"Iraq is now Bush's baby, and Cheney doesn't want to be tarred with it in the eyes of historians."

[sabra]

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_061213.htm

<snip>

Cheney Lying Low Following ISG Report

What's become of Dick Cheney? Washington insiders are buzzing over the fact that the Vice President has been publicly silent and mostly out of sight since the Iraq Study Group issued its long-awaited report last week. White House insiders tell the US News Political Bulletin Cheney is playing an inside game, advising President Bush privately not to change course too much in Iraq, not to withdraw US troops any time soon, and not to talk directly with the hard-line regimes in Iran and Syria about the situation. Cheney, an architect of current policy, is waiting for Bush to decide what to do next before he speaks out. At that point, insiders say, he will go public to sell the President's decision around the country, especially in speeches to conservative audiences who still have a high regard for Cheney, even though his popularity with the public is very low. A former associate who worked closely with Cheney for years says there may be another reason. "I think we'll see less of him than ever," says the associate. "Iraq is now Bush's baby, and Cheney doesn't want to be tarred with it in the eyes of historians." Meanwhile, as Bush meets this week with State Department advisers, outside experts, Pentagon officials, and others about the war to come up with a "new way forward," Cheney has been at his side, taking extensive notes but mostly staying mum, at least at the meetings.

[npincus]

1. Cheney is 'Cutting and Running' from the disaster he birthed.

Figures.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Jeez, that's so nuts when ya think about it...

a Vice Pretzeldent trying to separate his legacy from that of the Pretzy after having probly been the one who drove the whole thing into the ditch in the first place.

Sure, Humphrey went down because of his too-close association with LBJ, & Gore's service with Clinton cost him some votes (while probly gaining him others), but in this case it's like Cheney is using Bush as the ultimate scapegoat, as if Bush ever had a notion about policy that hadn't been planted there by the likes of Cheney, Rummy, Condi, Wolfowitz et al.

[bryant69]

3. How is he going to duck being tainted with a war he pushed for?

I mean in the short term maybe. But even that doesn't seem all that likely. Are people going to forget how many statements he made supporting the war, statements in which he went further than President Bush in promising a cakewalk and in promsing that we could win this war in a timely manner?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Those two are so connected, Cheney will never be able to dig a

tunnel deep enough to escape the wrath of history. At 19%, I'm inclined to believe this article is way off target.

[catmandu57]

10. He's tied forever more to this debacle

One that he was chief in getting going, no matter how much and how hot the water he'll never wash the stench off.

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. Wiser men would have resisted going as far as Cheney did, because

they knew that their reputations meant something. Cheney must have either convinced himself that he had enough money to construct his own reputation, or really doesn't give a shit what history thinks of him. Either way, he didn't fit the profile to be a good Vice President, and I can't believe there were no markers to tip us all off before the 2000 election. Shame on every pundit in America who helped those two get elected.

[gasperc]

11. his undisclosed location has gotten new meaning

where I can go and hide from my stupid and hideous decisions.

[radfringe]

5. we need a CHENEY cam

log on and see if you can see cheney exiting the bunker..

[jody]

6. Cheney is trying to avoid prosecution for his war crimes -- by courts, We the People, history.

Sorry Uncle Dick but you'll be sentenced by two out of three.

That's probably all we can expect in todays political climate.

[jsamuel]

7. building up a Cheney resignation?

[Dhalgren]

8. I don't think Cheney gives a good goddamn what "history" says.

I think that Cheney was given his orders in Saudi Arabia a couple of weeks ago and whatever he is or is not doing is in line with his bosses' wishes. Cheney cares about power and money, and if the power is on the wain, then make sure you replace it with loads of cash. That is what cheney cares about. History? Please....

[riderinthestorm]

14. I agree with you. He's watching to see how the ISG fallout plays out with everyone

and plotting how to maneuver them into doing what he needs. I have no doubt he is quietly manipulating things to ensure he does what needs doing to keep milking the cash cow in Iraq, both for himself and his Saudi masters and his corporate masters and BFEE and the Carlyle Group and....

[lilymidnite]

9. Despicable excuse for a human being

Much as I abhor Bush, this is despicable of Cheney to allow the tar that history will throw
regarding the Iraq war to stick only on Bush. Cheney and his PNAC cohorts were the driving force
behind this entire thing.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. Well, I think Waxman and Conyers may have something to say about that.

:) He may try to hide, but he'll be lured out of his snake hole with subpoenas. History will not be kind to that warmongering, greedy murderer.

[wryter2000]

16. I'll bet you he'll try defying any subpena

I think 2007 is going to be very, very interesting.

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. Yes, 2007 is going to be a real interesting year. I cannot wait to watch the hearings

and see those people squirm when confronted by Waxman and Conyers. Cheney will try to defy the subpoenas, but they have ways of getting to the TRUTH. He will pay for what he's done if Conyers and Waxman have anything to do with it.:evilgrin:

[madokie]

13. he's too busy trying to prove it, ISG, wrong to have time to come out of his hole, methinks