" you are not doing your job... unless of course your job is PR agent to MR. Cheney. WHY DID YOU NOT ASK HIM ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS WHO TRAVELED TO DAMASCUS? But by asking that, you may have made him mad and I doubt that's how ABC operates. You would rather ignore the truth in order to make this administration look truthful.
Posted by: clint | Apr 4, 2007 4:00:03 PM
Does anyone care about Cheney anymore or think his comments are relevant? No
Posted by: steve | Apr 4, 2007 4:00:26 PM
Dick;
We have a room set aside for you here. Great free medical and psychiatric care will be provided. Please check in ASAP.
PS: No, you won't need your briefcase, or your attitude.
Posted by: Ward N. Inchief | Apr 4, 2007 4:04:45 PM
Newman, don't love Cheney too much. He certainly doesn't love you!!!!
Posted by: JeffG | Apr 4, 2007 4:05:40 PM
asked if he would be happy to put on the uniform and fight in Iraq, Cheney replied, "No."
asked if he knew where Osama bin Laden is hiding, Cheney again replied, No."
Posted by: steve | Apr 4, 2007 4:07:23 PM
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