Dick Cheney: 'no reason' Sarah Palin can't be vice president

Dick Cheney, arguably the most powerful vice president in history, told reporters today that he "loved" Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's speech to the GOP last week, especially the line about how a hockey mom (oops...we called her a soccer mom in an earlier version) is a pit bull with lipstick.

During a stop in Rome on his return from a trip to Georgia and Europe that took him out of the country during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Cheney called Palin's appearance there "superb." Asked if she could handle the vice presidency in a John McCain administration, Cheney said:

Everybody brings a different set of experiences to the office and also has a different kind of understanding with whoever the president is. Each administration is different. And there's no reason why Sarah Palin can't be a successful vice president in a McCain administration.

Although it wouldn't look like other recent Republican administrations -- Cheney cited his own under George W. Bush, Dan Quayle's under George H.W. Bush and Nelson Rockefeller's under Gerald R. Ford -- the current vice president said a Palin term would be "relatively unique to this president and this time that they're in office."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was more circumspect. In an interview with CNN over the weekend after her trip to Libya, Rice said Palin "gave a terrific speech." But the secretary declined to play when it came to questions concerning the Alaska governor's experience in foreign affairs. "These are decisions that Sen. McCain has made," she said. "I have great confidence in him."

Rice said it would not be appropriate for her, as secretary of State, to get involved in the election, and that she would be "the last" person to advise Palin as she prepares for her debate against Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Pressed on the experience question, Rice added, "There are different kinds of experience in life that help one to deal with matters of foreign policy."

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo: Alberto Pellaschiar AP

Comments

[basementfrog]

How big of Dick.

Who would believe the republicans would bring in the first true communist subversive to our government. The left should give this woman a chance.

Last year, 2007, Alaska's legislature approved a major tax increase on those windfall profits of the oil industry. The state of Alaska has received more than $10 billion this year from oil revenue.

Thanks to the addition of these new taxes, that is double the amount it received the year before. The idea on how to spend the money comes from Alaska's governor Sarah Palin. Her administration now gives $1,200 to every single Alaskan to help them pay for gas. On top of that, each resident will receive an annual dividend of $2,000 from an oil-wealth savings account. Think what a family of 7 could do with that money (Gov. Palin has 7 members in her family).

That's a fancy way of describing wealth redistribution , i.e., downright communism. And that is real change we can believe in. Will she do the same for the Lower 48 states?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvPNXYrIyI

Secession party 6 months ago. 7 year membership

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PizrJLV30yI&feature=related

God will punish American – her pastor

Two months before the election we are not looking into her background and subversion of the U.S. No. we are preoccuplied with her instant celebrity status. Her coming interview with ABC morning talk show host rahter than a real reporter who spent a career investigating politicians is the biggest joke of all.

Michelle Obama says she is proud of her country for the first time, and the media goes crazy on her. This women and her husband are communits and secessionist, therefore the most unamerican couple to be elected and we are preoccupied with her being a soccer mom.

Well, in my state I want to know why Arnold Schwareznegger hasn't go those big fact checks from the oil companies for every citizen of California. What's wrong with him? Common Arnie, get us on that gravey train, too.

[Sebilrazen]

It was hockey mom, not soccer mom.

[Gloria Poole,RN]

I think that Sarah Palin will make an outstanding VP; and later maybe the First Woman President! I respect Condileeza Rice and VP Cheney and I think they also have both served this nation very well.

Sarah Palin and John McCain are the best hope of a future for this nation because they believe that the nation must have children born in large numbers to repopulate and to hold our own in the world. They are strong, committed to ideals and don't put personal convenience ahead of what is good for the nation presently and in the future also. All children conceived must be born alive! There has to be legal protections for the innocent preborn/unborn human beings if the US is to continue into the future.
signed gloria poole,RN and artist, 'gloriapoole' Denver CO 80203

[Dave]

Lets get real for a few minutes. She said it herself "Pitbull" well Pit Bulls fight or die just ask vick. Yet the GOP has her hiding away from the news. IF she is so ready to lead put her on Meet the Press next week or Face the Nation. I am so sick of the cheap Mccain tactics i could die. He found out that he like bush couldnt make us afraid of it so he gets a woman that no one knows that looks good and hides her in the closet. This just might work because people in america are just that stupid.

[Lorelei Mission]

Cheney endorses Palin? That's a reason to be scared of her right there.

[Suzie]

I'm an old-fashioned, populist (Hillary Clinton) type of feminist and yeah, I agree that "soccer moms" are "pit bulls with lipstick" - but to me that is not a compliment. Those women who take it as one probably drive a Hummer and would happily let those less fortunate than themselves "eat cake."

[FunnyBunny]

Personal views on abortion, god and guns should not play into politics however it does. The bottom line is what are the positions and values of the potential leaders of our nation? If you align with one set over the other than vote that way.

It is important though to recognize the direction of the USA and what the risks and outcomes can be potentially. It is our leaders decisions and actions that will make or break your place in your home, job and future. It's evident that the current party and leaders rub the leaders of other nations wrong. A continuation of these policies and practices will further isolate and devalue the USA. All you have to do is live abroad for two or more years to listen to how 'dumb' Americans are viewed because of the last 8 years of our failed leadership.

[Inverse137]

I think Dick's entire quote was:

"She doesn't have a personal interest in manipulating the events and economy for personal gain. And, like me, she has no experience in Federal politics or International diplomacy. But other than that, I see no reason why she couldn't do the job."

Please try to get the quotes accurate in the future.

[larry]

>>Dick Cheney: 'no reason' Sarah Palin can't be vice president
I heard Palin was a sharp shooter.
Cheney probably made the comment after looking at his quail shotgun.

[Kimberly]

Gloria,

Is that REALLY your rationalization? Good grief.

[Tom J]

Why ask Cheney if Palin is capable of being Vice President? The obivous and important question is whether she's capable of being President.

[Tom J]

Raise your hand if you think "Gloria Poole, RN' has read that bit in the new Republican platform that makes NO exceptions for abortions, including the life of the mother.

[wolf]

Doesn't anyone care, that Palin has ties to separatist movements, is anti-environment, anti-women's rights, and involved in multiple scandals within her state?

[smartgirl]

Glad you feel that way, I don't want to hear you complain about paying out the welfare checks and raising taxes for social programs for all those unwanted babies! Whats good for the nation is to use some common sense and the world is already overpopulated why would we want to continue adding to that?

[KProctor]

Just as Cheney was Bush's Puppet Master, the Neo Con heart of the Republican Party will always be there to pull Palin's strings. I will stay loyal to my own principals and vote for Bob Barr in November.

[Greg]

So every one who was involved in this whole debacle that needs changing, now supports the same party with the same policy's to make the change. .......What is the definition of a fool again.

[Lauri]

Gee, ya think?
And what a shock that he would support a conservative right-winger!
Just what we were waiting for: The opinion of the worst, most secretive, wheeler-dealer Vice President in our nation's history.

Dick Cheney's nickname, "Darth Vader," is well-earned. He is a nasty, self-serving businessman who got into office because of his ties to Bush senior. All he has been interested in is quietly hiding while he lines his deep pockets and those of his oil company cronies.

Good riddance! It is time for a change - the Republicans are not interested in helping the 95% of the country who are suffering because of the present state of the economy, etc. If anyone who is being affected by the recent problems here in the U.S. - sky-high health care, high gas prices, etc. - doesn't realize that she or he must vote for a Democrat they are ignorant or in denial. Wake up before it is too late:

Obama and Biden must win to avoid a depression in the U.S. We can not afford another 4 years of war which is costing trillions of dollars, especially since the Iraqi's are earning billions of dollars, monthly, on oil.

Please open your mind and help your country.

[Todd]

After all, Dick allowed W to be vice-president.

[Linda]

With all of Sarah Palin's vices, indeed she would make a great VICE president!

[Paula]

If you couldn't tell she was a hockey mom than you must not of paid very much attention to her speech at the RNC. I really don't understand how a woman calling herself a dog with lipstick is a very positive thing to say. I would think someone who has enough experience to be VP would have other analogies to say she is tough besides calling herself a dog.

[Jack]

Dicky boy is a true American redneck that would make Hitler proud. I like to know what happened that our culture has so many dead brains. Total Corruption in the name of religion and freedom just like 3rd world countries.

[Bev Modia]

Dick Cheney's support is the best reason I can think of to not support McCain/Palin. Why perpetuate the Republican's abuse of power and culture of corruption?

[Steve Hanes]

I don't know whether Dick Cheney is the most powerful Vice President, but he is certainly the most evil. His shenanigans make the crimes of Richard Nixon look like misdemeanors. After all, Tricky Dick merely lied and tried to illegally grab absolute power while Cheney instigated the murder of thousands of innocent Iraqis.

[marco escobar]

I'm surprised that Darth Chenney supports Mrs. Harper Valley PTA Palin as a good choice for VP thats so antipublican!

[Joseph]

None of Palin's speech touched on anything important like the economy, health care, education. She isn't the one being elected for the presidency. it's Mcaine good guy but republican. No thanks.