Sorry, use of the word is use of the word. It's not going to make one whit of difference if either Cheney or Kerry uses it, and it doesn't bother me either way.
It bothers me that someone would use it to win votes. My belief is that that is what Kerry did.
Essentially, whether or not you think Mr. Cheney was "appropriate" or whatever, golly, somebody saying that to the scumbag Leahy is L O N G O V E R D U E. I say, "It's about time. Let him have it!" The only surprise Leahy had was that that was ALL Cheney said. Leahy is a scumbag - naner, naner, naner.