Cheney is not to blame in any moral sense, but he handled this with poor political judgment. The "bunker mentality" can be very dangerous. I love the guy, but he needs to think about how people "think" in today's culture.
I hate that our President (and VP) have to think defensively in their decision-making, but they really do and unless the schools change, and the journalism environment with it, if the GOP remains in power then we have to get used to preempting the MSM and outflank them.