Off The Cheney
It a sense, Dick Cheney is the perfect Vice President (at least for George W. Bush). There was never a threat of him trying to usurp Bush for outright control of the White House and the Republican Party. This fact has gone along way to building up Bush's confidence and his effectiveness as he's navigated through his first (and now second) term.
However, the positives that come with Cheney also has negatives. A person who has semi-presidential powers but no presidential aspirations won't typically care about things like PR, poll numbers or the role of Congress. Why should he; he's not running for anything. As long as his base is satisfied he's done his job.
So his harsh words for Iraq war critics (most recently among them Rep. Murtha) should not come as a surprise. Cheney is the only member of the Bush Administration who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Halliburton will be waiting for him when he finally decides to leave public service again (although his term as VP will end in 2009, there's no guarantee that he wouldn't consider working on attractive campaigns).
So while he has (and continues to) make some questionable claims, there can be no doubt: with few political obligations holding him in check, Cheney has become a very effective and dangerous VP.
However, the positives that come with Cheney also has negatives. A person who has semi-presidential powers but no presidential aspirations won't typically care about things like PR, poll numbers or the role of Congress. Why should he; he's not running for anything. As long as his base is satisfied he's done his job.
So his harsh words for Iraq war critics (most recently among them Rep. Murtha) should not come as a surprise. Cheney is the only member of the Bush Administration who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Halliburton will be waiting for him when he finally decides to leave public service again (although his term as VP will end in 2009, there's no guarantee that he wouldn't consider working on attractive campaigns).
So while he has (and continues to) make some questionable claims, there can be no doubt: with few political obligations holding him in check, Cheney has become a very effective and dangerous VP.
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