Cheney: Dem Attacks 'Beyond the Pale'

NewsMax ^ | 1/22/04 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Vice President Dick Cheney complained late Wednesday that the recent spate of ugly attacks from several Democratic presidential candidates have been "beyond the pale."

"I really think some of the comments have been beyond the pale, over the line," Cheney told nationally syndicated radio host Sean Hannity. "The level of debate and dialogue in the political arena this year has fallen to a pretty distinctive low."

Cheney said the Democratic rhetoric "says a lot more about those who are launching those attacks than it says about the president or this administration," adding, "I think it's too bad that they feel that's what they have to do in order to win votes on their side of the aisle."

Cheney decried the level of campaign discourse after Hannity asked about comments by Sen. Ted Kennedy, Dennis Kucinich, Rev. Al Sharpton and Howard Dean blasting President Bush for his handling of the Iraq war.

Of Dean's ranting concession speech, which has all but turned his campaign into a national joke, Cheney said, "It wasn't the normal kind of concession speech. . . . Of course, part of what happens to campaigns is that people go through the meat grinder, if you will, and they're put under a lot of pressure.

"It's one way we learn about the qualities or lack of qualities of various candidates," Cheney told Hannity.

[mattdono]

Of Dean's ranting concession speech, which has all but turned his campaign into a national joke, Cheney said, "It wasn't the normal kind of concession speech

That is AWESOME! I love him; he has such a way of framing issues in the most dry, but common sense way. It is also an interesting way for the Vice President to (rightly) call Howie "Maddog" Dean abnormal.

[Peach]

The jeers on the Rat side when President Bush mentioned the Patriot Act was also a first, I believe. They sounded more like the British Parliament.

[CasearianDaoist]

I would say he was "droll" not "dry." We are so fortunate to have a man like this in there during this time.

[billorites]

Wouldn't you love to see Howard Dean and Dick Cheney face off?

[Porterville]

This low level of debate happened in the past... especially during the 19th century.

[r9etb]

The jeers on the Rat side when President Bush mentioned the Patriot Act was also a first, I believe. They sounded more like the British Parliament.

Actually, no -- the R's jeered Clinton at the '95 SOTU on something about budget accounting, and he blasted them to shreds. It was an unfortunate foreshadowing of how he'd steamroll Gingrich in the years to follow.

[Russ]

I look forward to watching Cheney face off with whoever the Dems nominate for VP. Hopefully, the empty suit from North Carolina or the shrew from NY.

[mattdono]

(I always thought droll was a negative term; that your point was being made through deceit or trickery)...Regardless of the word we might use, he put things so well and I totally agree with you that we are very fortunate.

As a student of history (maybe not a "buff"), I can't think of a better, more effective Vice President. And why? Becuase he has no desire to be President; he selflessly serves the President and the American people.

Interesting that this man --this righteous man-- is the object of so much of the left's hate.

[kylaka]

Would that coincide with the last time the democrats were hopelessly out of power?

[over3Owithabrain]

The problem with Gingrich was twofold - his ego and knowing he was vulnerable on personal character. He was bright and initially effective, but too easy to demonize. He's better off in a think tank. Not trustworthy or likeable enough to carry the GOP torch politically. W is much better in those regards. Clinton was lucky to have his enemies, much like W is now.

[r9etb]

You're right about Gingrich. IMHO his biggest failing was that he was too much like Clinton, but not nearly up to the task of managing the House Republicans. Way too visible, and way too outspoken.

Compare him to Denny Hastert, who by all accounts is very effective. You almost never hear his name in the news -- he lets Tom DeLay draw fire (and Tom seems to relish that role).

[William McKinley]

I love this zinger. I wonder if they even felt the razor as it glided across their skin: "It's one way we learn about the qualities or lack of qualities of various candidates,"

[CommandoFrank]

It's going to be very interesting to watch the Kerry/Edwards battle with their negative/positive message tactics. Who will win?

I'll bet on Kerry with his Bush bashing tactics as the Dumbocrats can't see the forest through the trees... They enjoy spewing hate!

[CasearianDaoist]

And why? Because he has no desire to be President; he selflessly serves the President and the American people.

Well it doesn't hurt that he is perhaps the smartest, most experienced public servant in the country, and that he is tough as nails, and that he is a patriot. The media really does not try to go after him much...there is a reason for that. They are scared to death of him. I love the guy...he is the best.

Droll means oddly amusing or wryly amusing (sometimes whimsically amusing.) I am not familiar with a negative meaning.

[Gordian Blade]

or the shrew from NY

Be careful what you wish for. Rick Lazio tried to be tough on Hillary in a debate and it blew up in his face. Rush said this then and it's still true: "You can't be mean to the girl."

[savedbygrace]

From Merriam Webster Online:

Main Entry: 1 droll
Pronunciation: 'drOl
Function: adjective
Etymology: French drôle, from drôle scamp, from Middle French drolle, from Middle Dutch, imp
Date: 1623
: having a humorous, whimsical, or odd quality

[Solson]

Kerry will win the debate but the fact that Kerry, Clark, Dean and Edwards are all still significant in this race is GREAT for Republicans. Most of these guys will continue to spend a lot to try and win thus depleting their finances. Moreover, the bloodletting and attacking each other will be the only way to differentiate themselves.

I think it's great. I've been saying for some time that Clark would be the nominee. I'm not nearly so sure of that anymore but Clark has done one heck of a job derailing the Dean train. Perhaps that's all the Clintons wanted.

I suspect Kerry will win New Hampshire easily, Edwards will win South Carolina as well as some other Southern States and Dean will continue to be some sort of presence.

Clark will fad rapidly after New Hampshire and South Carolina and leave the race.

Dean's ground game and considerable funds leave his as a wildcard. I don't think he will be one to bow out, even if he loses in NH, SC, and the others.

Let the bloodletting continue.

[Peach]

You may well be right. But I don't believe I've ever missed a SOTU address and I do not remember any jeering on any side ever before. If indeed the Republicans did that, it's wrongheaded.

[solo gringo]

Dick Cheney would chew that punk up and spit him out.Dean would think some one had released the hounds on him.