Dick Cheney: The November surprise?

Democrat Barack Obama 's presidential campaign unveiled a new 30-second spot today that targets rival Republican John McCain for having the support of ... Vice President Dick Cheney.

With an open that notes Obama's recent endorsements from former Secretary of State Colin Powell and fabled investor Warren Buffet, the ad then cuts to Cheney at a campaign event Saturday in Wyoming, his home state, one of the dwindling number in the safely Republican column. In the footage, Cheney says:

I'm delighted to support John McCain. I'm pleased that he's chosen a running mate with executive talent, toughness and common sense, our next vice president Sarah Palin.

It's kind of unusual for a presidential campaign to target the other side for having the support of its team. But Cheney and President Bush both are down in public opinion polls so the Obama campaign elected to use the footage to underscore its theme that McCain's policies would result in a third Bush term.

Noting McCain's support for the White House "90% of the time," the ad concludes, "That's not the change we need."

— Johanna Neuman

Comments

[Anne]

I would like to share my worried Democrat friend's conspiracy theory. The mess left by the Republican administration is so huge (e.g., 2 wars, economic meltdown, crumbling infrastructure, not to mention torture etc.) that smart Republicans decided to run a couple of incompetent clowns as the Republican candidates. They would be so incoherent and dumb that even Republicans would vote for Democrats. After the Dem victory It would be so difficult and long to clean things up that people would vote Republican again at the next elections.

Given that: 1) McCain/Palin are performing beyond expectations in the stupidity area - cf. Palin's Russia spotting, Joe the unlicenced, clueless plumber as poster child? 2) that even Republicans are voting for Obama, I am beginning to believe that this theory may be correct

[RAY]

America we are selfless
Before you vote you need to realize that what we are going through is bigger than any president or party, or America itself. It is called globalization. The world economy is becoming one.
As the economy grows in undeveloped countries (China, India, Brazil and Africa, ¾ of the worlds population) it will shrink in developed countries (US, the EU, Russia.) Over a period of time our wages and cost of living will go down and theirs will go up as it is doing now. Call it leveling the playing field. It has been happening over the last fifteen years and we can not stop it. When it is leveled there will be a demand for us to start to manufacture products again.
We have two choices. We can opt out and let the world go on with out us. That would be a big mistake. Or we can fight it and lose our edge. But it will happen with or without us.
Under Bush the market was driven by credit that keep up our lifestyle. Basically we spent more then we made to keep up our life style. The derivates were the straw that broke the back. This we will recover from in due time.
The blue collar manufacturing class is gone it will not come back until wages level out world wide. As wages decrease the cost of living will too. We can always manufacture a product but we have to have a market that has the money to buy it. As in the past America produces 45% more then it can consume so we need the worlds market.
McCain sees this and Obama doesn’t
McCain wants a freeze on taxes and government services to rein in spending.
Obama wants to isolate us through reducing free trade, tax corporations which slows growth, create social programs, grow government, and let our Children, Grand children, and great grand children to deal with it.
We happen to be the richest market but not the only one. It will happen whether we like it or not. We need to take the hit now. The market will adjust, our life style will change and our children have a better life.

[Victor Nunnally]

It doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to realize that the Republicans are trying to lose this election. Why?

[ThePhotogsBlog]

Another brilliant strategic move from John S. (as in "Stupid") McKamikaze. Maybe if you ask them nicely, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz will endorse you also. Don't forget Feith and Perl.

[Jody]

"Emotiins are no substitute for brains. When the Democrats bring all our troops home so they can fight the war on American soil and in American streets, the public will be crying for people like Cheney to save their sorry butts."
Posted by: roneida

Well said, I agree wholeheartedly.

"You were for McCain before Chaney's endorsement? I am still for McCain and will not stop fighting for him. Have you ever looked at Obama's endorsements? Or have they just slipped your mind? He has associated with some of the most terrible people in the U.S. and you are worried about Chaney? At least they kept our nation safe after 9-11. Obama's friends still haven't quite finished yet!! Just remember You get what you vote for.

Posted by: Jane"

Thank you Jane....somehow they people forget how good they actually have here in the US, but they're willing to give it all up with a vote for Obama

[Benjamin]

""Love him or hate him, there are few people who will state that Dick Cheney is not the toughest SOB in the government" - Lol, he's a draft dodger!"

Draft dodging, like dissent, is only bad if a non-republican does it. If a republican does it, it's a sign of how tough they are, how much they love America, and how good of a public servant they are. Just ask a republican, they'll tell you that the worst republican draft dodger is more of a real american than the most highly decorated non-republican veteran. Face the facts, only republicans are real americans.

[Sher]

I can see it now... If McCain wins, he takes Sarah to DC to confuse congress even more and puts Joe the Plumber in as a Chief Justice. Cainy is just plain off his rocker.

[mishi]

"Love him or hate him, there are few people who will state that Dick Cheney is not the toughest SOB in the government. Any of you star gazers from the left want to out smart or out tough him.?"

Yeah, well, Mussolini was tough, too, and so was Attila the Hun. Cheney-the-brilliant-toughie was a prime force in starting a misbegotten war on trumped-up charges, making torture an instrument of national policy, shredding the Constitution, and running the VP's office with the grace of a banana-republic despot. If Cheney, aka "Bush's brain," is so bloody brilliant, how come we're in the mess we're in? Oh, I know: it's all William Ayers' fault.

[SadAmerican]

Poor McCain, he can't escape from the Bush sleaze ... now he gets Cheney's support ... Has Obama & his supporters stopped laughing yet ?

[terriann49]

Cheney tough? you mistake stubborness, closed mindednss and the "my way or the way' as tough. Cheney made so many bad decsions and mistakes in office, You'd be stupid to support him.

[Will Flood]

Cheney? Tough? That's a laugh. He's spent the past seven years working in a bunker under FEMA's COG plans.

When will your repubs wake up and realize that we don't need a "fighter" - we need a THINKER. The solution to every problem isn't to just kill it.

[terry Godfrey]

I can't help but remember that Bush was re-elected to a second term with the country knowing that he deceived us. The same people who elected him to begin with would probably re-elect him again if they had the opportunity.

[Michael]

The problem is - Cheney never, ever got it right. He's a loser. Not cool to be backed by a loser. Kiss of death...

There is a difference in tough and arrogant. dick Cheney cares only about what he wants. He thinks it is fine that we are waging a war in Iraq - and the Iraqi's are not responsible for 9/11. Does Cheney care about our men and women in battle - they don't even have the proper equipment they need - do you think America will take care of them as they age.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
He (Cheney) had "important things to do" rather than serve his country. He is the opposite of tough - he is cowardly and arrogant.
America needs to be rid of leaders (???) like him.
We are capable of so much more - together - as Americans. Let's end the division in our country and rise above it all. Stop the fear and division tactics.
Remember the days when America embraced different opinions instead of trying to crush them.
Go Obama - I wish you strength and vision when you win the Presidency.

[Florenzo]

Why did Dick do it? He is not stupid. He surely must have known what doing this would do? Do Dufus and him hate McCain that much? It just does not make sense.

[TrueFan1947]

Of COURSE the entire locus of political discourse in the USA has shifted dramatically to the right ever since Ronald Reagan began his assault on democracy! Of COURSE the Liberals within the Democratic party have been pushed rightward ever since the military-industrial complex and the Pentagon began to command such enormous power over the national economy! Obama CANNOT single-handedly reverse over 60 years of militaristic dominance, but he CAN resist the insidious influence that the JCS exerted upon JFK and LBJ. He CAN understand how historically the Pentagon has done everything in its power to grow and aggrandize its sphere of influence within our nation's economic life. He CAN stimulate a far-reaching public debate on the PROPER role of the military in a truly democratic First World post-industrial society. He CAN assert the right of the government to properly manage the business cycle in order to prevent the types of abuses that led to the Crash of 1929 and the Meltdown of 2008!

Obama CAN explode the myths of "deregulation", "privatization", "compassionate conservatism", "trickle-down economics", "monetarism", "free markets" and a host of other fabrications by means of which corporate tools and apologists like Alan Greenspan have enabled the elite to amass enormous wealth at public expense!

Obama CAN initiate a series of programs that will use public funding to support education, sanitation, medical research, rebuilding of our near-shattered infrastructure, and provide a decent level of affordable healthcare to all citizens. These are NOT ENTITLEMENTS! They are RIGHTS, earned by US, the CITIZENS, with our TAX DOLLARS!!

Obama CAN begin to focus upon this theme. He CAN initiate a massive public debate that educates our citizens about the fallacies of the elite agenda that has been rammed down America's throat over these last 28 years!

Obama CAN begin to expose the cynical ruse of neoconservative terminology! He CAN begin his own "fireside chats" to the American people. In those chats he can address many of the abuses that have been unleashed against our public in the name of "security" and "patriotism". He CAN discuss in detail why the public sector is VITAL in its role as watchdog, to PREVENT massive profit-taking by private companies at PUBLIC EXPENSE!

Obama CAN point out for all our citizens, exactly how and why government in a modern capitalist economy has an obligation to exert its influence in such a way as to guarantee that allocation of human and natural resources benefit society as a WHOLE!

Obama CAN explode the fallacy that "the market" will regulate itself! He can explode the fallacy that "the unfettered market" will properly determine the best way to "spend" our wealth and resources as a nation!
In fact, the LARGER the margin of VICTORY in this crucial election, the GREATER will be the influence our citizenry exert upon the executive branch led by Barack Obama. The President under such circumstances will be JUSTIFIED in claiming a true and real MANDATE for change! There are a multitude of things that Obama CAN accomplish if he receives a HUGE percentage of the popular vote, and if the Democrats gain a HUGE electoral triumph in all races, local, state and Federal. Under THOSE circumstances, Obama will have enough popular and legislative support to drive several programs that put PEOPLE FIRST.

There is no question that the “business community” (read here “wealthy elite”) will be adamantly opposed to many of Obama’s efforts. He will have to craft an approach that is morally and pragmatically unassailable. He has the astuteness to select outstanding personnel to staff his administration. He has the brilliance of mind to formulate policies that will enhance our stature in the world, without alienating us from the international community. He has the perspicacity to consider long-term effects of tactics, policies, procedures and legislation that are implemented in the short term. He has the personal charisma to mobilize, galvanize and revitalize a huge segment of our citizenry for public service. His resume so far offers ample evidence of these and many other valuable qualities that have been woefully absent from our nation’s “leadership team” over the past 8 years!

America desperately NEEDS genuine leadership, statesmanship, diplomacy, and a much more highly-evolved consciousness in positions of authority, more NOW than perhaps ever before in our history. John Kenneth Galbraith would, were he alive today, be QUITE optimistic about an Obama presidency. So too would JFK and RFK were they alive today! So too would Martin Luther King and many of the giants of the Civil Rights Movement who are no longer with us. Barack Obama is squarely within the tradition of the best and brightest political minds that have guided our nation through previous difficult times. FDR and his New Deal Brain Trust come to mind. Barack Obama is a Constitutional Law specialist! He is a community organizer! He is a U.S. Senator! He is a forward-thinking man of the people! He has a calling and he has the makings to fulfill the promise of our citizenry’s desire for meaningful dialogue about important issues! What we desperately need as a nation, as a body politic, as a citizenry can, and by right ought to be provided by an informed candidate with all the leadership qualities of Barack Obama. We will find out a LOT on November 4 regarding the future direction of our nation.

[M J K]

Jane,

Bush and Cheney were not smart enough to keep us safe FROM 9/11. "Bin Laden determined to strike in US" could not have been clearer. Obama WILL keep us safe by deploying diplomacy and getting us out of Iraq responsibly. The $341 million we are wasting in Iraq every day will help us solve the economic crisis that has become this administration's legacy.

[Allen]

Are we winning the war on terror because there are fewer deaths in Iraq or are we losing because Al Qeada is achieving their goal of bankrupting us like they think they did the Russians? Regan bankrupt the Russians, not Al Qaeda but they think they did it. They want to bring us down economically and as far as I can see, under Bush/ McCain they are doing a pretty good job. We need to think on a higher level and that is what Obama will do.

[Benighse]

GO VOTE.....OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN NEVADA....

NOW HERE IS THE TILT FROM LAST TIME====OBAMA vs. McCain: Who has better REAL TIME POLL numbers?????.....REALLY NOW, CHECK THIS OUT.....Last time in 2004 we were 1-1 in my family, now with two first time additional presidential voters, our household is 4-0 for OBAMA....

----So let me see how things are when other family, friends and co-workers are asked... Last time I was ONE vote versus my republican wife, republican brother-in-law, his republican wife and republican daughter, and the three republican co-workers and republican mother-in-law, along with two new independent daughters voting for the first time, and four other republican friends who now have REPUBLICANS FOR OBAMA stickers on their cars....That makes this year 14-1 for OBAMA (the one is a person who votes republican even if there is no known name associated with it) versus 1-12 for Bush in 2004----BIG CHANGE.....ANY QUESTIONS???...LESSON LEARNED!!!!....THANK YOU, and Please join in....2 DAYS ''TIL====OBAMA / BIDEN ''08.

[daffy duck]

It's over for 16 years at least for the GOP...
Welcome to the Democratic Party former Republicans
who have a Clue

Dick Cheney is, by far, neither the toughest nor the smartest member of our government. Did HE spend years at the Hanoi Hilton? No, in fact when Cheney became eligible for the draft, he was a supporter of the Vietnam War but did not serve in the military. Instead, he applied for and received five draft deferments. He applied for his fifth exemption on January 19, 1966, when his wife was about 10 weeks pregnant. He was granted 3-A status, the "hardship" exemption, which excluded men with children or dependent parents. In January 1967, Cheney turned 26 and was no longer eligible for the draft. Tough fella huh.

[Raz]

Cheney sure did "think out," not "feel out" his positions. Straight to the bank in this war for oil. I'm looking forward to having an executive team again that actually has a conscience, compassion and feelings. Bush and Cheney have the worst approval ratings in the history of this country since Hoover. I feel sad for that 22% because there's obviously some deficiency in their brains and hearts. Neither of them will go on to do any good in this world once they're gone as have the likes of Carter, Clinton, Gore and Bush Sr. They'll just go back to their ranches, get fatter on their oil riches and die bitter old men who are too stupid to realize why they're disliked so much. Of course, I'd rather see them prove me wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

[underdog]

"At least they kept our nation safe after 9-11."

YEAH. And they were only IN OFFICE FOR NINE MONTHS before and during the worst attack EVER on the US.

They kept us safe? HOW? Do the over 4000 troops that died in Iraq feel safe? That war never should have been started. Now we Americans are hated (and yes feared) in the rest of the world. That doesn't keep us safe. Or are you planning on hiding "safely" inside our national borders for the rest of your life?

We need someone with vision to pull us out of this nightmare and Obama/Biden is the ticket.

[Dan]

Mr. Roneida writes: 'When the Democrats bring all our troops home so they can fight the war on American soil and in American streets, the public will be crying for people like Cheney to save their sorry butts."

This was the same tired thing war-hawks said during the Vietnam era. Fight the Communists in Vietnam or in San Diego. We lost that war, and so far anyway, San Diego appears safe.

One of my favorite sayings is "War is young men dying and old men talking." Nobody in Iraq was threatening us, but we went to war anyway. Young men died and old men, like Cheney (who was never in the military), talked.