Dick Cheney says Bush has been great for wildlife

Maybe what happens in Nevada should stay in Nevada.

The president was stuck in Washington, making last-minute calls in the effort to win congressional approval for a $700-billion financial rescue plan. So Vice President Dick Cheney was tapped to go to Reno in his place and address the White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy.

President Bush created the conference in 2007 via executive order, and charged it with drafting a plan to guide future wildlife conservation efforts to protect "the nation's hunting heritage."

Bush, introducing Cheney via video, explained why he was still in Washington and added, "In my place I have sent my favorite hunter."

Cheney, alluding to the 2006 accident in which he accidentally shot his hunting partner and lawyer friend Harry Whittington in the face with pellets, told the crowd he'd taken a lot of grief over the incident over the years, "most of it from the president. The president says to me, 'Here I am at 30% in the polls and you shot the only trial lawyer in Texas who supports me.' "

Then Cheney launched into his rendition of why Bush will be remembered as a great conservationist. The vice president said the White House is even now expanding its efforts in conservation.

Over the next five years, even after Bush has left the White House, Cheney said the administration will have put into place tax incentives that could add 7 million acres to the Conservation Reserve and restore 4 million acres of wetlands.

"Conservation tax incentives have proven extremely effective," he said, urging that they be made a permanent part of the tax code.

-- Johanna Neuman and James Gerstenzang

Photo: Dick Cheney hunting in Gettysburg, S.D. 2002. Credit: David Bohrer / The White House

Comments

[calchris]

There's nothing to hunt Dickie. Bushie boy and you are dead ducks.

[Jon R]

You get to the point where you wonder if they actually believe one word of their own garbage.

[Anne W.]

Bush HAS been great for wildlife. He has supported more weasels than any other president in history of the nation.

[E.A.]

Bush saying that he is a great conservationist and "protector" of the Environment is like me saying that I'm People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive. Come On????!!!!!

And for the recored, I'm a big paunchy lug of a guy.

[Troyce Key]

Anne W hahahaha

[Wily Trax]

I'm sure Cheney was himself at the conference.

Still not shooting straight.

http://www.wilytrax.com