I would agree with every point in your post.
After seeing him the other night, one does get the urge to see him extend his public service, but I don't see him yearning to do so.
In that I think the left misses a massive object lesson. This man is not consumed with the persuit of power. I believe he joined the Bush ticket to solidify it and move the nation in a positve direction. That is admirable, not damnable.
"not consumed with the pursuit of power"
Wow! That's such a great point!
I think Cheney would have been happy in any position. I always felt Cheney got involved because he saw the potential of leadership which had been sorely missing in America for 8 years.
However, since the left never does anything that isn't in the pursuit of power .. I doubt they'd get the point.