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Frist won't criticize Cheney for cursing
AP | 6/27/04

Posted on 06/27/2004 9:44:32 AM PDT by kattracks

WASHINGTON (AP) — Majority Leader Bill Frist refused on Sunday to criticize Vice President Dick Cheney for cursing on the floor of the Senate in a confrontation with a Democratic senator.

The Tennessee Republican indicated that Cheney's outburst at Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., can be attributed to political passions aroused by the election year. As vice president, Cheney acts as president of the Senate, although the majority leader has more authority over the body's operations.

On Tuesday, as Cheney and the senators gathered in the chamber for a photograph, Leahy struck up a conversation. Cheney challenged the senator about his frequent criticism of Halliburton Co., which Cheney formerly headed. In response, Leahy attacked the White House for not interceding when Leahy and other Democrats were portrayed as prejudiced against Roman Catholics for opposing one of President Bush's judicial nominees.

Cheney shot back an obscenity. He later confirmed to Fox News his use of the obscenity and said he felt better after saying it.

"It's a political season right now, where partisan feelings and emotions have come to the surface itself," Frist said when asked on CNN's "Late Edition" about the comment.

Despite that, he said, the Senate is doing its work well, avoiding gridlock that could result from a lineup of 51 Republicans, 48 Democrats and an independent. "We're delivering for the American people," Frist said.

"With regard to the vice president's comments, I did not hear the comments, did not witness the comments, but clearly they reflect a lot of that emotion," he said. "Without taking one side or the other, a lot of personal feelings are being expressed, and that emotion came out by the vice president, and I'll let the American people judge as to whether or not it was warranted."

Pressed whether he condones the use of such language in the Senate, Frist pointed out that the chamber was not in session at the time, "so I am not going to condone, I am not going to overly criticize the language that people in the -- the language that people use to express themselves."

On Saturday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said President Bush had no problem with his vice president's language. "It's not an issue with the president," McClellan said.



TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cheney; cuss; cussing; cussword; dumbparents; frist; fword; leahy; leaky
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To: Robert_Paulson2

I would give him a medal.


61 posted on 06/27/2004 10:46:46 AM PDT by cyborg
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To: kattracks

Looks like the top Republicans have clearly stated it : "That's it, the apology fad stops here!"

Finally!


62 posted on 06/27/2004 10:50:10 AM PDT by moodyskeptic (www.WinWithHumor.com)
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To: mattdono

Very well said!


63 posted on 06/27/2004 10:50:28 AM PDT by LisaMalia (In Memory of Sgt. James W."Billy" Lunsford..KIA 11-29-69 Binh Dinh S. Vietnam)
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To: cripplecreek

I think that ''Leaky'' Leahy got his nickname because of his leaking of classified intelligence in the 1980's.

In 1985 he leaked info about phone intercepts of Egyptian President Mubarak. The info had made possible the capture of terrorists associated with the hijacking of the Achille Lauro, but the leak by Leahy cost the life of at least one Egyptian operative.

He also leaked classified info about a secret 1986 effort by the Reagan administration against Kaddhafi in Libya.

Profanity may be cathartic, but the truth (not profanity) is what needs to be said about him and many others in Washington.


64 posted on 06/27/2004 10:51:03 AM PDT by Engraved-on-His-hands
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To: mattdono

are you directing thos comments to me?



NO WAY MAN>...

just the DU seminar poster and the "what will this do to my children" talking point line of crap.

I agree with you.
comment was about the posting "oh my children" stuff


65 posted on 06/27/2004 10:52:23 AM PDT by Robert_Paulson2 (the madridification of our election is now officially underway.)
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To: kattracks
Democrats = HATRIOTS

Hey Mr. Vice President, you tell 'em!

GREAT BIG BALLS!!!

66 posted on 06/27/2004 10:52:49 AM PDT by Nachum (HATRIOTS = LIBS)
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To: alnick
How bizarre that it's considered newsworthy that a 63-year-old man used a curse word in a private conversation.

As an affront to our sensibilities and a clear sign that the country is going in the wrong direction, this should be put right up there alongside Abu Ghraib. I'm sure the media recognizes this imoportant fact.

67 posted on 06/27/2004 10:54:20 AM PDT by Mad_Tom_Rackham (Face it. You're just not nuanced enough.)
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To: Robert_Paulson2
Cool. I wasn't sure for a sec (cuz' it was posted to me).

I think your latest post layeth the smacketh downeth on the candy asses 'round here.

Politics is pugilism. We need to bare-knuckle up and put these scumbags in their place.

The interesting thing about this whole situation: where's John Kerry? TE-HE!

68 posted on 06/27/2004 10:57:35 AM PDT by mattdono (To President Reagan: Rest now. Look in on us. Enjoy eternity. I'll see you again some day.)
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To: kattracks
Notice nobody has disputed that Leaky Lehey is an ass. It must be humiliating to the chatty senator.

The press may be struggling to make an issue, but mainstreet is praising the sentiment if not the actual single use of this expletive.
69 posted on 06/27/2004 10:58:50 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: kattracks; AUH2OY2K

"This remark was made during a private conversation. If you want to blame someone for "corrupting" the children, blame it on Leahy for whining about it and media for reporting it as world shattering news."


Even better, BLAME LEAHY for setting a bad example for children by

BEARING FALSE WITNESS

against the Vice President!


70 posted on 06/27/2004 10:59:39 AM PDT by adam_az (Call your State Republican Party office and VOLUNTEER!!!!)
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To: kattracks
This is the only part of this article that really scares me...
.."We're delivering for the American people"
71 posted on 06/27/2004 11:00:00 AM PDT by evad (What's BAD for democRATs is GOOD for America)
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To: cripplecreek
Come on, Bush, Chenay, and a whole lot of other people have put up with all of the Democratic Party lying, cheating, disruption, double dealing, and character assination long enough. It is about time someone told Leakey and the Democrats that the entire world does not love them. The only thing I would hope is that Frist develops a bit of spine, and starts treating the Dems like the slugs they are.
72 posted on 06/27/2004 11:01:31 AM PDT by BooBoo1000
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To: longtermmemmory

leahy really pi$$$eth me off.
he is like the kid in school that constantly picks a fight with other "good kids" and then runs to the principle, when 'johhny be good' kicks his aarse and bloodies his nose....

"LOOK WHAT JOHNNY DID TO ME, PRINCIPLE STOVERR... Waaaaaa ! Are you gonna send him home, give him whacks, or suspend him? My nose hurts! See it's bleeding!"

"Jeee tiny leahy, I dunno, perhaps I will give him a choclate sundae, because I saw YOU start it all, you little pr$ck!" replies principal stoverr.

Cheney nailed him, and he ran to the press... what a pu$$.
Cheney is a HERO.


73 posted on 06/27/2004 11:06:53 AM PDT by Robert_Paulson2 (the madridification of our election is now officially underway.)
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To: longtermmemmory

exactly right.


74 posted on 06/27/2004 11:07:43 AM PDT by Robert_Paulson2 (the madridification of our election is now officially underway.)
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To: cripplecreek; EvaClement

Leahy was thrown off the Senate Intelligence Committee in the 80s for leaking a draft report about the Reagan administration's support of the democratic freedom fighters in Nicaragua (Iran-Contra)


75 posted on 06/27/2004 11:10:03 AM PDT by evad (What's BAD for democRATs is GOOD for America)
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To: AUH2OY2K

Oh, get over yourself.


76 posted on 06/27/2004 11:51:10 AM PDT by Endeavor
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To: Engraved-on-His-hands

Oh, get over yourself, too.


77 posted on 06/27/2004 11:56:07 AM PDT by Endeavor
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To: kattracks
Cheney's outburst at Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., can be attributed to political passions aroused by the election year

Leahy wanted to play kissy-face after stabbing Cheney in the back. Cheney told him what do.

78 posted on 06/27/2004 12:09:08 PM PDT by Tom Bombadil (There are givers and takers. Be a giver and marry one.)
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To: Endeavor
So it's part of your character to use expletives. What a wonderful example you set. A true gold standard for all to follow.

The fact is that Cheney could have expressed himself better.We all know that Leahy is a devious scoundrel. There is no reason, however, for Cheney to engage in base language.
79 posted on 06/27/2004 12:39:33 PM PDT by AUH2OY2K
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To: adam_az
As for Leahy, I expect this from him as he is a Democrat. It is up to the conservatives to set the example for our children. Cheney, in this one instance, did not rise to the occasion.

If the situation were reversed and Leahy used an expletive regarding our Vice President, I'm sure many on this board would be claiming indignation.
80 posted on 06/27/2004 12:43:19 PM PDT by AUH2OY2K
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