The
idea of "crony capitalism" is a legitimate concern, and should always be monitored under any administration (see: Clinton, Travel Office). The problem with hounding Bush with it is that it plays on a general public ignorance of realities. Services rendered by Haliburton are not services readily available from a wide swath of the corporate world.
It's like criticizing a president (or VP) who knows the CEO of Boeing for buying airplanes from them. The bottom line is that Bush, Cheney, and their "cronies" are already filthy rich; they do business because that's what they do.
Real "crony capitalism" is alive and well in Malaysia, Thailand, France, China, etc. It is a big problem as it restricts the growth of new industry by restricting competition. To apply it in our situation is absurd.