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What Cheney says Calm, Cool, DisconnectedBy Rick Horowitz Click. " -- joined this morning by the vice president of the United States, Dick Cheney. Welcome, Mr. Vice President." "Good to be with you again, Tim." "First issue on everyone's mind: Iraq. Many people, as you know, are worried that the situation over there seems to be getting worse every day, that Iraqi society is simply disintegrating before our eyes. Can a surge of American troops do anything to stop that?"
"Saddam Hussein." "Saddam Hussein. As long as he was in power, Iraq was going to be a threat -- a growing threat -- to our allies in the region, and frankly, to us as well. He's gone now, and even our friends in the media should understand that that's a very welcome development." "But, Mr. Vice President -- " "Now, getting rid of Saddam Hussein was just the first step. We've also helped stand up a democratic government in Iraq, the first democratically-written constitution in the Arab world, with millions of Iraqis risking their lives to go to the polls to vote for their leaders. That's an amazing accomplishment, Tim, and there's no question the average life of the average Iraqi is much better because of it." "You've said we've had 'enormous successes' in Iraq." "Because that's exactly what they've been, Tim. No fair-minded person can look at what's happened in Iraq and not say we've been doing a terrific job over there." "Despite all the bombings and shootings and -- " "Tim, we've been doing a terrific job over there." "Mr. Vice President, many people here in Washington feel you continue to have a huge influence over the president's thinking. Without you at his side, the speculation goes, the president would have been much more willing to accept, for instance, the recommendations of the Baker-Hamilton commission, and begin drawing down our involvement in Iraq. How do you respond to that?" "I don't, Tim. Speculation is the national sport in Washington." "It doesn't get you angry?" "Do I look like I'm angry?" "You don't, actually, which is pretty impressive. You're just sitting there with your chin on your hands and -- " "Exactly. Tim, as long as I sit with my chin on my hands, and I don't look angry and I never raise my voice, I can say anything I want and people will believe me." "That's an -- well, that's an unusual talent, to say the least. So it's all in your demeanor?" "Tim, when I say things in a matter-of-fact way, people take them as matters of fact. I've been doing it for years, and -- except for some of our friends in the media -- most people don't have the stomach to try to contradict me. The total weight of Cleveland is almost three trillion pounds." "Excuse me?" "The total weight of Cleveland is almost three trillion pounds. The beagle and the muskrat have exactly the same number of teeth. Queen Elizabeth is one hot babe." "I'm not sure I -- " "A bowl of corn flakes has more iron than a plate of liver. George Bush is a great global strategist. South Dakota is north of North Dakota." "But that's just -- " Click. Posted 1/30/07. Keep
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Rick Horowitz
