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Cheney’s shot across the bow
August 09, 2006 7:50 PM
White House correspondent Geoff Morrell blogs:
From their vacation homes in Texas and Wyoming, President Bush and Vice President Cheney offered their take -- or better yet, spin -- on Joe Lieberman's defeat. (At left, Lieberman talks to reporters today.)
They suggest it says less about the President's popularity or the war in Iraq than it does about who now controls the Democratic party.
"I know a lot of people have tried to make this a referendum on the president and I would flip it," White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said today. "I think instead it's a defining moment for the Democratic Party, whose national leaders now have made it clear that if you disagree with the extreme left in their party they're going to come after you."
The White House believes the anti-war wing of the Democratic Party has taken over and that will hurt them in the mid terms.
In a call to wire reporters from Jackson Hole, Vice President Cheney blasted liberal Democrats for "purging" his 2000 rival from their party. And he brought up terrorism. Here's the full quote:
"The thing that's partly disturbing about it is the fact that, the standpoint of our adversaries, if you will, in this conflict, and the al Qaeda types, they clearly are betting on the proposition that ultimately they can break the will of the American people in terms of our ability to stay in the fight and complete the task. And when we see the Democratic Party reject one of its own, a man they selected to be their vice presidential nominee just a few short years ago, it would seem to say a lot about the state the party is in today if that's becoming the dominant view of the Democratic Party, the basic, fundamental notion that somehow we can retreat behind our oceans and not be actively engaged in this conflict and be safe here at home, which clearly we know we won't -- we can't be."
He insisted Lieberman's loss is not an indication incumbents are in trouble this November, but he says it’s a sure sign that national security will once again be a big issue.
In fact, not long after the White House released a transcript of Cheney's call, the RNC forwarded it to reporters across the country -- clearly trying to seize on divisions and disarray among Democrats.
August 9, 2006 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (3)
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To Dick and George and Condi, the war in Iraq is a cash cow. Iraq is the equivalent of the California gold rush of '49. ExxonMobil's profits this last QUARTER were over $10,000,000,000. All these people have been in the oil business for decades. The U.S. is never going to leave Iraq or the Middle East. The military bases there are permanent. The U.S. is going to control oil prices and that's that. Who's going to stop them? Certainly not American politicians or citizens.
Posted by: Thomas Davey | Aug 10, 2006 1:46:01 AM
This, coming from a man with an approval rating wallowing around 18%. With that, Cheney is not even able to capture the right wing extremist base.
It is my belief that Lieberman damaged the Democrats campaign in 2000 with his whiney voice and weak demeanor. Go away, Joe. Stay away.
Apparently, the Republicans want him more than we do.
That’s how I see it, but I may be wrong.
What do you think?
Dave Germain
“If it’s germane, we’re talking.”
Posted by: Dave Germain | Aug 10, 2006 9:38:56 AM
I wonder what color the sky is on Cheney's planet?
This is not an indication of radical left wing anything. It is an indication that we are fed up with politicians who are more interested in their job security than in the people they are supposed to represent. Joe has been cozy with BushCo for too long. Not only did he approve the invasion of Iraq but he supported the joke of an energy bill we've been saddled with. He's been out of touch with the locals for years.
We acknowledge his support of Women's Right to Choose. Yes, he certainly made the appropriate rumbling about the necessity of maintaining the sub base in Groton.
What we are hungry for is a LEADER for our party. Someone who is going to speak for us - represent OUR concerns and viewpoints, not play the system in personal quest for power. That Joe is willing to run as an Independent speaks volumes about who he really represents - himself.
Posted by: Karen in CT | Aug 10, 2006 10:55:10 AM
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