Steve Brusk
Political Desk Senior Editor
It was rare public appearance on the campaign trail for Vice President Cheney. But before an audience in his home state of Wyoming this weekend, it was also the start of a political farewell.
Cheney, with the administration’s approval ratings at near record low numbers, has kept a low profile this fall. Most of his speeches have been behind closed doors, at small private fundraisers for Congressional candidates. Even his last planned nationally-televised appearance, at the Republican National Convention in August, was canceled because Hurricane Gustav was hitting the Gulf Coast.
A White House already eclipsed by the historic and long running presidential campaign, will move further into the shadows Wednesday as the nation looks to the new President-elect. Cheney’s departure from elected office and return to private life will be a quiet one.
But on this final Saturday before Election Day, Cheney was again the star attraction before a friendly audience in a safe red state. The Vice President spoke in the gymnasium of Laramie High School, the GOP Wyoming Victory rally.
He shared memories of local politicians who helped shape his 30-year political career, that began with a run for Congress there. Telling the story of his wife and daughters joining him on many campaign trips, he wistfully said, “I’ve had a long career in politics, though today, looking back, it seems to have passed in the blink of an eye.”
Warming to the remembrances of Wyoming, he mentioned an old football rival, the student housing apartment he shared with wife Lynne when they were first married, and “less than a dollar an hour” he earned in his first legislative job at the state capitol.
“I can’t help but think of all I have to be grateful for over a long career”, he said. “Today as we get ready for the final push in the campaign here in Wyoming, I wanted to express again my deep gratitude for the privilege of serving our state in public office. It’s a responsibility that has taken me far from the familiar sights of Laramie, Casper, Cheyenne or Jackson Hole. I’ve been humbled by the honor. I’ve been awed by the splendor of America, and by the character of its people”.
Political realities were still very present Saturday, taking the spotlight from personal stories. While it is no surprise the Vice President is a backer of Republican ticket, his pronouncement with television cameras rolling that I’m delighted to support John McCain” attracted attention. And looking at the selection to potentially next sit behind his desk, Cheney added, “I’m pleased that he has chosen a running mate with executive talent, toughness and common sense, our next Vice President Sarah Palin.”
Within an hour, the Obama campaign had sent an e-mail highlighting Cheney’s praise for the ticket. By mid-afternoon, Barack Obama had incorporated it into his stump speech.
In Colorado, where President Bush and Cheney won a solid victory four years ago, Obama used the comments to hurt McCain among people who voted Republican on ’04. He told a rally in Pueblo, “the truth is President Bush is sitting out the last few days before the election. But earlier today, Dick Cheney came out of his undisclosed location and he hit the campaign trail...I would like to congratulate Senator McCain on this endorsement. Because he really earned it.”
By day’s end, the Obama campaign had turned his comment into a new television commercial, attacking McCain’s connection to the administration as “ not the change we need”.
How did the McCain campaign respond? With a dig at the Vice President, and an attempt to turn the table by linking Cheney with Obama. A spokesman said in a statement, “Barack Obama and Dick Cheney aren't just cousins, they’ve shared support for the Bush energy policy and the out-of-control spending that John McCain has fought to oppose.”
Greeted warmly in Laramie, Cheney opened with a joke he has used for years, saying “with a welcome like that, it’s almost enough to make me want to run for office again.” And as audience always do, they laughed as he added “almost”. But when your only political rally is your home state, and your parties’ nominee scrambled to distance himself from a routine show of support, Cheney must be glad his name is not on the ballot Tuesday, as his days of public service draw to a close.
| Joanne, Syracuse, NY |
November 3rd, 2008 10:59 am ET It is fitting that Mr. Cheney address his home state. He has been a rather poor influence in the White House and upon or country. Good-bye Mr. Cheney! |
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| Damon Wong |
November 3rd, 2008 11:10 am ET If they really wanted to help McCain win, Cheney and Bush should have endorsed Barack and say they believe Barack/Biden will continue their policies. Bush still has time. No one would probably believe them, but it would be amusing. |
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| PA |
November 3rd, 2008 11:32 am ET Probably the first truthful words he's ever spoken, " I wanted to express again my deep gratitude for the privilege of serving our state in public office." A privilege he trampled, stomped and ground into extinction! His Privileges were "EXECUTIVE" Remember – with no borders or gate! BUBYE DICK! Don't let the door hit you in the ....... on your way out! |
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| Mike in STL, MO |
November 3rd, 2008 11:05 am ET Is it possible for two politicians to share the same nick name...Tricky Dicky...? |
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| Scott Orlando, FL |
November 3rd, 2008 11:14 am ET They are finally leaving Washington. One crook at a time! |
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| jonathan kumbi |
November 3rd, 2008 11:53 am ET i think that it is fitting that Mr. Cheney and Mr. Bush leave so once they depart we can welcome the new president/ vice president with open arms and await change in this country that is much needed. Everyone vote on Tuesday 11-04-2008 Barack Obama and Joe Biden yea change is much needed!. |
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| Me |
November 3rd, 2008 12:07 pm ET I want to express my DEEPEST APPRECIATION to our Great Vice President, Dick Cheney, for coming out just 2 days before Tuesday's big election day and giving his heartfelt endorsement to John McCain. Couldn't be better timing!! One last fatal shove as McCain ditches his last JET TO NOWHERE!! |
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| Vickster Knows |
November 3rd, 2008 1:14 pm ET Good ridence, you neocon creep! |
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| Susan |
November 3rd, 2008 1:18 pm ET I thought Cheney had another round of heart problems or some such thing and was recently sidelined for that... but probably busy running the incursion into Syria and lots of pulling of presidential puppet strings The saddest thing about reading this, is he went on about his supposed illustrious long career and how wonderful it was to serve, but no mention of the soldiers and their families that have sacrificed and lost so much the past 7 years as a result of Cheney and Bush's ineptitude and power plays... not even on his mind in this time of leaving office.. our soldiers are so patriotic and look up to the president and VP with almost blind faith and even if they don't have that, they still do their jobs with honor and sacrifice without great courage and service, and they don't even get a mention from Bush, Cheney in these waning days.. no thanks.. no condolences for the families.. just a man patting himself on the back for a long career of "service". And McCain wants 100 years in Iraq, and when he leaves office if he wins, I wonder if he will remember to mention all those lost and their families or if he too will just remember his illustrious career... for maybe that is all that really matters to politicians. |
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| Susan |
November 3rd, 2008 1:19 pm ET p.s. and if the Bush/Cheney hears went by in a blink of the eye, and Sarah Palin claims she doesn't blink, then we are in for a long long scary ride if Obama doesn't win. |
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| Susan |
November 3rd, 2008 1:20 pm ET oops... that was WITH great courage... and without fear! in previous posting... long weekend... |
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| Viola |
November 3rd, 2008 1:23 pm ET What an amazing race. In any competition, there can only be one winner and hats off to Obama and his campaign team. After going through all the topics of this election I can only predict the winner to be Obama based on everything. Last but not least lets remove the letter L from the word Election and replace with an R.....................OBAMA WINS by a very very wide margin. |
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| JC- Los Angeles |
November 3rd, 2008 1:28 pm ET If nothing else, Tuesday's election of a new President will mercifully bring to an end the era of smug, crass, petulant and unrepentant leadership depicted by Bush, Cheney and endless corporate executives. Cheney had eight years to speak to the American people and to afford them the respect they deserve; since he chose not to, his actions now ring hollow. Bush and Cheney will forever be linked as modern day pirates and robber barons who lined their pockets with big oil money while smugly making the honest, hard working Americans and military personel walk the plank. |
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| Deepak |
November 3rd, 2008 1:29 pm ET Are you sure that was real Cheney in Wyoming? I thought he has already run away to Dubai to avoid procecution by the US goverment for fixing oil prices!!! |
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| William of Iowa |
November 3rd, 2008 1:34 pm ET I thought the Cheney's built a house in Maryland on the Chesapeake? I do think "blink of an eye" bordered on blindness for eight years and it was interesting that only two of the fifteen people from his Wyoming district showed up. Ok – I made up the last part – but they do measure the distance between towns by the number of beers it takes to travel between them. |
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| Jackie in Dallas |
November 3rd, 2008 1:44 pm ET While I am not a fan of Bush or Cheney, having voted against them in both 2000 and 2004, I wish to say something here that we should all remember. Whatever he and Bush have done that I disagree with (which just happens to be MOST of what they've done), they both have done what they thought was right. I happen to disagree with them, especially in Cheney's usurping of executive privileges, but still respect that he has stuck to his agenda, supported his President, and tried to do the right thing in this election cycle. I will be glad to see both of them gone, no matter which candidate wins, but am not filled with ideas of revenge or glee. Bush and Cheney will share the position in the history books of having the 8 years that caused some of the biggest rifts in this country since the Civil War, and of being the authors of one of the biggest financial messes of this country. I have to think that both men, and their families, are saddened and somewhat humiliated by this knowledge. There were so many places and times where a different action on their part could have meant a huge difference in the problems we are facing today. Bush and Cheney came out strong after 9/11, but faltered with Iraq and with the economy. I don't think either of them are so unaware that they do not realize that they are directly responsible for the enormous deficit, the 4000+ American lifes lost in Iraq, and the tens of thousands of lifes lost or changed for the worst among the Iraqi people. It shows in their faces, in the aging both of them have shown. While I deplore their actions and what they have done to the country I love, I can't help but feel somewhat sorry for them. While we shouldn't forget what they have done in order to prevent it from occuring again, I hope that we can forgive them, because only through forgiveness can we heal our land. |
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| Annie |
November 3rd, 2008 1:47 pm ET I was just told that Dick Cheney and others in the Bush government told John McCain that he had to pick Sarah Palin because of the oil in Alaska. Notice how the McCain-Palin ticket are pushing drilling for oil "drill baby drill" and not focusing AS MUCH on energy alternatives. Money needs to be put in developing alternative energy as this U.S. oil will eventually run dry. By the way, the majority of the oil that the U.S. imports comes from Canada. |
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| Arzi |
November 3rd, 2008 2:02 pm ET Thank God their days are almost over. Bush & Cheney are an embarrassment to this country. And if John McCain wins, he will be too |
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| Craig in Illinois |
November 3rd, 2008 2:19 pm ET Imagine that "Trickey Dick" comes out to endorse his candidate.......at the last minute did he flip a coin? |
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| Al |
November 3rd, 2008 2:39 pm ET Lieberman jinxed Gore's run for President, now he has jinxed McCain. |
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| ralph |
November 3rd, 2008 2:42 pm ET This amplifies Mr.Bush being absent. CNN reffered to it as a thorough bred not being able to run. This reminds me of a Horse Stable manager being in charge of FEMA with first responders funds completely cut as pork from the budget. Maybe that's where all the trouble with pigs came from this election cycle. |
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| Bev |
November 3rd, 2008 3:15 pm ET ". . .and by the character of its people"??? Hello Dr. Death – you could care less about the "people" of this country. Except your fellow billionaires and crooks. Can't wait to watch you and your puppet walk out of the White House. Can't come too soon!! Thanks alot for thanking the troops and their families for their sacrifices by the way – thanks to your lies.... Bev, Tonawanda, NY |
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| Gus Roncaglia |
November 3rd, 2008 3:40 pm ET Bush and Cheney should go hunting and shoot at each other by accident. |
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| Sharon Kitchen |
November 3rd, 2008 3:47 pm ET Well........when he does leave......will he go to KBR,Haliburton,or Wy? |
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| Gary L |
November 4th, 2008 1:53 am ET Dick Cheney... although I think that he is a total bum and disgrace to the office he served and the Constitution that he swore to uphold, I do not wish anything bad for him personally. But if he were to have that final heart attack (we all will die some day) then George Bush would truly be President! (I mention that, because things could be worse than they already are...) McCain is not evil ... it's just too bad that he and his campaign got caught up in the right wing, conservative, outdated Republican b.s. that panders to the ignorant, ... instead of just being himself. I truly hope and pray that Barack is all that he seems to be. Because if we ever needed another Lincoln or FDR, with an inspiration of a JFK, now is the time. |
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| Stefanie, Texas |
November 4th, 2008 5:41 am ET To Jackie in Dallas, while I think it's probably best for America to look towards the future, it's hard to forgive someone when they haven't admitted they've done wrong. Bush/Cheney should admit their wrong-doings and ask for forgiveness. Maybe then I'll be able to muster some sympathy. |
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