[snugs]

Interesting analysis, I thought like you he was more relaxed in this interview and opened up more actually for him quite a lot.

It is said that GWB does not like the press or interviews by the press IMHO Dick Cheney normally dislikes them even more.

I think with Larry King they have known each a long time and I suspect that Dick Cheney feels semi "safe" with him.

Like you I agree he answered the Amnesty International boo hoo ha well.

The question about Mary we already discussed last night and agreed that it was handled well on both sides.

John Bolton I am just waiting for the comments that this is really a Dick Cheney appointment and not a GWB one (in fact I have been waiting for that scream for weeks).

Yes Lynne Cheney did get let off on that one IMHO there is an element with her that wants to be first lady but she knows it is not going to happen. I agree with you Dick does not want to be President I think he feels restricted enough already as Vice President and previously as Defense Secretary. I suppose though once having been Vice President you will always be under some form of protection.

I also suspect that they have an idea of what they want to do in 2009 apart from Dick's fishing and maybe writing a book. That was interesting that was the first time he alluded that there might be one he has always firmly said no, I wonder if he has been persuaded either by friends or family that he should not shut the door on that option. Also I wonder whether they are thinking or Lynn in particular by that time Liz maybe thinking of running for something Lynne has always said she might be interested in helping run a campaign for her daughter or granddaughter in the future.

I am certain that Dick will not completely disappear from the political arena in as much I am certain the press will want to interview him on certain issues and I could imagine him being in great demand still for fund raising and after dinner speaking he will probably make another fortune at that.

As you say Dick Cheney most certainly does love the military he well could get involved in a more active role in a military charity once he retires. IMHO I think he will want to do something other than fishing he has an amazing active brain and he will want to keep that ticking over. Here is a thought maybe impossible but something that I have always thought he may wish to do possibly a pipe dream but I certain if it was possible he would like to do it. And that is complete his doctorate after all Lynne got hers but he dropped out he says mainly because he could not decide what his final dissitation was to be and also of course he entered the political world instead.

On to what you thought were the worse questions, of course the standard one about the President and him disagreeing he answered it in the only way he can. Though I always get the impression that he does give his point of view and certainly when it is just the 2 of them would not meekly say yes Mr President if he totally disagreed. I would think they would agree to differ which of course would mean the President view would be adopted.

I think also he could have got more out of him on the private and public life question though body language IMHO said much especially when Lynne joined them you could immediately tell he took pleasure in her company. IMHO they have a very close relationship and couple of things Lynne said I would think indicates that they have grown closer during his time as VP.

There was no over the top reaction to Lynne which would have looked forced but a comfortable easy yet something much more almost a zing when she appeared. I suspect in private there is even more of a zing. I think that Larry King respects them and values the fact that he manages to get interviews with Dick Cheney too much to push this question.

Here is an interesting question. We have over the years thought of the States as a much more informal country than England and the impression I get from Americans they think of us as stuffed shirts.

I think though this is changing especially in dealing with public figures. Your reporters, interviewers etc always seem to be most correct in addressing your politicians, Mr President, Mr Vice President, Mr Secretary, Congressman etc. in the UK if the reporter/interviewer know them well he will use their first name as will other politicians both in person and when just referring to them. For example there are certain reporters that will call Tony Blair just Tony the same with politicians certainly those in the cabinet yet you always here the American counterparts even though you know they know each other personally give them their title.

There seems more respect for the position if not necessarily the person in America.

I remember back in 2001 that Larry King accidentally called the VP Dick and then tried to apologise and the VP told he it was OK as they had known each other so long and that it was OK to call him Dick. I did not notice him refer to the VP as anything in this interview though I did not see the start certainly he referred to Lynne as Lynne. Maybe he felt better not referring to the VP as any title as I am certain off camera it would have been Dick. Interesting what is your take on this and the difference in the 2 countries?

[anonymoussierra]

"Vice President Dick Cheney
Vice President Richard B. Cheney has had a distinguished career as a businessman and public servant, serving four Presidents and as an elected official. Throughout his service, Mr. Cheney served with duty, honor, and unwavering leadership, gaining him the respect of the American people during trying military times.

Mr. Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 30, 1941 and grew up in Casper, Wyoming. He earned his bachelor's and master's of arts degrees from the University of Wyoming. His career in public service began in 1969 when he joined the Nixon Administration, serving in a number of positions at the Cost of Living Council, at the Office of Economic Opportunity, and within the White House.

When Gerald Ford assumed the Presidency in August 1974, Mr. Cheney served on the transition team and later as Deputy Assistant to the President. In November 1975, he was named Assistant to the President and White House Chief of Staff, a position he held throughout the remainder of the Ford Administration.

After he returned to his home state of Wyoming in 1977, Mr. Cheney was elected to serve as the state's sole Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was re-elected five times and elected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee from 1981 to 1987. He was elected Chairman of the House Republican Conference in 1987 and elected House Minority Whip in 1988. During his tenure in the House, Mr. Cheney earned a reputation as a man of knowledge, character, and accessibility.

Mr. Cheney also served a crucial role when America needed him most. As Secretary of Defense from March 1989 to January 1993, Mr. Cheney directed two of the largest military campaigns in recent history - Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East. He was responsible for shaping the future of the U.S. military in an age of profound and rapid change as the Cold War ended. For his leadership in the Gulf War, Secretary Cheney was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush on July 3, 1991.

Mr. Cheney married his high school sweetheart, Lynne Ann Vincent, in 1964, and they have grown daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, three granddaughters and one grandson."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident