ROME - Dick Cheney, considered one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history, said Sarah Palin, a newcomer to the national political stage, was a good candidate and can be an effective vice president.
Republican John McCain’s surprise choice of the virtually unknown Alaska governor as his running mate in the contest for the White House has raised questions about whether she has the experience for an office that is next in line to be president.
“I think she’s a good candidate and I don’t see any reason why she can’t be an effective vice president,” Cheney told reporters travelling with him on a trip to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Italy.
Cheney, 67, a former congressman and energy executive, is considered to have wielded greater power as vice president than previous holders of that office. He was deeply involved in decision making on the Iraq war and has been one of the harshest critics of Russia in the Republican administration of President George W. Bush.
Palin, 44, a self-described “hockey mom,” is a first-term governor of Alaska and prior to that was mayor of Wasilla, a small town in that state.
In a fiery speech at the Republican convention last week, Palin touted her small-town roots and attacked her critics as out-of-touch elitists who do not understand everyday life in America.
McCain and Palin, the first female Republican vice presidential nominee, are running against Democrats Barack Obama, the first black presidential nominee, and Joe Biden, a Senate veteran, in the race for the White House that will be decided in the Nov. 4 election.
“We’ve had all kinds of vice presidents over the years and everybody brings a different set of experiences to the office and also a different kind of understanding with whoever the president is,” Cheney said.
“Each administration’s different and there’s no reason why Sarah Palin can’t be a successful vice president in a McCain administration,” he said.
“I thought her appearance at the convention was superb. I watched that with great interest. I loved some of her lines - what was the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? It’s lipstick,” Cheney said with a laugh.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Konstantin Chernichkin U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney arrives at Kiev’s airport, Sept. 4, 2008.
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I would hope America is not dumb enough to be diverted by the Republicans bullsh%@! It is the Republicans that ruined the economy, sent our young soldiers to die in Iraq, and charged us!!! Destroyed the housing market and sent gas to an all time high! Even Republicans admit that Bush and the Republican Party sucks! Palin is STILL a REPUBLICAN! Even if you love her more than you love yourself-she is STILL a REPUBLICAN! After you elect HER for president, John McCain will rear his ugly head and silence her again! Good ol’ boys back in charge! Question: Has anyone ever heard a Republican express frustration about our economy? Where do they live? Arent Republicans suffering from economic crisis as well? John McCain is the only one who seperated himself from the Republicans, and hes running for President! I want to hear one good ol’ fashioned Republican admit that the Republicans ran America in the ground! Just one! The Republicans go on T.V and defend things they know is wrong for America. The only thing I see is McCain hiding behind a womans popularity, claiming HE is tough. This nation is becoming more and more of a victim everyday. We are tricked by politicians all the time. We were tricked for the last 8 years and we want to be tricked some more. Its wierd. I may have to suffer 4 more years because of the ignorant choices that America is trying to make. If we elect a Republican AGAIN, gas prices will skyrocket, food prices will skyrocket, unemployment will rise and it will be too late to change it all! McCain is so out of touch, he isnt even talking about how he can help us today, he focuses on issues that will take several years to go into effect. How long will it take to see results from drilling? Do your research, it wont help you get gas this year or next year, ok! Palin is a con-artist, a good one! Flip Flopping all over Alaska, She is dancing as fast as she can! In a nutshell, Republicans are depending on deep seeded feelings the majority has for Obama. The majority of Americans dont feel like they can walk up to someone who resembles Obama and have the same conversation as they would with Palin. Well Im here to tell you, If you arent in Palins religion, you may be mistreated by her more than Obama! This radical isnt going to change her ways for noone! Get it right, this is not your everyday “soccer mom”.She was raised to believe the world is coming to an end and we all are going to take refuge in Alaska!!WTF! COME ON AMERICA ITS 2008-PLEASE CHANGE!!!!DONT SET US BACK ANOTHER 50 YEARS WITH THIS BACKWARDS, BACKWOODS MESS! GOD DOESNT SEND PEOPLE TO WAR!!!!CULTS SEND PEOPLE TO WAR AND PREY OVER IT! CULTS TELL YOU ARMAGEDDON IS COMING -SO LOOK OUT!!!!!!!NOT GOD! The Palin family story resembles The Beverley Hillbillies.
- Posted by roland thickReading these blogs is both fascinating and depressing. While a few articulate their views in a rationale and convincing manner, I’m learning that most Americans are amazingly stupid. I guess that’s why the Republicans have been so successful in winning these presidential elections. The disciples of Rush Limbaugh languish in their flag-waving yesteryear, and every four years the Republican party masterfully finds a way to press their buttons and eek out enough votes to win the swing states. Now they’ve dug Palin out of obscurity, and if her celebrity status can last 8 more weeks without putting her foot in her mouth, they may pull it off yet again.
I guess the saying is true: People get the government they deserve.
Really! Don’t people pay attention to Iraq, deficits, the declining dollar, our diminished stature in the world, the poor education we give our children, and the growing list of other problems we face? Those of us who care and actually worry about these things are dismissed as “liberals”. Our country is teetering on the edge of an abyss we’ll never escape from, yet we’re all excited about the Hockey Mom.
I’m sure Cheney is laughing all the way to the bank.
- Posted by Chuck from CaliforniaSarah P. was picked in the hope of dividing the Hillary clan vote between Obama and McCain. I had hoped the Hillary supporters would be mature enough to see through this tactic but I am beginning to wonder. The McCain-Palin ticket will be more of the same. If this were not so the existing Republican establishment would not support it. This country has suffered so much over the last 8 years and I hate to see the writing on the wall if McCain becomes president. Heaven forbid if something happens to McCain, then Cheney will be President again. Believe it or not, he’s been President the last eight years.
I hope we can get pass the hype and have real politicians that will address the real issues. I don’t care about the NRA, wolf hunting, moose hunting, whose mama daughter’s having a baby out of wedlock, etc., etc., etc. I do care about someone leading this country in a direction that will ensure a stable and safe future for my children.
- Posted by ObamaBiden=HOPEI wonder how many comments like this McCain/Palin are hoping for, because the obvious national disapproval of Bush/Cheney in office right now raises political liability issues. I think Palin would rather have Cheney say as little as possibl.
- Posted by LBANCHORAGE - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a “per diem” allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.
The governor also has charged the state for travel expenses to take her children on official out-of-town missions. And her husband, Todd, has billed the state for expenses and a daily allowance for trips he makes on official business for his wife.
- Posted by AMERICANWORKERSPalin has the worst characteristics of both Bush and Cheney, Bush’s religious absolutist fanaticism and Cheney’s secretive ruthlessness.
- Posted by jimboPalin mentioned at a campaign rally that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were to costly to the taxpayers. What a dumb vice president candidate can say such a thing, the fact is they are not funded by taxpayers, she has absolutely know clue about what she is talking about or what the problems are in this country, and she could be President
- Posted by lavaratWhat I had forgotten to mention eariler what you have to do with Ms.Pitbull with lipstick is to call Animal Control so they can you a Rabies shot,because of her devastating, dirty,and deadly out of control rabies.NJ
- Posted by NJ1I find McCain/Palin refreshing. May I suggest you read one of the books McCain has written. Obama believes basically in government control and he is a socialist at heart. This is what changed my mind - I would have rather had Hillary Clinton than Obama, so it’s McCain/Palin all the way. Many of you who comment about McCain and Palin with nasty remarks - you are childish. Show some class - I wouldn’t do this publically in regards to Obama.
- Posted by TravelerPeople why waste your time with these scummy libbies. It just aint worth it.
McCain/Palin 08
- Posted by Allen