Interview of the Vice President by Martha Raddatz, ABC News

[Dictator]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080324-8.html




Q Mr. Vice President, I want to start with the milestone today of 4,000 dead in Iraq, Americans, and just what effect you think that has on the country. Your thoughts on that?


THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, it obviously brings home, I think for a lot of people, the cost that's involved in the global war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. It places a special burden, obviously, on the families. We recognize, I think -- it's a reminder of the extent to which we're blessed with families who have sacrificed as they have. The President carries the biggest burden, obviously; he's the one who has to make the decision to commit young Americans. But we are fortunate to have the group of men and women, the all-volunteer force, who voluntarily put on the uniform and go in harm's way for the rest of us. You wish nobody ever lost their life, but unfortunately it's one of those things that go with living in the world we live in. Sometimes you have to commit military force, and when you do, there are casualties.

[SkinsOrlando]

I take it you have a problem with Cheney's statement.

[zoony]

ummm... are we supposed to be reading your mind?


Allrighty then... I think you're upset at the over-use of commas and semi-colons in his statement.

[Buford]

I take it you have a problem with Cheney's statement.


I would think the actual families that had kids, siblings, parents killed, actually had the bigger burden there.

[portisizzle]

I guess he thinks the comment was self explainatory.

i for one would NEVER want the responsibility to send men and women in harms way. That is why I will never be a politician. And this is why most people underestimate the difficulty in doing the Presidents job.

[SkinsOrlando]

I would think the actual families that had kids, siblings, parents killed, actually had the bigger burden there.


I belive he's referring about the burden of the decision and the burden of responsibility of that decision.

[Dictator]

I belive he's referring about the burden of the decision and the burden of responsibility of that decision.

And thats larger than the burden of losing family?

[outbaksean]

And thats larger than the burden of losing family?
Yes

[SkinsOrlando]

And thats larger than the burden of losing family?


I would believe that knowing your decision will ultimately cause casualties is an extremely difficult burden. And trying to decide which degree of burden is worse on which party(President or Family) is nothing more than playing politics, which is what you're intention for this thread is.

[Buford]

Think about the other stuff Dick has said about the events over there.

This is in the same world as "Last Throes"


Remember this?



“I must tell you, I'm sleeping a lot better than people would assume,”

Huge burden right there.

[JohnLockesGhost]

I guess he thinks the comment was self explainatory.

i for one would NEVER want the responsibility to send men and women in harms way. That is why I will never be a politician. And this is why most people underestimate the difficulty in doing the Presidents job.

Did you vote for the war? You're responsible for its effects.

[Dictator]

I would believe that knowing your decision will ultimately cause casualties is an extremely difficult burden. And trying to decide which degree of burden is worse on which party(President or Family) is nothing more than playing politics, which is what you're intention for this thread is.

Not saying it's a weight I'd want on my shoulders, but the president does not bear the largest burden.
To say so is self-serving.

[SkinsOrlando]

Not saying it's a weight I'd want on my shoulders, but the president does not bear the largest burden.
To say so is self-serving.

How do you measure which burden is greater? You state plainly the President does not bear the biggest burden, none of us know, we're not in those shoes. It's your opinion, and my opinion again on why you started this thread is nothing more than you playing politics.

[Dictator]

and my opinion again on why you started this thread is nothing more than you playing politics.

And you defense of it is.....?

[SkinsOrlando]

And you defense of it is.....?


Defense of what? Or do you mean my argument for why I think your playing politics?

[Predicto]

I don't think there is anything wrong with this statement. Cheney is a Dick, but this statement does not add to his dickishness.

By the way, this kind of cheapshot parsing of a few words, pulled out of context, is not getting us anywhere. Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity may fire up their audience with this kind of nonsense, but most of us are immune to it.

[Buford]

I believe he's asking how you could defend the VP for making such a stupid statement that attempts to make the President's burden from this war, higher than the ones carried by families all over this country.

This is the President who said he wishes he was younger, so he could be over there. But, also the same guy who wasn't exactly raising his hand to go to war when he was a younger man.

Come on, lets be honest here.

"Last Throes", "So", and then this comment are just part of Cheney's love of America and everything she stands for.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2008/03/25/BL2008032501430_pf.html



That President Bush and Vice President Cheney live in a bubble of flattery and delusion, largely sheltered from the people who are actually suffering from the consequences of their actions, is not exactly news (http://www.google.com/search?q=froomkin+bubble+site%3Awashingtonpost.com ).

But perhaps nothing has crystallized their detachment and self-involvement so vividly as Cheney's assertion yesterday that when it comes to the war in Iraq, it is Bush -- not the soldiers and Marines who fight and die, or their families -- who is bearing the biggest burden.

And in an era where failing to support the troops is the ultimate political sin, Cheney's breezy dismissal of their sacrifice -- heck, they're volunteers, and dying goes with the territory -- was jaw-dropping even by the vice president's own tone-deaf standards.

Does Cheney really believe that Bush's burden is so great? The president tells people he's sleeping just fine, thank you, and in public appearances appears upbeat beyond all reason.

Or does Cheney simply have no idea what it means to go to war? He and Bush, after all, famously avoided putting themselves in the line of fire when it was their time.

Or are they just so wrapped up in themselves they can't see how ridiculous it is to even suggest such a thing?

Here's the transcript (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080324-8.html) of Cheney's interview yesterday with Martha Raddatz of ABC News -- his second (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2008/03/20/BL2008032001868.html) in less than a week. Here's a video clip (http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4515067&affil=wjla).

Raddatz: "Mr. Vice President, I want to start with the milestone today of 4,000 dead in Iraq, Americans, and just what effect you think that has on the country. Your thoughts on that?"

Cheney: "Well, it obviously brings home, I think for a lot of people, the cost that's involved in the global war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. It places a special burden, obviously, on the families. We recognize, I think -- it's a reminder of the extent to which we're blessed with families who have sacrificed as they have. The President carries the biggest burden, obviously; he's the one who has to make the decision to commit young Americans. But we are fortunate to have the group of men and women, the all-volunteer force, who voluntarily put on the uniform and go in harm's way for the rest of us. You wish nobody ever lost their life, but unfortunately it's one of those things that go with living in the world we live in. Sometimes you have to commit military force, and when you do, there are casualties."

PBS's Tavis Smiley (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tavis-smiley/my-conversation-with-gen_b_93203.html) asked retired Gen. Wesley Clark about Cheney's comment last night. Clark's response: "Well, I guess you could say he does bear an enormous burden of guilt and responsibility, for misdirecting the resources of the United States and for the travesty of going to war in Iraq . . . But that's not a burden that's anything like the burden these families bear when their loved ones are overseas, and they suffer losses, or they come back home and they've got post-traumatic stress disease and other problems, when the little kids don't recognize the parents when they come in the door because of the frequent deployments and so forth. This is an entirely different kind of burden. So I think that Vice President Cheney is not being fair to the men and women who serve. He should recognize the enormous sacrifices they're making."

Bush's Peace of Mind

This isn't the first time Bush White House officials have said things that suggest they just don't get what they've done or how lucky they are, relatively.

Last week, in a videoconference with U.S. military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan, Bush said that he envied them. Tabassum Zakaria (http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1333111120080313?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews) of Reuters quoted Bush as saying: "I must say, I'm a little envious. If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed. It must be exciting for you . . . in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger."

Last September, Bush told military bloggers that he wished he could be alongside the troops in Iraq -- except that he's too old (see my column, Bush's Battlefield Envy (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2007/09/17/BL2007091700952.html)).

At a June 14, 2007 White House briefing (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070614-2.html), then-press secretary Tony Snow insisted that Bush was on the front lines of the war "every day."

In April 2007, first lady Laura Bush asserted " no one suffers more (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2007/04/25/BL2007042501330.html)" than the president and she do when watching television footage of the carnage in Iraq.

And in January 2007, when PBS's Jim Lehrer (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/white_house/jan-june07/bush_01-16.html) asked the president about the notion of shared sacrifice, Bush responded: "Well, you know, I think a lot of people are in this fight. I mean, they sacrifice peace of mind when they see the terrible images of violence on TV every night. I mean, we've got a fantastic economy here in the United States, but yet, when you think about the psychology of the country, it is somewhat down because of this war."

Many presidential observers are amazed at how little this stuff seems to get to Bush.

People magazine asked Bush in December 2006 if he had trouble sleeping. As Karen Travers (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2006/12/bushs_first_com.html) blogged for ABC News, his response was: "I must tell you, I'm sleeping a lot better than people would assume."

That echoed statements Bush made in June 2005 to board members of the Radio-Television News Directors Association (http://www.rtnda.org/news/2005/050602b.shtml). "I'd say I'd spend most of my time worrying about right now people losing their life in Iraq. Both Americans and Iraqis," he said. But then he added: "You know, I don't worry all that much, other than what I just described to you. I attribute that to . . . I've got peace of mind. . . . I'm sleeping pretty good. Seriously. I get asked that. There's times when I hadn't been. I've got peace of mind."

Fred Barnes (http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/392vfocu.asp) wrote in the Weekly Standard just over a year ago: "Bush's relentlessly upbeat demeanor, which he flaunts at press conferences and other public events, infuriates his political opponents and much of the mainstream media. They want him to act like the broken man they think he should be. Sorry, but he's a healthy man, mentally and physically. He's bolstered by his religious faith, his sense of mission, his scorn for elite opinion, and what an aide calls 'his really good physical shape.' Exercise and sleep help to 'keep his spirits high,' the aide says."

Yesterday, as the American military death toll in Iraq passed 4,000, Bush's first public appearance was at the annual Easter Egg Roll (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080324-1.html), where he appeared in high spirits. Today he participated in a photo op with two bass-fishing champions (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080325.html). "There's nothing better than fishing," he said.

In between, however, he did say something about the war.

[Koolblue13]

I could accept the burden to choose to go to war and I think I would only pull the trigger for a just reason.

I can't imagine Bush feels he bears the greatest burden or we wouldn't be there.

[Dictator]

I don't think there is anything wrong with this statement. Cheney is a Dick, but this statement does not add to his dickishness.

By the way, this kind of cheapshot parsing of a few words, pulled out of context, is not getting us anywhere. Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity may fire up their audience with this kind of nonsense, but most of us are immune to it.

It's posted on the White House's own site.
It's the first question of the interview.
I posted the entire question and answer.

[SkinsOrlando]

It's posted on the White House's own site.
It's the first question of the interview.
I posted the entire question and answer.


And you chose to highlight a specific part for what purpose?

[Predicto]

It's posted on the White House's own site.
It's the first question of the interview.
I posted the entire question and answer.


I know. I just don't think a few words taken out of context mean anything. Not for Dick Cheney, not for Barack Obama, not for anyone. Cheney was not denigrating the soldiers or their families - he was highlighting the burden on the President. Any other reading is just excessive partisanship "Gotcha" stuff.

[Buford]

And you chose to highlight a specific part for what purpose?

Because that specific part is complete bull****. Even for a guy living in a bubble, that's bull****.

[SkinsOrlando]

Because that specific part is complete bull****. Even for a guy living in a bubble, that's bull****.


Save the "oh my god" "gotcha" BS. You should be glad he said something for you to get hysterical about, you live off it. Much like Predico stated, nothing in his statement is atrocious. It' only exists if you want it to, obviously you want it to.

[Buford]

The guy could flat out say "I don't care about who many die, as long as its nobody I know" and I think you would try to dance around it.

Its a stupid thing to say, and it shows how little they understand about what families really give with this war.

That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

[SkinsOrlando]

The guy could flat out say "I don't care about who many die, as long as its nobody I know" and I think you would try to dance around it.

Its a stupid thing to say, and it shows how little they understand about what families really give with this war.

That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.


Dance around it? Please show where I'm dancing. I acknowledged he said it, I also believe he hasn't stated anything to be hysterical about. I also believe it's to be taken in context. You however are waiting to point fingers at any chance you get, you're a Nelson Munce of politics, ha ha, gotcha.

[Popeman38]

I believe he's asking how you could defend the VP for making such a stupid statement that attempts to make the President's burden from this war, higher than the ones carried by families all over this country.As someone who served, the family has the comfort of knowing their loved on died doing what they loved - serving their country. Regardless of your stance on the war, that has to provide a certain amount of comfort.
This is the President who said he wishes he was younger, so he could be over there. But, also the same guy who wasn't exactly raising his hand to go to war when he was a younger man.And here you expose your anti-Bush bias for what it is.

[Predicto]

The guy could flat out say "I don't care about who many die, as long as its nobody I know" and I think you would try to dance around it.


I would?

[Dan T.]

Come on, Cheney's talking about two different things: the sacrifice families make, and the burden on a President who must decide whether to send young men and women into harm's way. He's not comparing the two.

This is misplaced outrage over nothing.

[Buford]

Not you, Predicto.

and Popeman...... I guess I have. But, he's the one who said what he said, and did what he did. Nobody made him.

[Popeman38]

Not you, Predicto.

and Popeman...... I guess I have. But, he's the one who said what he said, and did what he did. Nobody made him.There is a difference b/w what burden the families of the dead have to bare, and the burden the President has to bare for sending those young soldiers to their death. Nobody else has to bare the same burden as Bush in that respect. I really don't think the VP was trying to slight what the families have to go through.

And don't take my defense in this matter as me liking Bush. Count me as one who is ready for him to leave office.

[Buford]

Look, I have a nice long history here of disliking the President.

I also have a history of liking McCain.

Whoever replaces this admin is going to be better just by default I believe.

But, I think the VP has been on a roll lately, and statements like this just show how truely disconnected this admin is from reality.

[Popeman38]

But, I think the VP has been on a roll lately, and statements like this just show how truely disconnected this admin is from reality.You are looking for offensive content. If you are looking for it, you will find it - even if it is not really there. This comment meant that the President bares the burden of having sent those 4,000 to their death in a war. It was not intended to slight the families of the deceased.

[Buford]

The question was about deaths. The VP answered that question.

I'm of the opinion that the people over there fighting, and their families carry a much bigger burden than the President could ever imagine.

[portisizzle]

Did you vote for the war? You're responsible for its effects.

Who was responsible for allowing Hitler to get as far as did????

Who was responsibile for allowing to get so bad that we were forced to land on Normandy?

[Popeman38]

The question was about deaths. The VP answered that question.

I'm of the opinion that the people over there fighting, and their families carry a much bigger burden than the President could ever imagine.No, the question was what he thought the affect of 4,000 dead Americans was on the country:
Q Mr. Vice President, I want to start with the milestone today of 4,000 dead in Iraq, Americans, and just what effect you think that has on the country. Your thoughts on that?And the VP went on to answer that question, and added what I have bolded in addition to the part you bolded:
Well, it obviously brings home, I think for a lot of people, the cost that's involved in the global war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. It places a special burden, obviously, on the families. We recognize, I think -- it's a reminder of the extent to which we're blessed with families who have sacrificed as they have. The President carries the biggest burden, obviously; he's the one who has to make the decision to commit young Americans. But we are fortunate to have the group of men and women, the all-volunteer force, who voluntarily put on the uniform and go in harm's way for the rest of us. You wish nobody ever lost their life, but unfortunately it's one of those things that go with living in the world we live in. Sometimes you have to commit military force, and when you do, there are casualties.Now, if you examine the question and the answer in context, there is this line:
I think -- it's a reminder of the extent to which we're blessed with families who have sacrificed as they have.To claim that he is slighting the families of the deceased, when he clearly sights them as having paid a sacrifice with their loved one's life, is disingenuous. The claim that he makes in the bolded portion of his answer makes it clear that the President bares the weight of every one of the 4,000 dead because he ordered them to go, and they proceeded to die. The families do not bare this weight. The did not send John Q Public from Green Bay, WI to go to Iraq.

[JohnLockesGhost]

Who was responsible for allowing Hitler to get as far as did????

Who was responsibile for allowing to get so bad that we were forced to land on Normandy?

I'm not sure how every topic turns into one about Hitler, but I'd say the German people were most responsible for allowing the Nazi party to gain power.

Now back to your responsibility: If you voted for Bush and have supported the war then YOU made the decision to send troops into Iraq. This is a democracy we live in.

Don't duck your responsibility by saying you couldn't have made that call like Bush did. You DID make that call. Own up to it.

[Popeman38]

Now back to your responsibility: If you voted for Bush and have supported the war then YOU made the decision to send troops into Iraq. This is a democracy we live in.

Don't duck your responsibility by saying you couldn't have made that call like Bush did. You DID make that call. Own up to it.So, did all the people who voted for Clinton get BJs in the Oval Office? :silly: :laugh: :doh:

Jokes people!

[portisizzle]

I'm not sure how every topic turns into one about Hitler, but I'd say the German people were most responsible for allowing the Nazi party to gain power.

Now back to your responsibility: If you voted for Bush and have supported the war then YOU made the decision to send troops into Iraq. This is a democracy we live in.

Don't duck your responsibility by saying you couldn't have made that call like Bush did. You DID make that call. Own up to it.

America voted for Bush. My state (Maryland) voted for Kerry and Gore.

That same country that voted Bush twice, is getting ready to vote for President again.

Do you have a problem with this?

[portisizzle]

So, did all the people who voted for Clinton get BJs in the Oval Office? :silly: :laugh: :doh:

Jokes people!



:laugh:

[JohnLockesGhost]

America voted for Bush. My state (Maryland) voted for Kerry and Gore.

That same country that voted Bush twice, is getting ready to vote for President again.

Do you have a problem with this?

A problem with what? Voting for Bush? Yes.